That comparison could never be flattering, given Burley’s blitzing start to the season which began here in July with a 4-2 victory. With Edgaras Jankauskas and Roman Bednar injured there was never the threat of as many goals yesterday, and Kilmarnock have tightened up since too. In the late, inevitable siege they were under greater threat from their own sliced clearances than any incisions from Hearts.
After his defence stood firm in front of him, Alan Combe could crow by cupping his ears to the visiting fans. That inflammatory gesture brought a reprimand from Craig Gordon, his opposite number. “I wouldn’t like to do that to opposing fans,” explained Gordon, “but he does get a bit of stick about being a Hibs fan or whatever it is. I did have a word then I thought about it and decided the right thing to do was shake hands, win, lose or draw.”
The match was often rowdy, contrasting with the serenity of the minute’s silence for Wallace Mercer, Hearts’ former owner, which was impeccably observed. After that respect, Kilmarnock had revenge on their minds for the Scottish Cup defeat at Tynecastle a fortnight ago. Jim Jefferies, their manager, had taken note of an observation by Rix that if both teams played well, Hearts would win, and relayed it to his players.
They certainly played with some fire in their bellies to the delight of the home support. Among various chopping tackles in the first half, two were notable. David Lilley welcomed Neil McCann back to Scottish football with a challenge of brutal legitimacy on 23 minutes that left the winger lame with a knee knock, and he was soon hirpling off to be replaced by Jamie McAllister. Moments later, on the opposite flank, Steven Naismith caught Robbie Neilson late and was booked after being surrounded by angry Hearts players. It was the first of many such scenes.
It was an uncharacteristic contribution from the Kilmarnock winger, the best player on the field in the first half with a performance befitting his slight resemblance to Damien Duff. He regularly tormented Neilson with his delicate skills, drawing a free-kick from the full-back, which Garry Hay curled at the top corner and Gordon tipped over, and then a booking when Neilson barged him blatantly to the ground after being left in his wake. Hearts’ best chance came after a Michal Pospisil snapshot was parried by Combe and Calum Elliot couldn’t adjust his feet quickly enough to convert the loose ball from six yards.
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Their problems increased 30 seconds into the second half when Danny Invincibile gave Kilmarnock the lead. He took his chance well after Colin Nish’s attempt broke to him off Takis Fyssas in the box, and Kilmarnock should have extended that advantage with two minutes left. Gary Wales skinned Neilson, evading a rugby tackle from the full-back who then attempted to handle the ball into the bargain, and squared to Nish, but the striker hit the post.
Hearts’ attempted response was fractured by their increasing indiscipline. Elliot was booked for angrily pursuing Hay for the ball, and then nodded the resulting free-kick from McAllister narrowly wide. In midfield, Julien Brellier was on the verge of a red card, haranguing the officials, fouling and playacting when he should have been using his skills to set up an equaliser. Nerijus Barasa, who replaced Saulius Mikoliunas at half-time, was another antagonist yet almost stretched to a Deividas Cesnauskis cross near the end. An equaliser would have been more than Hearts deserved, though.
STAR MAN: Steven Naismith (Kilmarnock)
Player ratings. Kilmarnock: Combe 6, Lilley 6, Ford 7, Wright 7, Hay 7, Invincibile 7, Fowler 7, Johnston 7, Naismith 8, Nish 6 (McDonald 90min, 6), Wales 7
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Hearts: Gordon 7, Neilson 5, Webster 6, Berra 5, Fyssas 5 (Cesnauskis 72min, 6), Mikoliunas 5 (Barasa h-t, 6), Brellier 6, Hartley 6, McCann 5 (McAllister 24min, 5), Elliot 5, Pospisal 6
Booked: Naismith 22, Neilson 38, Barasa 53, Elliot 59, Brellier 70, Hay 82
Referee: S Conroy
Attendance: 8,811