Danny Armstrong, Liam Polworth and Kyle Vassell have all been named in Sportscene presenter Jonathan Sutherland's Team of the Week after Kilmarnock's 3-1 victory over Livingston.
Captain Vassell scored two superb headers, Armstrong bagged a goal and an assist in an influential performance, and Polworth's return helped Derek McInnes' side control proceedings.
We asked for your views on Kilmarnock's 3-1 Premiership victory over Livingston...
Amy: The most dominant performance of the season. We've always been in games and it was a matter of time before we smashed someone. Youngsters David Watson and Lewis Mayo were sensational.
Derek McInnes believes having a fit and firing front two will be key to Kilmarnock's fortunes this season.
Kyle Vassell scored twice in Saturday's 3-1 win over Livingston to double his tally for the season, while strike partner Marley Watkins is on three despite a period out injured.
"Every manager wants their strikers to score goals and Kyle is up to four now. It's important to have the front line scoring," said McInnes.
"He is so important to us - as he was at the back end of last season. It will be key to keep him and the likes of Watkins fit.
"Our response to Livingston equalising was almost immediate with a great header from Vass and it got us in at half-time with something to hang on to.
"The third goal, there was so much to enjoy about it. It was a brilliant bit of play, we hit the bar, young Davie Watson keeps it alive and the cross is brilliant. And Vass is back up on his feet and scores a great header."
Image source, SNSOften Kilmarnock's key man, Danny Armstrong once again shone in Saturday's 3-1 win over Livingston, scoring one and setting up another.
The winger wants to beat his numbers from last season. In terms of goals, he’s already a third of the way there. A dozen last campaign, four so far this term.
"The gaffer gave me a task," the 26-year-old told BBC Scotland. "He asked if I can continue from where I left off last season.
"That’s all I want to do, beat my numbers from last year and just do as well as I can for the team. If I keep contributing, the better Kilmarnock will do.
"[Saturday] was a massive win. It was important to get three points as quickly as possible and we thoroughly deserved it."
Image source, SNSLivingston boss David Martindale reckons Kyle Vassell’s storming performance at Rugby Park was reminiscent of Scotland striker Lyndon Dykes at his Lions peak.
Vassell’s double helped Killie triumph 3-1 for their first Premiership win since the opening day.
"I thought Vassell was really good for Kilmarnock,” said Martindale.
"There were flashes of big Lyndon Dykes when he played for us. He was winning aerial duels, he was roughing up centre-halves and linking play.
"I don't think we did any of that ourselves until we put Joel Nouble up top with Kurtis Guthrie. Kurtis got a couple of flicks and Joel got a couple of runs into their box.
"Their forward line managed the game better than us."
Martindale hopes Obileye and Mo Sangare - who went off during the second half at Rugby Park – won’t be out too long.
He added: "I think Ayo will be okay. We missed Ayo against a side who ask a lot of questions of your backline.
"Mo had an injury, I think it's his calf. He was away on international duty but only played 90 minutes."
Image source, SNSKyle Vassell's first goal put Kilmarnock 2-1 up in their win over Livingston
Were you at Rugby Park on Saturday or did you follow the match elsewhere?
Either way, want your views on the game – have your say here.
Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes: "I thought we started strong in the game. We expected a tough match and knew we would have to do a lot of different aspects well, and I thought we did that.
"We showed good composure, carried a threat and deservedly went in front.
"I love my centre-forwards scoring goals - [Kyle Vassell] has got two today and the front two were a handful the whole game. They gave us a real platform to play.
"What pleased me most was the response to the Livingston penalty - it was immediate and we set out to win the game. We're fifth in the league and we want to hang about the top six for as long as we can.
"It's important not to get too carried away, but it's important that we win games like this. After a strong start, we stuttered a wee bit, but hopefully today is the start of a few more [wins]."
Image source, SNSKyle Vassell (left) scored a double in Kilmarnock's win over Livingston
Another goal, another assist and four chances created in another top performance from Danny Armstrong.
The winger has been Kilmarnock's key man so far this season and is one of the league's top performers at present.
Image source, SNSNick McPheat, BBC Scotland
It is difficult to think of a more complete performance from Derek McInnes' Kilmarnock since their top-flight promotion last year.
The Rugby Park boss hoped the inclusion of Liam Polworth would bring composure to his side in possession, and so it proved as the hosts dominated for the majority of the contest.
In Danny Armstrong, the Ayrshire side boated the second-highest chance creator in the league prior to kick-off. The winger backed that up with another stellar display, ending the day with a fourth goal and a sixth assist in 15 games this term.
McInnes also spoke of the need to recruit a clinical number nine during the summer, but on the basis of this performance he could already have one as Vassell made two goals from four touches in the Livingston box.
It is two switches for Kilmarnock following their defeat at Celtic Park last time out.
Robbie Deas makes way as Liam Polworth comes in to face Livingston at Rugby Park.
Marley Watkins also features in the hosts' starting line-up, replacing Matty Kennedy.
Midfielder Kyle Magennis (hamstring) is Kilmarnock's only absentee. Rory McKenzie, Liam Donnelly and Marley Watkins all return.
Mikey Devlin, Cristian Montano and Danny Lloyd are all back in contention for Livingston. Michael Nottingham is close to a comeback following an Achilles problem.
Image source, SNSAll SPFL clubs will show support of the Show Racism the Red Card’s match actions campaign at this weekend’s games.
Show Racism the Red Card is the UK’s leading anti-racism education charity, working within schools, workplaces, sports, and community organisations to educate children, young people, and adults on challenging prejudice and stereotypes.
Billy Singh, from Show Racism the Red Card, said: “We are delighted with the support for anti-racism that exists within Scottish football and are very proud of our upcoming match actions.
