Kilmarnock: O'Hara, Mayo, Wright, Findlay, Nbada, Armstrong, Watson, McKenzie, Kennedy, Watkins, Vassell.
Substitutes: Birighitti, Deas, Balagizi, Murray, Cameron, Donnelly, Davies, Polworth, Mackay-Steven.
Hibernian: Marshall, Megwa, Fish, Hanlon, Obita, Levitt, Newell, Youan, Marcondes, Jair, Vente.
Substitutes: Murray, Amos, Stevenson, Maolida, McKirdy, Doidge, Moriah-Welsh, Molotnikov, Whittaker.
Kilmarnock defender Jack Sanders has joined Ayr United on loan for the rest of the season.
The 24-year-old Englishman played twice for Killie earlier this term and has 45 club appearances overall.
Ayr, who appointed Scott Brown as manager this week, are seventh in the Scottish Championship and visit Queen's Park at Hampden on Saturday.
Image source, SNSLiverpool midfielder James Balagizi could make his Kilmarnock debut after joining on loan while Derek McInnes hopes goalkeeper Will Dennis is fit after missing last week's win over Dundee with a minor injury. Brad Lyons and Kyle Magennis remain out.
Hibernian expect to have defender Paul Hanlon back after he missed the midweek defeat by Rangers through illness. Martin Boyle, Rocky Bushiri, Lewis Miller and Jojo Wollacott are on international duty while Chris Cadden, Josh Campbell, Jake Doyle-Hayes and Adam Le Fondre are injured.
Did you know? There has not been an away winner in games between Kilmarnock and Hibernian since Hibs' 2020 victory at Rugby Park.
Image source, SNSGreg Stewart says his "good relationship" with manager Derek McInnes and previous "good spell" with Kilmarnock meant a return to Rugby Park was a "no brainer" as he looked for a new club after leaving Mumbai City.
While with Birmingham City, the 33-year-old forward played twice under McInnes on loan to Aberdeen and also under Steve Clarke with Kilmarnock.
"I had a good spell the last time I came here," Stewart said while suggesting he sees "similarities" in the blend of youth and experience between McInnes' team and the one under the current Scotland head coach. "I knew what the club was about.
"And obviously the gaffer as well - I've worked under him twice before. We've got a good relationship."
Stewart left Scottish football in 2021 to join Jamshedpur, then managed by fellow Scot Owen Coyle, before moving to Mumbai and helping them win the league title and reach the play-off semi-finals.
"After I left Rangers, I wanted to try something new," he explained. "I didn't expect to go to India obviously, but everything happens for a reason and I had a great experience over there.
"Difficult times with the family being here but successful on the pitch. Cricket is still the main sport there, but there's been a lot of improvement in the last couple of years and the standard of player is getting better."
Stewart is now "happy to be on home soil" for family reasons.
"I feel I have to prove myself all over again," he added. "I feel I am at a good age where I can still be successful in Scotland again."
Image source, SNSKilmarnock have won just one of their last 10 Scottish Premiership matches against Hibernian, (D2 L7), a 1-0 win in November 2022 thanks to a Danny Armstrong penalty.
Hibernian have failed to win both of their last two league visits to Kilmarnock (D1 L1), and have only won two of their last eight such trips in the Scottish Premiership (D2 L4), with both wins coming in 2020 under Jack Ross (2-1 in February, 1-0 in October).
Only Celtic (26) and Rangers (24) have picked up more Scottish Premiership points at home this season than Kilmarnock (21). Killie’s only two home league defeats this season have both been by a 1-0 scoreline (v Hearts & Ross County).
Hibernian have lost two of their last three away league outings (W1), as many as their previous 10 beforehand (W2 D6 L2). Hibs could lose back-to-back away league games for the first time since April 2023.
Kilmarnock have won eight league matches this season, already equalling their total before the Scottish Premiership split last campaign (8 wins from 33 matches).
Kilmarnock return to league action when they host Hibs at Rugby Park on Saturday.
Derek McInnes has some decisions to make for this one. Does Greg Stewart start? Is it too soon for Liverpool loanee James Balagizi?
Pick your Killie team here.
Image source, Getty ImagesBalagizi has made three appearances for England Under-20s
Kilmarnock have announced the signing of Liverpool midfielder James Balagizi on loan until the end of the season.
The 20-year-old spent the first half of this season on loan at League One side Wigan Athletic, having previously spent time at Crawley Town in League Two.
“I’m really excited to get the deal done, I am happy with the project at the club and excited to get things going," Balagizi said.
“The manager did well at convincing me to come, hearing the plan that he’s got.
“The team is building something really exciting for the fans and for the club itself, so to come here and hopefully add to that is part of my plan.
“Fans can expect an exciting player, I work hard on and off the ball and always look to make things happen.
“Creativity is my main thing, I play box-to-box and aim to get fans off their seats.”
Image source, SNSDanny Armstrong insists he's fully committed to the Kilmarnock cause and is unmoved by speculation linking him with a move away from Rugby Park.
The 26-year-old has been one of the Premiership's top performers this year, which has led to murmurs that suitors could circle for the winger.
However, Armstrong says his focus is on playing football as the Ayrshire side look to consolidate their place in the top six.
"You can't get distracted by things like that," he said. "You let other people take care of rumours and links.
"I just need to keep my head down and concentrate of playing football. That's what I enjoy doing. It's nice, but for me, I'm fully happy at Kilmarnock.
"The gaffer has spoke to me just about football-related things. It's never a conversation [about a potential move] because I don't focus on that. The gaffer won't focus on that either.
