Kilmarnock close out frustrating season with disappointing home defeat to Hearts
A late Stephen Kingsley goal was the difference at Rugby Park
Kilmarnock rounded out their season with a frustrating 1-0 defeat against Hearts in a contest that summed up their campaign.
The hosts had plenty of chances and controlled much of the play, only to come away empty-handed thanks to defensive dithering that allowed Stephen Kingsley to net a late winner.
Derek McInnes, still technically Killie boss but set to complete a move to the Tynecastle side, was nowhere to be seen and in truth that saw much of the energy sapped from what could have been a fervent atmosphere inside Rugby Park.
And, in truth, the action on the field for large spells reflected a game which had little riding on it.
Killie started on the front foot and created the game's first chance. Good work from skipper Kyle Vassell down the wing led to the striker teeing up David Watson but his effort was blocked.
Hearts, meanwhile, mustered a couple of half chances with Cammy Devlin dragging a strike wide moments after Stephen Kingsley carried the ball forward before firing comfortably over from 25 yards.
Having missed the previous two games through injury, Zander Clark was recalled to the starting line-up for Hearts - only to hobble off injured after 20 minutes and be replaced by Ryan Fulton.
Hearts began to have more of the possession and they fashioned an opportunity when Alan Forrest produced a trademark cut-in from the right flank looking to curl a left-footed effort into the far corner, but placed his effort straight into the arms of Robby McCrorie.
The game swung in Killie's favour just before the half-time interval as Hearts were reduced to 10 men. Initially awarded a free-kick on the edge of the Killie box following Stuart Findlay's challenge on Yan Dhanda, whistler Don McFarlane showed the Hearts man a red card for serious foul play following a VAR check.
The home side almost took immediate advantage as Danny Armstrong flashed an angled drive inches wide in the closing moments of the half.
Interim gaffer Chris Burke elected for an attacking change during the break with top scorer Bruce Anderson replacing Findlay. And the striker almost made an immediate impact as he powered a header on goal in the opening minute, but straight at Fulton. The sub was proving a threat and at the centre of Killie's attacking play. He teed up Fraser Murray on 61 minutes, only for the winger to blaze wide.
Hearts then enjoyed a moment in the ascendency with McCrorie called into action to deny Calem Nieuwenhof and Cammy Devlin - the latter save being a fine stop to tip a fizzing strike over the bar.
Killie squandered the best chance of the game on 72 minutes as Vassell played in Marley Watkins, with the veteran striker cutting the ball back for the onrushing Murray - who duly blazed over when he looked certain to find the net.
Young Cole Burke, 16, was introduced for the final 20 minutes or so for his home debut, having featured as a late sub in the midweek loss to Motherwell, and the teenager showed few nerves and plenty of hope for the future with an energetic display. The winger wasn't afraid to take on defenders and charge forward, but he wasn't able to provide a late spark that would have given Killie the perfect send-off to a frustrating season.
The decisive moment arrived in the 89th minute and was a goal that looked all too familiar during the season as keeper McCrorie failed to take charge of a bouncing ball, while the defenders failed to clear their lines leading to Kingsley netting off the woodwork.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
5 hours ago
- BBC News
Club World Cup officials must be 'braver'
International referees' chief Pierluigi Collina has told officials to be "braver" with their offside decisions at the Club World Cup despite the introduction of speeded up semi-automated offside (SAO) enhanced SAO is programmed to notify assistant referees immediately with an 'offside, offside' message in their ear when a player who is more than 10cm offside touches the is quicker than the current SAO technology, which has to take into account actual positions before making a was only introduced into the Premier League on 12 April, before which the video assistant referee (VAR) made all offside is one of a number of initiatives that will be used at the Club World Cup in the United States, which starts on Sunday. Others include:Referees wearing body cams that allow live pictures to be shown immediately before the eight-second countdown for goalkeepers to release the making in-stadium announcements to explain VAR decisions, and the VAR pictures being shown to fans in real time inside the ground. The introduction of the enhanced SAO comes a month after Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi suffered a serious abdominal injury after crashing into a post during their Premier League draw against had been chasing the ball despite a clear offside that had not been the aftermath, Awoniyi's team-mate Ola Aina said the injury "would never have happened" had the assistant referee raised their flag enhanced element of SAO will not work in situations where a player who doesn't play the ball is offside, or in a crowded situation, so Collina says officials need the courage of their convictions."Since the very beginning we have told the assistant referee 'in case of doubt, keep the flag down'," said Collina, the Italian World Cup final referee who is now chairman of world governing body Fifa's referees' committee."If you raise the flag, it kills everything, including the possibility that the VAR can help you."But we are aware this has led to some consequences."Probably the assistant referees went a bit far. What was a doubt became bigger and bigger and bigger. There are possible offside incidents where top assistant referees, as there are in many competitions around the world, would not have this doubt."Despite the introduction of this [technology] we have also reminded our assistant referees to be a bit braver and more courageous in putting the flag up when the offside is offside. Two metres offside cannot lead to a doubt." Countdown for goalkeepers A new plan to speed up the game will be implemented both at the Club World Cup and the European Under-21 Championship, in which referees will only allow goalkeepers eight