Kilmarnock

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Kilmarnock "put in a performance and a half" to earn a "brilliant three points," says manager Derek McInnes.

For 90 minutes, the Rugby Park side played with 10 men against Hearts after Robbie Deas' early red card, but once they went ahead through Bruce Anderson's penalty, things appeared in their favour.

McInnes put that down to "ridiculously good effort".

"Any time you go down to 10 men you need to give a performance and a half," he said.

"We had to play the game a certain way. We had to stay within our shape.

"The boys were magnificent. We're having to work too hard too often this season because of the red cards but there's only positives today.

"We had the best chances in the game. We had the most shots on target, even with 10 men I thought we had some brilliant moments. It was a great performance with 10 men.

"Some three points are better than others but that feels like a brilliant three points."

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• Bruce Anderson has scored five goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other Kilmarnock player.

• Kye Rowles attempted 114 passes in this game, the highest total for a Hearts player in the Premiership this season.

Dogged Kilmarnock battled to an impressive victory over Hearts despite playing with 10 men for 90 minutes, to leave their visitors bottom of the Scottish Premiership.

Were you at Rugby Park or following the match from home? We want your views on the game.

Let us know your thoughts on Kilmarnock's performance.

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Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes: "It's too often this season we're having to deal with playing with 10 men and we're having to work harder to get anything from the game.

"We had something similar at St Mirren when we're behind and go down to 10 men and manage to get something from the game.

"We had the best chances, more shots on target and we counter-attacked brilliantly. When it comes to 10 men, everyone has to give a performance-and-a-half. And that's what we got.

"It's a brilliant day and victory and it's no more than we deserved. When you dress it down, it's just three points and three points we expected. But we've done it the hard way and some three points feel better than others, and because of the context it feels like a brilliant three points."

On the red card, McInnes said: "At the time I didn't even think it was a yellow, because he slipped into it. Having watched it again I can see why it looked nasty on VAR.

"[Referee] Don Robertson has indicated a scissors with his hands, but it's not a scissors movement. But when you freeze the challenge Deas' foot goes right on to Vargas' ankle. I could see on VAR it looked terrible, but in the context of the game I thought he slipped and it's not anything malicious."

Thomas Duncan
BBC Sport Scotland

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As referee Don Robertson trooped to the monitor after flashing a yellow card at Robbie Deas for his challenge on KennethVargas, Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes probably had a similar sinking feeling.

He has been here before this season. A lot. The images were not pretty for Deas, who planted his studs on Vargas' ankle.

The defender must have trooped down the tunnel fearing the wrath of his manager, who has continually had to address his side's disciplinary issues after five previous sending offs in the Premiership, six in total.

But Deas was bailed out by the discipline and endeavour of his team-mates, who actually looked the more threatening team until the final half hour when they ceded territory.

Unusually this season has been a struggle at home, with Kilmarnock collecting just six points at Rugby Park, the lowest total at home in the Premiership.

But this was more like the side who finished fourth last season, as they got forward quickly and with purpose while repelling almost everything which came into their box.

McInnes will hope this can be the catalyst for more consistency. Though he probably would not mind if they could get through more games with 11 players.

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Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes hopes to have Matty Kennedy, Liam Donnelly and Robby McCrorie available. Long-term absentee Stuart Findlay (ankle) is the only player ruled out.

Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland is suspended and defender Frankie Kent looks almost certain to miss out after aggravating a quad injury against Copenhagen.

Beni Baningime (knee) is a doubt and both Stephen Kingsley and Calem Nieuwenhof remain out with hamstring injuries.

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Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes has insisted his side won't take Hearts lightly despite their European exertions.

The Jambos lost 2-0 to Copenhagen on Thursday night - a place that Kilmarnock travelled to earlier this season in Conference League qualifying.

"We came back and went to Pittodrie after it," McInnes said. "That type of fixture can take a lot out of you. Obviously, at that stage of the season, we were still finding our feet. No team's fully up to speed.

"I think Hearts or any team playing in Europe now are getting the games through their legs and a bit more game-ready.

"When it's the travelling and travelling, it can be a bit of a disadvantage."

The Kilmarnock manager is experienced in managing sides in Europe, given Aberdeen's travels while McInnes was in charge at Pittodrie.

"I think managers look at 'we've got them after a European game'. That's just natural. You always want to play Rangers or Celtic after they've had a European game and they're getting more distractions or minimum rest. That's just the nature of it.

"But regardless if we're getting Hearts fresh, regardless of who plays on Sunday, I know it's Hearts turning up here on Sunday. We've just got to try and be the team that catches fire a wee bit for ourselves and gets a strong performance because it will need to be that."

It hasn't been long since the two sides met, after Kilmarnock beat Hearts 2-1 at Tynecastle at the end of October.