"Any kind of outside noise is a nice compliment because it shows you're doing something right."
Image source, BBC SportSandy Armour, Killie Hippo fanzine
I have to share a wee tale that I read on social media around the Killie cup victory over Dundee.
An exiled fan, who shall remain anonymous, travelled from South Carolina, USA to take in the big cup game. He was raring to see his first Killie game in a while but was running a little late as kick-off time approached. You know the rest...
He was five minutes late and missed the two early goals that took Killie into the last 16.
I've watched Killie for over half a century and cannot remember another game where we were two up before the game was three minutes old. It was an excellent victory after the winter break and, with Greg Stewart joining us last week, the feelgood factor continues among the fans.
The fifth round draw was very kind to us as well and we have a fantastic opportunity to reach the quarter finals again.
It's back to league business this week as Hibs are the visitors to the Theatre of Pies. We should fear nobody at the moment and I can see another win to strengthen our top six challenge.
Image source, SNSSPFL chairman Murdoch MacLennan
The SPFL say the draft report of an independent review of the league's operations shows it complies "with significant elements of the UK Code of Corporate Governance".
The review was commissioned in July after the SPFL's chairman Murdoch MacLennan apologised to Rangers as a dispute over sponsorship was concluded.
The SPFL agreed a deal with car firm cinch in 2021 but Rangers did not promote the deal and took the matter to court, citing a prior agreement with rival car retailer Park's of Hamilton.
"I am reassured but not complacent," said MacLennan of the review.
"We will now take time to consider Henderson Loggie's detailed recommendations before bringing suggested changes back to the 42 SPFL member clubs for their consideration.
“Whilst a number of the recommendations from the draft report are already being addressed, the board and the wider organisation will, of course, take all necessary steps to improve further on the excellent work which has been undertaken to date."
Kilmarnock will face either Brora Rangers or Cove Rangers in the last 16 of the Scottish Cup.
Those two sides play on Tuesday 23 January after the fourth round game was postponed.
The tie will be played on the weekend of 10 February.
Image source, .We asked for your thoughts after Kilmarnock beat Dundee to reach the last 16 of the Scottish Cup.
Here's a taste of what you had to say:
Paul: Excellent start, and there were some flashes of great play, but Dundee spent too much time in our half throughout the game.
Adam: Good job Killie scoring two goals early on, because Dundee were the better footballing team overall. When are Kilmarnock going to realise things aren’t good in a game and change tactics, and maybe give players on the bench a fair crack at it? It’s a squad game, so use it.
Jack: A barnstorming start for Killie and a disastrous one for Dundee. Kilmarnock more than making up for conceding the late goal to Dundee a few weeks ago. Not a spectacle of a game however the result is all that matters. Good to see a bit of rotation in the Kilmarnock squad in certain areas and other players getting game time. Roll on the next round.
Anon: Great start but we need another midfielder in the transfer window. Dundee dominated the midfield after the first 20 minutes and our defence and bad finishing saw us over the line.
Watch highlights of Kilmarnock's Scottish Cup win against Dundee
Image source, SNSMartin Dowden, BBC Sport Scotland
Marley Watkins believes winning the Scottish Cup is a possibility for Kilmarnock after two goals in three minutes sent Derek McInnes’ side into the fifth round.
Watkins, who scored the decisive second just three minutes into their win over Dundee, also netted the winner against Celtic at Rugby Park in the Viaplay Cup earlier this season.
“Of course it’s possible because teams worse than us have won it,” the striker told BBC Scotland.
“As long as you’re in the hat, you’re in with a chance. On any given day we can beat anyone so of course we’ve got a chance like everyone else.”
Derek McInnes called for his side to attack this Scottish Cup campaign and they did so with a blistering start that ultimately overcame Dundee.
That built on a promising campaign that sees Kilmarnock fourth in the Scottish Premeirship, having defeated both Celtic and Rangers this season.
“Judge at the end of the season, there’s a long way to go but team spirit is high,” Watkins added.
“We all look out for each other and play some good stuff when we’re at our best we’re very good and can beat anyone. We just have to make sure levels are high and get better and better.”
Killie fans, were you at Rugby Park to see your side reach the Scottish Cup last 16, or were you following along from home?
Either way, we want your thoughts on the game. Have your say here.
Image source, SNSKilmarnock manager Derek McInnes: "We couldn't have wished for a better start. Straight from kick-off we score our first goal.
"It was a wee bit of a surprise - Kyle Vassell looked second best to get on the end of the ball through, but managed to get there and it's a lovely finish. We follow it up with Marley scoring from a set-play, so a fantastic start.
"Dundee had a bit more control and threat than we would have liked, and we'd have liked to have played better. We looked a wee bit rusty, but it was a cup tie against a good opponent and we're just glad to get through it."
Image source, SNSGreg Stewart says he has a point to prove in his Rugby Park return after rejoining Kilmarnock.
The forward left the Ayrshire club midway through the 2018/19 season with Steve Clarke's side flying high, instead choosing to spend the second half of the season at rivals Aberdeen.
“It’s good to be back, I am raring to go again," Stewart told club media, external.
“Over the last two or three days I had a couple of conversations [with the manager] and both of us wanted to get it done luckily enough, it was easy enough to be honest.
“I feel like I’ve got unfinished business at Rugby Park because of how I left last time.
“Being here before I know what this club is all about, and they seem to be in a good place again. It was a no-brainer really once we had a conversation we all wanted to get it done.
“I am delighted to be here and I am looking forward to getting started. The boys have done very well, I have always kept an eye out for results.
“Obviously I know some players from my time here before, so it’s good to see them again.
