Hearts came back from the break with a bang to secure their first Tynecastle win against Kilmarnock for six years.
Josh Ginnelly sent the Jambos on their way before Lawrence Shankland bagged a double – including a late spot kick to settle any nerves after Ash Taylor pulled one back – to sink the Rugby Park men in these parts for the first time since 2016. Killie were unbeaten in seven visits to the capital with six wins and a draw, but Robbie Neilson’s men were good value in ending the hoodoo.
Hearts should have been out of sight before Killie’s spirited late fightback but it took guts to get over the line. The Ayrshire outfit’s afternoon started to head south before a ball was even kicked, with striker Innes Cameron pulling his hamstring in the warm-up. Youngster Bobby Wales was lobbed in but the Rugby Park side’s problems were at the other end of the pitch.
Hearts quickly took a grip of the game early and were soon ahead when Ginnelly pounced after 19 minutes. The finish was smart as he brilliantly picked his spot in the bottom corner but the defending was woeful on the way as he was teed up by Joe Wright’s weak header back.
The attacker flashed one across the face soon after as Killie buckled and the second arrived soon after. Andy Halliday was inches away from winning a penalty after being caught by Liam Donnelly but Snodgrass sent over the perfect delivery for Shankland to nod home while the Killie defence were AWOL.
The flag denied Hearts a third after Alex Cochrane’s effort was ruled out despite VAR having a peak and it at least gave the visitors some hope after the break. Sam Walker kept them in it with a cracking low save from a Halliday rasper but they did come close to grabbing a lifeline when Danny Armstrong got in behind to pick out Wright charging in, but Craig Gordon produced an impressive point-blank stop.
Hearts should have been coasting with Michael Smith and Cochrane both firing wide – and they paid the price when Killie did pull one back when Taylor drifted in at the back post to tuck away. The visitors had a go but Hearts responded and the win was in the bag when Shankland slammed home a spot kick in the final few minutes after Wright handled in the box.
Fresh start for Hearts
Now we’ll see what Hearts are all about. It was a tough start to the season for the Jambos with European games and injuries stretching the squad to the very limit.
But one look at the team sheet against Killie and it’s easy to see why a lot of folk believe Robbie Neilson’s men are stick-ons to finish third in the Premiership. There’s quality in the starting XI and on the bench, with Nathaniel Atkinson, Tony Sibbick and Alan Forrest kept in reserve but good enough to walk into most top flight teams.
The likes of Craig Halkett and Robert Snodgrass are fit and firing and even with Liam Boyce out long term, there’s goals in this side and they look solid at the back. Hearts look well-equipped to come out on top in the fight to be best of the rest.
Snoddy goes deep
Robert Snodgrass was a top drawer signing after a stellar career as an attacker. But his role against Killie was interesting.
The former Scotland man was much deeper than expected. He was almost in a holding midfielder position, but acted more of a quarterback. He was able to pick passes from deep and release others as runners.
The likes of Andy Halliday seem to relish it as he was able to use his energy and pace to burst into the box from wide on the left. Halliday has been in superb form for Jambos this season and was bang on it again today; meanwhile, Snodgrass has the bite and the ability to succeed in this latest incarnation.
Killie's Christmas gifts
Hearts were slick and quick but Kilmarnock didn’t half give them a helping hand at times. Joe Wright made a hash of the crucial opening goal at Tynecastle and the defending didn’t get much better for the second when Lawrence Shankland was allowed a free header.
Killie have not had much luck up front with Kyle Lafferty talking himself into a long term ban and Innes Cameron getting crocked in the warm-up in Gorgie. But they need to get back to basics at the back. They struggled at the start of the season but looked to have sorted the defence for a while.
Killie's second half show was full of spirit and they created chances, but they were left with too much to do. Ash Taylor and Wright are experienced centre backs who can do the business and they’ll need to tighten up as they are facing a tough festive run and brutal start to 2023 with the Old Firm back to back early in January.
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