“However the work must continue, we call on our supporters to continue to challenge racism.
“It is a shared responsibility across the game, from dressing rooms to boardrooms, and from stadiums to social media, to ensure that an anti-racism ethos is maintained throughout the year."
Image source, SNSCeltic's squad showed their support for the campaign in training on Friday
Brad Lyons admits the “proudest moment” of his career – his Northern Ireland debut – was a distant dream just a few months ago as he struggled to get a game for Kilmarnock.
The midfielder savoured his first international action in Tuesday's 1-0 defeat by Slovenia in Belfast after being an ever-present in the Killie team this season.
Such a scenario appeared highly unlikely when Lyons had only started four matches heading into the final two games of last season, before being drafted in for wins over Dundee United as Killie secured Premiership safety.
“International football is the pinnacle and I am really glad I could make a dream come true and represent my country at Windsor Park,” said the 26-year-old.
"Now I have got that feeling I want it more and more and to become a regular, but that can only happen if I am playing week in, week out here, putting in performances and getting results.
"I have put in good performances here and there but this is the first season I have put it all together.
"A few months ago I would never have thought that, my goal was to get in the Kilmarnock team, but thankfully everything has come together.
"I think it shows for any footballer, if you are not in the picture just now it doesn't mean you never will be. That's down to the individual, you have got to stay fit, you have got to stay ready.
"I have a good support network and I worked my nut off every day in training. I was in the gym, if I had to do extras I was doing it just to stay ready.
"I am so thankful I did it because the two last games of last season, those performances probably got me a new contract.”
Image source, SNS
Image source, SNSDavid Martindale has hailed Derek McInnes as “one of the best managers in Scotland” and says Kilmarnock are now moulded in his image.
McInnes, whose side host Martindale’s Livingston on Saturday, clinched promotion and consolidated Killie's place back in the Premiership in his first 18 months at Rugby Park.
"I think Derek is one of the best managers in Scotland and there is a reflection on the park because of that,” said Martindale.
"He has a structure and philosophy and you are now probably seeing more of an imprint in terms of it's Del's team. He has had a couple of windows to bring players in he is looking for.
"I played against his Aberdeen teams and found them hugely frustrating at times.
"He has had that bit of budget to allow him to bring better quality players at the top end of the park.
"He knows Scottish football inside out, he has played at a very, very good level and you can see that.
"His teams are always well coached, difficult to break down but pose an attacking threat, and I think you can see that in this Kilmarnock team."
The SPPFL has reported record turnover and payments to clubs.
The latest SPFL accounts show a 6% rise in turnover to £41.9m, with fees to clubs going up by a similar amount to £31.7m.
Total distributions to clubs went up to £35.8m, in addition to the £2.6m net gate receipts distributed to the clubs in the last four of the Viaplay Cup.
Premiership clubs will also benefit from higher UEFA solidarity payments of £3.6m.
SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said: "Especially in light of the ongoing economic challenges, today's figures are testament to the continuing popularity of Scottish football and the growing demand from broadcasters and other partners."
The league recently announced that title sponsor cinch was taking up an option to end its five-year deal two years early at the end of this season.
Image source, SNSFormer Celtic and Aberdeen winger Gary Mackay-Steven, who was released by Hearts in the summer, has spent the last two weeks training with Kilmarnock as the 33-year-old seeks a new club. (Herald, external - subscription required)
Read the rest of Friday's Scottish gossip.
Image source, BBC Sport
Image source, GettyBrad Lyons’ first Northern Ireland cap was a deserved reward for his perseverance in transforming his Kilmarnock fortunes, says manager Derek McInnes.
The 26-year-old made his international debut in the 1-0 defeat by Slovenia on Tuesday night after being an ever-present in the Killie midfield this season, having won his place in the team towards the end of last term.
“We are all so invested in that, we were all so keen to see him come back with a cap and play his part,” said McInnes.
"It just shows you in football the rewards for perseverance, determination and professionalism. A more popular boy, I don't think we have worked with.
"It's my job as manager to try and push and encourage all my players and you always want that reward for them.
"Brad deserves all the credit. This is us doing our job, he has done his job particularly well. The best part about Brad is a few months ago, if someone had said that to him he would have thought it was such a long way off.
"It's a reminder to everybody that whether you are in or out the team, if you apply yourself properly and have that confidence and belief, the rewards are there for you. It's great to see that recognised."
Speaking before Saturday's visit of Livingston, McInnes added: "We have managed to get a few boys back [during the international break] like Liam Donnelly, Rory McKenzie, Marley Watkins – important players for us."
After their 2-0 win in May last season, Kilmarnock are looking to earn back-to-back Scottish top-flight victories over Livingston for the first time since February 2006.
Livingston had won their previous five meetings with Kilmarnock, before that 2-0 defeat at the end of last term.
Only St Johnstone (eight) are on a longer run without a win in the Scottish Premiership than Kilmarnock (seven – D4 L3). It’s Killie’s longest winless run in the competition since March 2021 (10 games).
After their 2-0 win over Motherwell, Livingston are looking to pick up back-to-back league victories for the first time since January of last season. The last time the Lions won consecutive league games without conceding was in September 2022 – the second game of which was a 1-0 win over Kilmarnock.
Against Motherwell last time out, Bruce Anderson scored his 25th Scottish Premiership goal, 20 of which have been for Livingston – now the outright most of any player for the club in the competition since their promotion in 2018 (Scott Pittman 19).
Kilmarnock welcome Livingston to Rugby Park on Saturday as they return to Premiership action following the international break.
After losing to Celtic last time out, will Derek McInnes want to make some changes?
Put yourself in the manager's shoes and pick your starting XI here.