seconds to release the time will start once the goalkeeper has control of the ball. After three seconds, the referee will raise his hand in the air and count down from five to notify the goalkeeper he has to release. If he fails, the attacking side will be awarded a believes it will largely be a preventative measure and said a corner had been awarded twice in 160 games when it was trialled in South he feels it necessary given the amount of time some goalkeepers are taking to release the ball."The referees should be flexible," he said. "If a goalkeeper has the ball for 8.1 seconds it is not necessarily a corner."But we have had a lot of instances of goalkeepers keeping the ball for 25 seconds. There is nothing entertaining about that." VAR decisions explained but discussions won't be heard As in previous Fifa tournaments, the on-pitch referee will communicate VAR decisions and the reasons for them to supporters inside the the first time, fans at the match will be able to see the replays the officials are being there will still be no broadcast of the actual discussions taking place in the VAR is urging patience to those who cannot understand why football is not yet implementing something commonplace in other sports like rugby, cricket and all the major American sports."I cannot tell you if something more might be added in the future," he said. "But we need to do it when we are sure this will not affect the decision-making process."When they are doing their job, which is very difficult, the VARs and the referees are under pressure. Knowing everyone is listening may add some pressure."We are a work in process. We have not to forget that although VAR feels as though it has existed forever, the first match with it was 2016."We have to be patient." Live images from bodycams - but only before game Fifa have pledged to show live images from the referees' bodycams - which will be attached to their earpieces - before the game, both in the tunnel and during the warm-up and coin there will be no live images shown during the game and anything controversial or in bad taste, such as a player suffering a nasty injury, will not the images would be available to VAR, Collina cannot see how a camera next to a referee's eye would detect something the official had it will do, Fifa believe, is show the game from a unique vantage point and "enhance the storytelling".To that end, it is an entertainment concept."That is clear," said Collina.
Edinburgh Reporter
6 hours ago
- Edinburgh Reporter
Hibs duo help Socceroos to World Cup qualification
Hibs duo Martin Boyle and Lewis Miller both started for the Socceroos yesterday in their 2-1 victory over Asian powerhouse Saudi Arabia in front of 24,620 spectators at the King Abdullah Sports Complex in Jeddah. The victory ensures qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Abdulrahman Al-Aboud opened the scoring in the 19th minute before Connor Metcalfe's first goal for his country on the stroke of half-time restored parity. Three minutes after the restart Boyle sent a tremendous free-kick into the danger area and Mitch Duke headed the ball into the net. Saudi Arabia's Ali Majrashi was then shown a red card for bringing down Boyle as the last defender but after a lengthy VAR check the red card was overturned and Saudi Arabia was allowed to continue with 11 men. Saudi passed up the chance to equalise with an 82nd minute penalty but Matt Ryan, winning his 100th cap saved Salem Al-Dawsari's effort. Like this: Like Related
Scottish Sun
6 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Hearts ‘make transfer offer' for Nigerian striker, 19, amid Lawrence Shankland exit rumours
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HEARTS have made an offer for a Nigerian teenage striking sensation, a report suggests. Derek McInnes is keen to add centre-forwards to his squad ahead of the new season, with the increasing likelihood that Lawrence Shankland could be leaving Tynecastle. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Derek McInnes is eyeing up some reinformcements for the new season Credit: SNS 2 Uchenna Ogundu is only 19 but Jamestown Analytics have been tracking him Credit: Uchenna Ogundu SunSport understands the Scotland cap has remained in talks with the Jambos about a possible contract extension but with interest from West Brom and Saudi Arabia, it will take a lot to tempt him to stay in Edinburgh. It's being reported that Hearts have put forward an offer to sign Uchenna Ogundu from Turkish second-tier side Sanliurfaspor. The Edinburgh Evening News claims the 19-year-old is wanted by a host of clubs across Europe, both on the continent and in the UK. Hull City, Sturm Graz, Fortuna Sittard and Gornik Zabrze have all been mentioned as interested parties. Turkish giants Fenerbahce and fellow Super Lig outfit Samsunspor have also been credited with interest. It's claimed that Fenerbahce would view him as more of a project and could potentially let the player leave on loan, keeping the door open for a move to Hearts. Ogundu has two years remaining on his contract at Sanliurfaspor. The same outlet also reported that the Jambos are in talks with Portuguese striker Claudio Braga. He could cost around in excess of £400,000 from Norwegian second-tier side Aalesund FK. Ogundu moved to Turkey last August from Diamond Academy in his native Nigeria. Robbie Neilson Released by Rangers, finding a home at Hearts, and splitting the Old Firm He scoring six goals and provided two assists in 19 appearances for Sanliurfaspor after making his debut in January. The Jambos' recruitment partner Jamestown Analytics have reportedly been monitoring the striker for some time. Ogundu stands at 6ft 2in tall and can also play as a right winger. SunSport also understands McInnes is close to completing a deal for trusted defender Stuart Findlay. The big centre-back started his career at Celtic as a youngster before heading down south to join Newcastle in 2016 - after loan spells at Morton, Dumbarton and Kilmarnock. He then became a key player under McInnes over the last two years. Hearts have already pushed through the signings of Norwegian right-back Christian Borchgrevink, Greek wide man Alexandros Kyziridis and Irish midfielder Oisin McEntee, whilst making Belgian striker Elton Kabangu's loan a permanent transfer. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
