Kilmarnock

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Kilmarnock may be without captain Kyle Vassell for the remainder of the season, with manager Derek McInnes admitting he may need surgery.

“I thought he led the line brilliantly, especially in the second half,” McInnes said of his performance in the 1-1 draw against Hearts.

“He can play, he can do a bit of everything but above all he’s a strong leader of the team. He’s galvanised the dressing room and is key for us.

“He’s struggling with a groin complaint that might need surgery so we might need to nurse him along.

“It might need a operation and he might need to come out of the firing line before the end of the season so we can get him ready for next season.”

Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes: "I thought we were good, disappointed to lose the first goal, I felt we could have dealt with the situation a bit better.

"I thought we had good chances in the first half, real chances, none moreso than Marley’s right on half time. He’s missed from three yards and scored from twenty five yards!

"I thought we were good value for atleast our point and on another day we win that game. We looked confident, we looked assured, we looked like a team that are sitting fourth in the the table.

"When we got the equalsier I felt we were the most likely to win the game.

"We came here to try and win the game but we knew a point could secure top six and to secure it with two games to go, considering where this club was three years ago getting relegated - we came in just over two years ago - and it’s a great note for everyone at the club from the boardroom, all the staff, but particularly the players’ efforts this season that we’ve managed to secure top six football with two games to go.

"I’m really proud of them and pleased for their effort. Now with seven games to go we just refocus and try and finish the season as strong as we can.

On European aspirations, he adds: “Once you get into the top six it’s something that’s really worth working towards, so, yeah, why not.”

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DId you make the trip through to Edinburgh or were you following along with the action from elsewhere?

We want your views on Killie's match this afternoon.

Get in touch here.

Jack Herrall, BBC Sport Scotland

Despite only having rougly 30% possession this afternoon, Derek McInnes side often looked sharp and creative in attack.

Watkins and Vassell's games compliment eachother well and were relentless in their pressing. Usual suspects Armstrong and Kennedy were useful outlets too.

When they were being outplayed for spells in the middle of the park, McInnes must have asked for more width and they often played around Hearts' press with intent and pace.

As good as the aforementioend attackers were, though, this could have easily been a Killie win with a more clinical touch in front of goal.

Marley Watkins was a contant threat for Killie, buzzing around the final third and basically just being a pest.

His game compliments Kyle Vassell's perfectly and they both combined to free up Watkins to score his cracking equaliser.

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Heart of Midlothian: Clark, Kent, Kingsley, Baningime, Grant, Shankland, Forrest, Cochrane, Tait, Vargas, Lembikisa.

Substitutes: Gordon, Oda, Atkinson, Devlin, Rowles, McKay, Denholm, Fraser, Tagawa.

Kilmarnock: Dennis, Mayo, Wright, FIndlay, Deas, Kennedy, Armstrong, Polworth, Donnelly, Watkins, Vassell.

Substitutes: O'Hara, Ndaba, McKenzie, Balagizi, Watson, Cameron, Stewart, Mackay-Steven, Van Veen.

Follow to action live here.

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Frankie Kent and Calem Nieuwenhof are in contention to make their return from injury for Hearts. Liam Boyce is back running in training, while Peter Haring and Craig Halkett have undergone surgery.

Kyle Magennis and Brad Lyons remain unavailable for Kilmarnock but Lyons has resumed training.

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Kilmarnock can put themselves in with a chance of pinching third place from Hearts with a win at Tynecastle on Saturday, says former Rugby Park goalkeeper Cammy Bell.

A League Cup winner with the Ayrshire club in 2012, Bell believes Derek McInnes' attacking arsenal has pushed the side forward this term.

"Kilmarnock have been sensational this season, absolutely brilliant," he told BBC's Scottish Football Podcast. "They were really strong at home last season, their away form let them down.

"They've rectified that a little bit, they're not brilliant away from home, but they've started to pick up points. They're a hard team to beat.

"They've got some top quality players: Danny Armstrong, Kyle VaSsell, Marley Watkins up front, really effective for them. Matty Kennedy, too. Some strong, strong players there."

Kilmarnock travel to the capital knowing a win would narrow the gap to the Tynecastle side, giving them an outside shot of nipping into third and potential group stage European football.

"It's a real tasty one," Bell said. "And for me, it's one that I probably look at Kilmarnock and think, if they could beat Hearts at Tynecastle, it gives them a half chance of getting that third spot because ultimately, they'd claw some points

"I know there's an 11-point gap at the moment, but they'll have that opportunity playing Hearts again when the split comes.

"It's probably the last opportunity for Kilmarnock to possibly get that third spot, but they need to take all three points."

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• No player has registered more assists in the Scottish Premiership this season than Kilmarnock’s Danny Armstrong (10 – level with Matt O’Riley) whilst the Scotsman has provided five assists following a carry of 5+ metres with the ball, the most of any player in the competition in 2023-24.

