Kilmarnock prove they can be Invincibile

Jim Black
Sunday January 22, 2006
The Observer

Hearts missed out on an opportunity to make up ground on leaders Celtic, who are in action this afternoon at Motherwell, after being found wanting on their visit to Ayrshire. When the going got tough it was Kilmarnock who proved more adept at coping with the demands of a psychical encounter that was not for the squeamish.

Kilmarnock triumphed by dint of a Danny Invincibile goal scored while the half-time pies were still being digested. But the nature of Hearts' defeat, as much as the result itself, suggest that they lack the credentials of potential champions. Hearts were unable to style their approach to counteract their rivals' spirited play and without their inspirational captain, Steven Pressley, who was suspended, appeared vulnerable.

Indeed, Kilmarnock's victory should have been more emphatic, for they missed a snip two minutes from time when Colin Nish hit the ball straight at Craig Gordon when he had the entire goal to aim at. But it hardly mattered. Kilmarnock and their fans were delighted simply to have won and denied Hearts yet another win over them this season.

Kilmarnock had a point to prove and the score was settled after suffering three successive defeats by their Edinburgh rivals previously this season. Initially, the home team's fans were heartened by the sight of Kilmarnock attacking with gusto, leading to Garry Hay trying his luck in the second minute with a 30-yard shot. But once Hearts had settled into the game they quickly subdued Kilmarnock's aggressive instincts and adopted an attacking policy.

Neil McCann, the former Rangers and Southampton winger who was making his debut for Hearts, set up a promising chance for Calum Elliot in the eleventh minute, but the striker failed to make the most of his opportunity, shooting wide.

Alan Combe was then forced to make a save from Michael Pospisal as Hearts increased the pressure on their hosts. But the visiting team had to reorganise their game plan after 24 minutes when McCann limped off after a robust challenge by David Lilley and was replaced by Jamie McAllister.

The tenacity of the tackles and the aggressive nature of the contest had the crowd in a lather at times, although the exchanges were perhaps not as malicious as some would have had you believe. Kilmarnock rediscovered their attacking flair after McCann had departed and Hearts survived a second anxious moment when Hay executed a near-perfect free-kick. Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon had to stretch to tip the ball over the bar in the 34th minute of what had developed into an engrossing encounter.

There was no clear evidence that Kilmarnock missed the presence of their former goalscorer-in-chief Kris Boyd, who had transferred his allegiance to Rangers, but they would, have welcomed the striker's presence all the same.

Hearts, who appeared not to relish Kilmarnock's whole-hearted physical approach, had further cause to be concerned within one minute of the restart. Kilmarnock struck speedily and effectively to take the lead before Hearts had an opportunity to gain a foothold.

There was an element of good fortune about the goal in as much that Colin Nish's attempted pass to Invincibile was missing the target until the ball struck a defender and was deflected into the Aus- tralian's path. Invincibile duly dispatched the ball under Gordon's body with a right foot shot from six-yards. Tempers increasingly flared and the game threatened to run out of referee Steve Conroy's control when a melee developed a short time later. Mercifully, it did not amount to much.

Man of the match: Gary Hay
His influence spread throughout the Kilmarnock team. The defender was keen to venture forward and twice caused Hearts concern in the first half. His consistency has been a feature of Kilmarnock's play this season.

Taken from the Guardian/Observer