Hibs consolidated sixth place in the Scottish Premiership after a hard-fought win over Kilmarnock at a windy Rugby Park this afternoon.
Head Coach Jack Ross kept faith with the same starting XI that beat Ross County in midweek, playing a 3-5-2- formation.
Hibs started brightly in the difficult conditions and both Joe Newell and Vykintas Slivka had efforts blocked.
The visitors eventually took a deserved lead in the 27th minute when Martin Boyle curled in a cross which Marc McNulty hit towards goal. The ball spun on the touchline and the wind held it up allowing Newell to find Greg Docherty who cut inside and curled a tremendous shot which flew into the top corner of the net.
Kilmarnock responded immediately when Chris Burke stooped to head home a mishit shot from Niko Hamalainen after the Hibs’ defenders were unable to clear the ball.
Just before the break Hibs regained the lead after Boyle was chopped down near the right touchline.
Newell’s free-kick was headed goalwards by McNulty and the ball deflected off a Kilmarnock defender into the path of Adam Jackson whose half-volley bounced over Jan Koprivec into the net.
The hosts dominated the second half and Newell had to leave the field with an injury just after the restart. He was replaced by Lewis Stevenson.
Stephane Omeonga then replaced Vykintas Slivka in the Hibs’ midfield.
Eamon Brophy had an effort blocked before Ofir Marciano produced an acrobatic save to deny Stephen O’Donnell.
Scott Allan was replaced by Daryl Horgan but it was the visitors who continued to press forward with Hibs content to hit on the break.
The Hibs’ defence had to deal with a series of corner kicks and did so effectively
The Kilmarnock players had an appeal for a late penalty when Jackson appeared to hold Dario Del Fabro but referee Alan Muir waved play on and Hibs moved four points clear of their opponents and only one behind fifth placed Livingston.
Kilmarnock: Koprivec, O’Donnell, Findlay, De Fabro, Hamalainen, Burke, Power, Dicker, McKenzie, Kabamba, Brophy. Subs: Johnson, Kiltie, Broadfoot, Millen, Lyle, Connell
Hibs: Marciano, McGinn, Jackson, Hanlon, Boyle, Slivka, Docherty, Newell, Allan, Doidge, McNulty. Subs: Bogdan, Horgan, Stevenson, McGregor, Murray, Omeonga, Gullan
Referee Alan Muir
Attendance 5370
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