• Kilmarnock have scored 39 goals after 30 Premiership games this season, only netting more at this stage across their last 10 campaigns on one occasion (40 in 2017-18); meanwhile only Rangers (25 in a row) are currently on a longer scoring streak in the top-flight than Killie (12 in a row).

• Hearts are unbeaten in their last seven home league games (W5 D2), only going longer without defeat at Tynecastle since promotion back to the top-flight in 2021 once, avoiding defeat in their first eight home matches back in the competition. Only Celtic (36), Rangers (36) and Kilmarnock (31) have won more home points in the top-flight this season than Hearts (28).

• Kilmarnock have won just one of their five league matches against Hearts since the beginning of last season (D2 L2) whilst they’ve conceded first in three of those five games; the pair’s previous meeting at Tynecastle this season ended goalless, the only 0-0 draw between the two sides across their last 16 matchups.

• Hearts have one win and one draw against Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premier League this season, last avoiding defeat in three separate meetings with Killie in the same top-flight season in 2015-16 under Robbie Neilson (W1 D2).

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Kilmarnock winger Rory McKenzie says he is keen to stay at Rugby Park for as long as possible after signing a new one-year deal with the club.

McKenzie has scored 26 goals in 394 appearances for Killie since making his first-team debut in 2011, and wants that long association to continue.

"As time goes on, you start to cherish it," the 30-year-old said.

"I would love to keep extending here. It's a family club, everyone gets on, and the manager has built a squad of good players that also gets on.

"It ties in with the squad we had under Steve Clarke, how close we were, this rivals it. It's no surprise you get results on the pitch when it's like that. I'd love to stay here as long as I can."

Kilmarnock return to action following the international break by visiting Hearts at Tynecastle on Saturday.

Who should Derek McInnes include in his XI? Pick your team here.

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Kilmarnock assistant manager Paul Sheerin wants to wrap up a top-six finish as quickly as possible, and will only allow himself to dream of European football next season once that goal is achieved.

Killie will guarantee a top-half finish this season if they beat Hearts on Saturday, and either Hibs or Dundee fail to win. A draw would be enough if Hibs were to lose against Rangers.

“The message hasn’t changed," Sheerin said. "The aim is to try cement this place in the top six. We’re in the strongest position as it stands, and it’s up to us to make the most of that. It would be nice to see the job through and the sooner the better.

"If we can get ourselves in and among it, you’re going to have a shot to get into Europe. If we can do that it would be incredible, but we need to cement that top-six place first."

Sheerin also believes Killie's remarkable 5-2 win over St Mirren before the international break shows the mental fortitude present at the club.

“The players knew they had to give a lot more [at half-time], and took ownership of the situation, which is credit to them," he said.

"They had a point to prove, and once we got the first goal the players thrived off that momentum. It was an exceptional 20-minute spell.

“It’s always nice to go into an international break winning, because it becomes a long two weeks if you dont manage it. The turnaround was excellent, the boys’ attitude, desire and spirit that we constantly speak about was there in abundance."

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Kilmarnock assistant manager Paul Sheerin has been talking to the media before Saturday's trip to Tynecastle to face Hearts in the Scottish Premiership.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• Says it was nice to go into the international break off the back of such an uplifting win against St Mirren, and the performance showed "the boys’ attitude, desire and spirit in abundance".

• Revealed Derek McInnes was relatively calm at half-time given the circumstances, and praised the players for taking ownership, before delivering their second-half turnaround.

• Wants Killie to secure their top-six spot as soon as possible, and will only start to think about a European spot after that.

• Is expecting a tight game against Hearts, as most recent encounters have been between the sides. "We know how difficult it will be."

• Believes improvements from last season have been "vast" and credited the work done by McInnes and the club's recruitment team to improve the quality of player at Rugby Park.

• There are no new injury concerns. Kyle Magennis and Brad Lyons remain unavailable for selection, although Lyons has resumed training.

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Kilmarnock midfielder Rory McKenzie has signed a new one-year contract, extending his long association with the Rugby Park club.

The 30-year-old came through the Killie academy, and has made 394 appearances in all competitions having made his first-team debut in 2011.

“We are delighted that Rory has signed a new deal, he is such a valued member of this squad and brings so much to the club," manager Derek McInnes said.

“He has a big part to play here, and I know that he can be so influential for us this season and beyond.”

Sandy Armour
Fan writer

The international break probably came at the wrong time for Killie after their memorable destruction of St Mirren.

It's not long now until Scotland kick-off the Euros against hosts Germany and it reminds me of a question that is often asked of fans. Would you rather see your team win the league or see Scotland win a major tournament?

As a Killie fan it may be more realistic to ask when will the Old Firm finally depart to another country? The club v country argument gets punters arguing like few other topics, and I confess that Killie take precedence for me all day long.

There's no doubt that a Scotland triumph would have almost all the country partying for a fortnight, but having watched Killie home and away for over half a century they pretty much dictate my life.