"We beat them at Tynecastle a few weeks ago and it was a really strong second-half performance. But I actually think to beat a team of Hearts' quality, you normally need to turn up for 90 minutes and that's what I'm looking for from my team."

Dundee United midfielder Vicko Sevelj, 24, criticises Danny Armstrong, 27, following the Kilmarnock winger's challenge at Tannadice last weekend. (Record), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

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Midfielder Brad Lyons says Kilmarnock can "define" their season with five home games in the space of 25 days.

With the busy festive fixture card around the corner, Lyons is looking to drive Killie up from 10th place in the table.

Derek McInnes' side host Hearts on Sunday and also welcome Aberdeen, Ross County, St Mirren and Motherwell to Rugby Park before 2025 is eight days old.

Lyons said: "December is probably the first month that can properly define your season because, if you do start winning, you start building momentum and the games come thick and fast, which is quality.

"As a player, that's what we want, we don't want to be training all the time, we want to be playing games.

"Sunday is all we are focused on now. If we get three points and build momentum off that, it will be tremendous.

"Having this run of home games looming is massive for the whole club, and the fans, If we get that home form right, then after December, January time, we should be right up there."

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• Kilmarnock have only suffered two defeats in their last 12 Scottish Premiership meetings with Hearts (W6 D4), winning their first league match against them this season 2-1 in October.

• Hearts have kept a clean sheet in their last two league visits to Kilmarnock (W1 D1), this after conceding 2+ goals in each of their previous three at Rugby Park in the Scottish Premiership.

• No side has earned fewer points at home in the Scottish Premiership this season than Kilmarnock (6), who have won just once in their last eight league games at Rugby Park (D4 L3), beating Rangers 1-0 in October.

• Hearts have only won one of their last 11 away league outings (D3 L7), beating St Johnstone 2-1 in early November.

• Only Aston Oxborough (55) has made more saves in the Scottish Premiership this season than Kilmarnock's Robby McCrorie (42), who has made at least three saves in each of his last five league appearances.

Jack Herrall
BBC Sport Scotland

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Derek McInnes says Kyle Magennis' quality can be key for Kilmarnock but knows a return to the midfielder playing regularly will take time.

Magennis made his comeback from a year out with a hamstring injury when he came off the bench for the final few minutes in last weekend's draw at Dundee United.

"We've all seen him suffer, we've seen him pull up in training, we've seen him pull up in games and walk away with his head in his hands and [he was] inconsolable really, we've seen what he's been through," said manager McInnes.

"I put him on ahead of others, not because of sentiment, we needed a result. I think he's as capable as any of my midfielders are at getting me a goal and bringing a bit of quality, so that was the reason he went on. He was on to do a job and he did his job well.

"I've watched Kyle since he was a wee boy, he played in the same youth team at St Mirren as my son and I always knew his qualities.

"I had an interest in him when I was at Aberdeen and if the circumstance had been right it would have been one I would have liked to have taken.

"With the greatest respect, the reason we managed to get him at Kilmarnock is because of his injuries."

McInnes was keen to emphasise patience is needed as the 26-year-old is still not training "like most normal footballers".

He added: "He trains a day and then he's a physio the next day, he never does two consecutive days with the team.

"We're just trying to share the load a wee bit on his body and on his hamstrings to hopefully get us to a stage where he can train two and three days in a row like most normal footballers.

"But it's not through the want of trying, he is desperate to train and play as much as he can. To give him the best chance at that, we're going to have to be smart and give him the best opportunity."

Jack Herrall
BBC Sport Scotland

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Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes has been speaking to the media before his side's Scottish Premiership match with Hearts on Sunday.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• Last-gasp point gained at Tannadice felt "more valuable than others" and McInnes is taking positives from recent performances, saying that other than the second half at Ibrox they have been "competing in games".

• "Huge positive" in Kyle Magennis being back after making an appearance off of the bench at Tannadice, ending a year-long lay-off.

• The returning midfielder was brought on over others on Saturday "not because of sentiment, we needed a result".

• McInnes says home form is pivotal in everything Killie are trying to do and they have to try to take full advantage of it: "Our home form won us the title [Championship], kept us in the league, and got us into a European place."

• He reckons that "by 8 January, that's normally where you'll be roughly come end of the season" and is hoping to be mid-table and pushing top six by then.

• On Hearts, McInnes says they have a "set way of playing that they won't change" under Neil Critchley.

• The Rugby Park boss joked he was "absolutely buzzing" Lawrence Shankland is suspended and unable to play on Sunday.

• McInnes says it is natural to want to play a side after a European away tie, but regardless Killie have to be the side that "catches fire a wee bit for ourselves and gets a strong performance".

• Matthew Kennedy and Liam Donnelly have not trained fully this week but could be ready for Sunday's game.

At Tannadice on Saturday the introduction of young Bobby Wales was, once again, the key to rescuing a point for Killie.

It was far from a vintage performance but it felt like a big point in the context of our recent run.

