Hibernian 2-0 Kilmarnock: Kyle Magennis keeps up scoring form
- Published
Kyle Magennis gave Hibs a second-half lead before Kevin Nisbet added a second
Jack Ross hailed his side's "positive" start to the season as Hibernian beat Kilmarnock at Easter Road to reach the last eight of the Scottish League Cup.
Kyle Magennis made it four goals in five games to put Hibs in front early into the second half.
And Kevin Nisbet headed in a second to set up a tie away to Dundee United at the expense of the Championship side.
"I've been delighted with the start of the season, Thursday night aside in terms of the end result," said Ross.
"But, the performance again was good [against Rijeka]. We've started the season really positively."
A further blow to Kilmarnock was the loss of captain Chris Stokes, who hobbled off injured in the second half.
After the midweek Europa Conference League exit in Croatia to Rijeka, the home side were keen to show there was no hangover.
And, after just four minutes, Jamie Murphy sent in a teasing cross that Martin Boyle was inches away from finishing.
Kilmarnock, though, were also desperate to prove they still have the qualities to compete with Premiership teams and they had a golden chance to take the lead inside the first 10 minutes.
A long ball over the top caught the home defence napping with Scott Robinson finding himself clean through. However, his shot from inside the 18-yard box was straight at the advancing Matt Macey.
The game was played at a furious pace, but clear-cut chances were few, though Kilmarnock came within the width of the crossbar from taking the lead when Liam Polworth cracked a shot off the woodwork.
It was evident Ross had a serious word with his players at the break as they came out firing at the start of the second half.
Nisbet headed over from six yards, while Murphy sent a shot straight at Sam Walker.
The breakthrough arrived when Magennis latched on to a cut-back and finished from 10 yards.
Referee Bobby Madden then infuriated the home fans when stopping play as Kilmarnock defender Stokes pulled up with a hamstring injury that had allowed Nisbet a clear run on goal.
The momentum continued towards the visitors' goal, though, and the second goal duly followed.
Joe Newell chipped the ball over the Kilmarnock defence and Nisbet nodded into the bottom corner.
Boyle came close to a third but the hosts settled for two and a place in the last eight.
Man of the match - Joe Newell
Magennis and Nisbet may have scored the goals, but Newell's vision and passing were exceptional
What did they say?
Hibernian manager Jack Ross: "I think that's as good a win as we've had all season.
"Given the exertions we had on Thursday I thought they were excellent, second half in particular."
Kilmarnock manager Tommy Wright: "I am pleased [with the performance] but we can't be giving ourselves a pat on the back when we've ultimately not won the game.
"The reaction was good to going 1-0 down but the second goal is a poor goal. We've got to learn from it, especially when you play a team with the quality of Hibs."
What's next?
Hibernian travel to Dundee in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday (12:00 BST), while Kilmarnock are next in action on Saturday in the Championship at Hamilton Academical (15:00).