We take our next step towards world domination with a trip to Tynecastle this Saturday and a win would go a long way to seeing us grab a European spot for next season.

Needless to say, if it comes to a choice this summer of Germany in June or Ireland in July, the Stranraer ferry can reserve my seat.

Sandy Armour is editor of the Killie Hippo fanzine.

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"He doesn't know his best team" is a criticism often hurled at managers both from the stands and social media.

It's an accusation that can't be levelled at Derek McInnes, however, who has made the joint-fewest changes to his team's starting XI compared to his counterparts in the Scottish Premiership this season.

Kilmarnock have made just 43 switches to their line-up since the start of the campaign, the same number as a Motherwell side that has struggled for the same kind of consistency on the park.

The Rugby Park outfit, meanwhile, have been stellar at home and are well in contention for a European spot.

Even with pressure to utilise big name January signings like Kevin van Veen and Greg Stewart, the 52-year-old has stuck by the less-fashionable pair of Marley Watkins and Kyle Vassell.

As a coach with a tonne of experience in the Scottish game, McInnes' 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' approach seems to paying off in a big way in Ayrshire.

We asked for your thoughts as Kilmarnock look to hold on to their European spot in the final stretch of the season.

Here's a taste of what you had to say:

Amy: Whilst it's still a bit away, there's no reason why we shouldn't be at least aiming to finish in the European places. Post-split will be tough but we've proven we can beat everyone this season including the Old Firm. If anything, it should be them worried about Killie derailing their title bid.

Andrew: If McInnes can keep the team motivated, and Killie continue to produce the amazing results they have been getting, there is no reason why we can’t make a return to European football.

Thomas: We have ageing strikers. The team is not yet complete. Europe may be a step too far, too soon. Last European venture disastrous. Happy for Killie to consolidate Premiership position and any European success a bonus. We've made great strides but it is a long journey. Fan of 70 years, so optimism tempered with realism. Wish success in all competitions!

Frank: If we do get a European spot, the board, the manager and all the players existing and former should be congratulated for what has been achieved in the last three years.

Doug: What an improvement on last season. We've beaten Celtic and Rangers in the league and look like a team who could finish fourth. McInnes has brought Killie back from a dark place two years ago. Qualification for Europe would be a fine reward. Keep the squad intact, including Watson, and we could do even better next season. Come on Killie!

Sean McGill
BBC Sport Scotland

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It's not been a bad week to be David Watson.

The 19-year-old spent his Saturday at the heart of Kilmarnock's colossal comeback against European rivals St Mirren, showing he can make an impact from right-back as well as his usual central midfield berth.

The youngster, dubbed the 'Prestwick Pirlo' by the Rugby Park faithful, completed his side's five-star display as he picked up the ball from his own half and danced into the box, before slotting beyond former Killie goalkeeper Zach Hemming.

The Italian connection continued as the international break came around, with Watson jetting off as part of the Scotland U19 squad.

Playing top-quality opposition in their home country was always going to be difficult, and it showed as Billy Stark's side went down 3-1 in their Euros qualifying opener on Wednesday.

The saving grace was a fine finish from the Ayrshire midfielder. Pushed higher than is the norm into a number 10 role, Watson received the ball high in the Italy half, turned, and thumped a powerful strike into the bottom corner from distance.

Derek McInnes challenged him to add goals to his game at the start of the season, and he's making a habit of ensuring they're pretty special goals to boot.

The academy product's enthusiasm and quality are being lapped up by Kilmarnock fans who will be fully aware that these kinds of displays by young, promising talents don't go unnoticed by clubs with more financial might.

We're firmly into the business end of the season.

Kilmarnock are on the cusp of securing top-six football, at which point they can look ahead to finishing in the top four and guaranteeing European football next term. We want to know how you're feeling heading into the final weeks of the season.

How confident are you that you'll be packing your suitcase in the summer? Who will be the key players if your side are to achieve Europe? And what's your biggest concern that could see Killie trip up?

Give us your thoughts.

Sandy Armour
Fan writer

As the old football saying goes - 'it's a funny old game'.

Still, in all my many years watching Killie I can't remember many matches quite like our victory over St Mirren.

Fans were still a bit angry about our cup exit at Aberdeen and the first-half performance didn't help our mood. It looked like our top-six challenge was hitting the buffers until an eighteen-minute spell in the second period where we would have blown Real Madrid away.

It totally transformed the game and while the away end emptied, Killie fans were in raptures about one of our finest displays in recent history.

It was a massive three points and could be the win that cements our top-six place.

Credit has to go the manager as he didn't make any substitutions at half-time when most fans would have introduced two or three new faces.

There are three games until the split but sadly there are no Premiership fixtures this weekend. Other than watching the Scotland games I'll use the time to repeatedly watch re-runs of that five goal blitz, truly a match to remember.

Sandy Armour is editor of the Killie Hippo fanzine.