Kilmarnock midfielder Liam Donnelly is struggling with a calf problem while defender Corrie Ndaba remains out with an ankle injury.
Nick Montgomery takes of charge of Hibernian for the first time amid doubts over the fitness of Jordan Obita (hamstring) and Jake Doyle-Hayes (ankle).
Dylan Levitt (ankle), Jojo Wollacott (thigh), Harry McKirdy (heart) and Chris Cadden (Achilles) remain out.
Image source, SNSForward Andy Dallas is relishing being part of a club "going in the right direction" as he looks to enjoy a fruitful season-long loan stint at Kilmarnock.
The 24-year-old former Rangers youngster, who arrived at Rugby Park on deadline day from Barnsley, said: "Everyone I’ve spoken to about the club and the manager has always been really positive - I’m just really excited about the move.
“It was obviously a bit hectic being the last few hours of the window, so I drove up overnight for the game against Ross County. I’ve had a bit more time to settle in now and I’m loving it.
“Growing up in Scotland, you always want to play in the top league and that was my debut in the Premiership. That’s something you always want to do as a young boy, so being able to do it now is a dream come true.
“I moved down to England at 19/20 and I’ve come up a different person, on and off the pitch. I’m confident that I’m able to make the step up. Everywhere I’ve gone I’ve scored goals, so why not do it here as well?"
Image source, sns
The weekend starts here. Premiership action is back on Saturday and we have all six games covered in our preview podcast.
Don't miss out - give it a listen.
Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes has recalled the “carnage” of a previous meeting with new Hibs Nick Montgomery as they prepare to go head to head in the Premiership.
McInnes was West Brom captain and a key figure in the ‘Battle of Bramall Lane’ between Sheffield United and the Baggies in March 2002.
McInnes scored for West Brom while Montgomery was on the bench for the Blades, who had three men sent off, including substitute Patrick Suffo for headbutting the current Rugby Park boss.
When the hosts were left with just six players after two went off injured at 3-0 down, referee Eddie Wolstenholme had to abandon the game, with West Brom subsequently awarded a 3-0 win.
McInnes said: "I remember getting headbutted and scoring the best goal I have ever scored. Nobody talks about the goal, they always talk about the headbutt.
"It was just carnage. It was an unsavoury afternoon for English football.
"Nick was an unused sub but we were just the opponent, we weren't part of it, it was all played out by Sheffield United.
"What went on that day was ridiculous and nothing will change my mind on it, it was a deliberate act to try to get a game abandoned.
"I felt for the referee. We were pleading with him to make sure it got finished, but the antics of that lot led to it being abandoned. We got a 3-0 win awarded to us.
"I haven't seen Nick since we were all fighting in the tunnel that day - no, I am joking.
"I knew Nick was operating in Australia and doing well and he deserves this opportunity and I am looking forward to catching up with him tomorrow."
McInnes, looking for Killie to get back on track after losing to Motherwell and Ross County before the international break, is saddened that Hibs have already replaced Lee Johnson as manager so early in the season.
"It is unfair, but decisions get made above us as managers,” he added. “It is getting more and more difficult to manage in the modern era.”
Image source, SNS
Kilmarnock have won four of their last six top-flight home matches against Hibs (L2), as many as their previous 14 beforehand (W4 D5 L5).
Hibs have won six of their last seven league meetings with Kilmarnock (L1), conceding just one goal in the last five of these contests.
After losing 1-0 to Ross County last time out, Kilmarnock are looking to avoid consecutive home defeats in the Scottish Premiership for the first time since February 2021 (run of three).
After beating Aberdeen 2-0, Hibs could win successive league matches for the first time since February/March of last season, when they won three in a row, including a 2-0 victory over Kilmarnock.
Kilmarnock’s Derek McInnes has never lost at home to Hibs as a manager in the top flight in 11 previous matches (W8 D3); only against St Mirren (13) has he managed more home games in the top tier without losing.