The performance at Ibrox last week was one of the worst in recent years, with the manager's team selection yet again causing us problems.

Derek McInnes really needs to get back to basics, stop the overthinking and put players in their natural positions.

Credit to the team at Tannadice as they didn't show any signs of a hangover, knuckled down to battle and earned the last-minute leveller.

Bruce Anderson fired home a textbook penalty and the wee striker has goals in him if he is given more opportunities with a starting place.

It's a worry that Wales is out of contract at the end of the season, yet he still awaits the offer of a new deal.

The 19-year-old is exactly the type of young player we should be investing in as he could earn us a big transfer fee in the future.

Hearts visit the Theatre of Pies this Sunday and it may be a good time to play them after their midweek European trip. Time for our second home win of the campaign.

Sandy Armour is editor of The Killie Hippo fanzine

Fraser Murray: The wide midfielder was prominent in Kilmarnock's attacks in their draw at Dundee United, threatening on three occasions.

Watch highlights as Dundee United draw 1-1 against Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership. (UK only)

Kenny Crawford
BBC Sport Scotland

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Kilmarnock striker Bruce Anderson hopes the boost brought by his late equaliser at Dundee United can be the start of the team "kicking on" after a difficult period.

Derek McInnes' men are still without a win in six matches, but a point at in-form United will bring encouragement.

"It's been a tough spell but hopefully we can take this as a reference point for the rest of the season," Anderson told BBC Scotland.

"It's a brilliant changing room. We got our just rewards."

Anderson scored an emphatic spot-kick in the 95th minute after Richard Odada fouled Bobby Wales.

It was the former Aberdeen and Livingston forward's fourth goal of the season.

"I just thought I needed to make sure I scored so I whacked it as hard as I could and thankfully it's gone in," said Anderson.

"I just want to score as many goals as I can. I love scoring goals; whether it's a tap-in, a penalty or a 30-yarder."

We asked for your views on Kilmarnock's 1-1 draw against Dundee United.

Here's what some of you said:

Barry: Style of football is horrible to watch and totally ineffective. No faith in defence or either goalkeeper, the aimless lump up the park to Kyle Vassell isn't the answer. Bobby Wales and Bruce Anderson have offered so much more whenever they've had the chance. Good to see Kyle Magennis back after a long lay-off though, the boy can play.

Adam: How come Kilmarnock only start playing in the second half? Start at the beginning and lots of these results would be better!

George: Body language from some players is a big question. A good point at the end. The goalkeeper was good until he went off and his replacement is not good enough, time to get players in and move some out.

Scott: Fantastic character and spirit from the players after the Ibrox debacle. We need to start picking up wins but a point here is a good result given United's home record. Hopefully this can be a turning point ahead of a massive game next week.

John: Good point after the midweek roasting, but we need to get back to winning ways otherwise we could be down again at the end of the season.

Jim: We were lucky. The same issues are still there. Our diamonds in the pack are David Watson and Wales, why have them sitting on the bench? Anderson up front was an improvement. We need people with pace and skill up front so Danny Armstrong can have targets in the box. Too often Armstrong gets to the bye-line but there is no-one in the centre.

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• Dundee United are undefeated in their last five games in the Premiership, their last joint longest unbeaten streak was from 1 February 2022 to 26 February 2022.

• Kilmarnock have failed to win in their last six games in the Premiership, their last longer winless streak was from May 2024 to September 2024, a run of eight games.

• Dundee United have lost 10 points from winning positions in the Premiership this season, only Hibernian (16) have lost more.

• Kilmarnock have won 11 points from losing positions in the Premiership this season, more than any other team.

Did you take in Kilmarnock's 1-1 draw with Dundee United or following the match from home?

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Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes: "It's no more than we deserved. I thought it was a really gutsy, gritty performance. We were competitive throughout. It's exactly the type of performance that was required after the other night.

"I thought it would've been harsh on us to lose this game 1-0. We thought later in the game, the subs would be important for us and I think that proved pivotal.

"Character was screaming out the team and I'm absolutely delighted that we've got something from the game. Some points are massive. In the context of the week, that feels like a really important point for us.

"It was just the impact [for injured goalkeeper Robby McCrorie]. I don't think it's a muscle strain. He seemed pretty confident that it would settle."

Andy Campbell
BBC Scotland

Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes said pre-match that his players should not dwell on Wednesday's 6-0 loss away to Rangers.

For 25 minutes or so at Tannadice, it looked like the sequel as Dundee United piled on the pressure.

But after weathering that storm, Kilmarnock got to grips with the challenge with Lewis Mayo, Joe Wright and Robbie Deas getting much closer to the United attackers.

After losing the Sam Dalby goal, Kilmarnock had no option but to go for it and were rewarded with the Bruce Anderson penalty.

A point on the road is a good response to their midweek humbling.