Kilmarnock 3-0 Heart of Midlothian: Chris Burke inspires Killie to victory
- Published
Highlights: Kilmarnock 3-0 Heart of Midlothian
Austin MacPhee's hopes of becoming the next Hearts manager took a severe blow after Kilmarnock inflicted a heavy Scottish Premiership defeat.
A Chris Burke double and an Eamonn Brophy strike in the first 16 minutes at Rugby Park stunned the visitors, who now sit just a point off the foot of the table.
Caretaker MacPhee has lost two and one won since Craig Levein's sacking.
Kilmarnock stay fifth after their sixth win of the league campaign.
The Chris of life
This was the Chris Burke show.
The former Scotland international might be 36 next weekend but he had a spring in his step as he terrorised a man half his age in a first period that must go down as one of the best of his career. Young Aaron Hickey had a torrid time against the veteran and would get withdrawn at half-time.
The opening goal came from a perfectly weighted pass from Mohamed El Makrini and from the edge of the six-yard box Burke finished with precision in the far corner.
Soon after the former Rangers and Cardiff winger would turn provider, an inch-perfect cross for Brophy who headed home from close range.
The home crowd were in dreamland, but the best was yet to come. This time a marathon, solo run from Burke who jinked through a powderpuff Hearts defence before finishing with the confidence of a man already on the scoresheet.
The alternative title to the Chris Burke Show could also have been the Hearts Horror Show. They simply never got going in the first half as this streetwise Kilmarnock side took the match by the scruff of the neck, inspired by Burke's wizardry. It was popcorn stuff for all those watching, although the Hearts fans no doubt were looking for a refund for a no-show.
There was of course a subplot to the theatrics on show - the ongoing narrative surrounding MacPhee. Could this result end his audition for either the job as manager or sporting director?
He put plenty of credit in the bank with the 5-2 thumping of St Mirren at Tynecastle, and no doubt every result will have an impact on MacPhee's future. But you get the impression this is a slow-moving story which will hinge on a variety of factors.
After the interval Hearts upped the ante and the story of this match could have altered had Clevid Dikamona made a better fist of a couple of opportunities from corners.
His first header flew over the bar, his second looked like a better chance but the ball thundered wide of the post and the Congo international hammered the pitch in frustration.
There was more about Hearts as the game wore on, but not enough to pierce a well-drilled Kilmarnock side.
Hearts have not scored in five away games
Man of the match - Chris Burke
As I made my way for a half-time cup of tea and a Killie pie, one Kilmarnock fan suggested to me - in semi-jovial fashion, I think - that Chris Burke should get a Scotland recall after his first-half showing.
The impact he had on this match in the early stages meant that Kilmarnock were flying as Hearts were caught cold.
Two goals and an assist, Chris Burke was outstanding.
'The players played well & I'm Happy' - Reaction
Kilmarnock manager Angelo Alessio: "We started very well, with a good approach and attitude. We scored three goals in 20 minutes in a great performance. The players played well, everyone gave everything, so I'm happy."
Hearts interim manager Austin MacPhee: "It's a crazy eight-minute period for us. The boys are disappointed with themselves. All the goals are preventable, but if you lose three goals as early in the game as we did the game-plan goes out the window."