Kilmarnock are seeking a return to winning ways after the international break when they host Hibs on Saturday.
Having suffered back-to-back defeats, can the Rugby Park men kickstart their season and ensure a losing debut for new Hibs boss Nick Montgomery?
Put yourself in Derek McInnes’ shoes and pick your starting XI here.
Sandy Armour, Killie Hippo fanzine
After a disappointing couple of results it was perhaps the ideal time for an international break as far as Killie were concerned.
Of course there is no getting away from our famous old club as it's a good Killie man steering our national team to Germany next summer.
His achievement of turning previously average players into stars has been remarkable but any Killie fan will just tell you it's a mirror image of what he achieved at the Theatre of Pies.
I was one of the so-called knowledgeable fans who said you couldn't play Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney in the same team, yet here we are now, with both players outstanding in their respective roles.
It's simply down to a fantastic manager who keeps the instructions simple, instils the players with belief, and now it seems like half the country is trying to fathom if they can squeeze six folk in a wee campervan and head for the Channel Tunnel next June.
This Saturday it's back to reality as Hibs, with new manager Nick Montgomery in place, travel to Rugby Park for what should be an entertaining encounter.
It’s a good game for Killie to get back on track and I'll predict a narrow victory for the famous stripes.
Image source, SNSA controversial plan to shake up how football supporters' buses operate in Scotland has been shelved after a backlash.
The Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain unveiled plans for new guidelines on what the supporters' buses can do on match days.
This included any pub stops only being allowed at premises which serve a "substantial meal" with alcohol bought.
The move was widely criticised and the senior commissioner has now halted work on the proposed guidelines, saying he had "listened to the strength of feeling expressed".
A joint statement from the Scottish FA, SPFL, and Scottish Women’s Premier League said "common sense has prevailed" and thanked "clubs, fans and politicians across the country for their unanimous support in opposing and ultimately preventing these unreasonable and unworkable guidelines from being implemented.”
Kilmarnock winger Matty Kennedy returned from more than two years in the international wilderness and contributed an assist but couldn't prevent Northern Ireland falling to a 4-2 defeat in Slovenia.
Kennedy played the opening 45 minutes of the Euro 2024 qualifier and was integral to the visitors' early equaliser as his shot was saved by Jan Oblak and Isaac Price tucked in the rebound.
Kennedy then curled a free-kick wide but Michael O'Neill's side soon wilted and were 3-1 down at the break on their way to a fourth straight loss that all but ends their qualification hopes.
Killie defender Brad Lyons - who is in the Northern Ireland squad for the first time - remains waiting for his debut after being an unused sub in Ljubljana.
Image source, gettyFour games, four points. After opening the Premeiership with a memorable win over Rangers, Kilmarnock have stumbled somewhat, and headed into the international break on the back of successive defeats.
Firepower is proving an issue in the early stages of the campaign. With just two goals scored, Killie have the joint lowest total in the division and are the only side yet to net from open play.
When you consider the Rugby Park men's expected goals (XG) is 3.73, it shows they've not been making the most of their opportunities.
It's not a case that they haven't been getting forward - only the Old Firm and Hearts can top Killie's 95 touches in the opposition box and 50 shots. Yet, just 14 efforts on target and a conversion rate of 4% - the second lowest behind Hearts' 3.9% - points to a lack of finesse and composure in front of goal.
Winger Matty Kennedy has yet to open his account but has fired in a joint league high 13 shots and won 11 fouls, second only to Motherwell's Callum Slattery.
At the other end of the pitch, Killie have conceded just three goals - only Rangers and Hearts have shipped fewer - and are outperforming their XG against of 4.61. Solid.
Brad Lyons - the goal hero against Rangers - stands out in the individual stats. The defender has won possession 38 times - the second highest total of any player in the league - and his 11 tackles are also in the top five.
Image source, snsKilmarnock's Premiership home game with Aberdeen next month has been rescheduled and chosen for live TV coverage.
The visit of the Dons - who play in Europe on the preceding Thursday - will now take place on Sunday, 29 October at 12:00 BST.
Image source, snsScottish football’s leading governing bodies have criticised “unnecessary and heavy-handed” new proposals for fans travelling to games.
The UK government’s consultation paper ‘Guidelines for taking passengers to sporting events in Scotland’ proposes restrictions on buses carrying supporters to matches.
The proposed new rules include buses not being allowed to stop within 10 miles of the stadium without police permission, no stops at a pub for a beer unless it’s sold with a “substantial meal”, and no drop-offs or pick-ups from unauthorised locations without permission from the police.
A joint statement from the Scottish FA, SPFL and Scottish Women’s Premier League said: “There's no evidence that this is a significant problem in Scottish football. We are concerned by the targeted nature of these proposals, which serve to demonise football fans and interfere unnecessarily in people’s lives.
“In Scotland, there are already appropriate powers held by PHV operators, Police Scotland and other partners to deal effectively with a very small number of incidents by a minority of fans.
“The consultation itself notes that the majority of football fans are law-abiding and do not cause any disturbances when travelling to or from games, yet these proposals would unfairly affect the vast majority of football fans who travel safely and respectfully to and from matches on a weekly basis.
“We don’t support these unnecessary and heavy-handed proposals and we will be making our views clear in the consultation.”
Image source, sns
Sandy Armour, Killie Hippo fanzine
Killie's explosive start to the season is rapidly becoming a distant memory as we have had to endure back-to-back defeats against Motherwell and Ross County.
It appears that if teams get in our faces, make the game physical and force the long-ball game we simply cannot handle it. Perhaps that is all a bit too simplistic but there is no doubt Malky Mackay had done his homework and we struggled to cope for long spells.
Of course I can't write an article without mentioning the totally embarrassing performance of the so-called experienced referee Kevin Clancy.
In the first half he jumped in feet first and hurriedly awarded a spot-kick to Ross County when it was clear to all and sundry that Stuart Findlay had won the ball. VAR dug him out of a hole on that occasion but no such luck when he hurriedly blew for a spot-kick to Killie when Findlay had nodded the ball in for an equaliser.
I don't for one minute think he is biased against Killie, he is just totally incompetent and when you consider he is one of our experienced officials it speaks volumes about the standard of officiating in Scotland.
I'm away for a lie down now and will be dreaming about Sir Steve Clarke sparking a Scottish invasion of Germany next summer.
Another weekend of the Scottish Premiership is done and dusted, and as always, our Monday podcast takes a look back on the action just gone by.
Liam McLeod is joined by chief sports writer Tom English to dissect the madness.
Image source, BBC SportDrama enshrouds Ross County's narrow win at Rugby Park.
Image source, SNSGary: We were far from at our best today, however we weren’t looking for any favours, only for the rules to be adhered to. Clancy does not blow until the ball is past the County keeper. Let’s hope it’s not a costly point when they are all counted up.
Jim: I thought today we looked nervy and didn't play as well as we can. Fair play to Ross County they closed us down and got there reward. There were over 5000 there today. The referee made a big mistake which cost us a point but we had the opportunity to score from the penalty which we missed. I'm sure we can move on and get the points we need.
Amy: We were poor and lacked a cutting edge but that decision from Kevin Clancy is one of the worst I've ever seen. It would be bad at any time but when every ref let's plays run to completion before pulling it back for a perceived offence now we have VAR it's nothing short of a joke.
Anon: I agree with McInnes, we got a perfectly good goal chalked off and gives a penalty, it should've been a draw if not a win with chanced created.
Robert: In my 60 years of following Killie I have never been so angry about a referee decision. An experienced referee should not have made such an error. Thought whole game he looked disinterested as if he didn't want to be there.
Were you at Kilmarnock's loss to Ross County? Click here to have your say on the match.
Image source, BBC Sport
