Kilmarnock fans turned their ire on Tynecastle-bound manager Derek McInnes as they fell to a 3-0 defeat against Motherwell.
McInnes had revealed Hearts and Kilmarnock had agreed a deal for him to move to Edinburgh on the eve of the trip to Fir Park, with his switch expected to be confirmed early next week.
The away fans were not particularly audible from the top tier of the Tommy McLean Stand but it would have been clear to McInnes that they viewed his impending move with disdain.
Cries of “Hearts are falling apart again” were among the kinder chants and there were other, more personal ones which encouraged McInnes to expedite his move.
Motherwell eventually made their numerical superiority count after Robbie Deas’ first-half red card with a goal flurry in the final 13 minutes.
Luke Armstrong netted either side of Callum Slattery’s strike as Motherwell secured three points which consigned Killie to a ninth-placed finish in the William Hill Premiership.
The Steelmen go into Sunday’s final day a point behind Hearts, who travel to Rugby Park in what could be a highly awkward afternoon for McInnes.
Motherwell manager Michael Wimmer handed Ewan Wilson his first start since his first game in charge in February while Tawanda Maswanhise made way for Harry Paton.
Killie started the brighter team. Liam Donnelly twice saw efforts deflected wide and both Danny Armstrong and Bruce Anderson had half chances.
Tom Sparrow headed wide at the other end before the game turned in the 29th minute when Deas brought Lennon Miller down on the edge of the box as the midfielder ran through on goal.
It looked a clear goalscoring opportunity and referee Duncan Nicolson, making his Premiership debut, eventually agreed after looking at his VAR monitor having initially shown a yellow card.
Miller’s free-kick was comfortably saved and Danny Armstrong came closer from a set-piece which Aston Oxborough touched on to the bar.
Motherwell created far more chances after the break, during which Paton made way for Luke Armstrong.
Kieran O’Hara saved Tony Watt’s header and a Slattery shot before Andy Halliday missed the target.
Wimmer also brought on Moses Ebiye up front and both he and Armstrong were denied before Sparrow shot just wide.
The breakthrough came when Stephen O’Donnell delivered an inviting cross which Armstrong headed home from six yards.
Slattery curled just inside the post six minutes later after a swift exchange of passes just outside the box.
And Armstrong netted his second within three minutes as he let fly from 20 yards after brilliant skill from Miller.
The 18-year-old was immediately substituted to allow the Motherwell fans to give him a standing ovation on what could well be his final appearance at Fir Park amid serious and widespread transfer interest.
McInnes did not join his players as they went to show their appreciation to the remaining visiting fans at full-time.
Leyton Orient manager Richie Wellens hailed his team as outstanding after they survived a penalty shootout to reach the Sky Bet League One play-off final.The Londoners prevailed 4-1 on spot-kicks after an absorbing semi-final with Stockport ended 3-3 on aggregate following a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Edgeley Park on Wednesday.Orient, who will now play Charlton or Wycombe at Wembley, are potentially ...
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers criticised Aberdeen midfielder Pape Gueye for a “needless challenge” on Reo Hatate in the Hoops’ 5-1 victory.Johnny Kenny marked his full Celtic debut with his first goal for the club, heading home the fourth early in the second half at Pittodrie.Maik Nawrocki also headed his first goal with Yang Hyun-jun, Luke McCowan and Adam Idah also on target.K...
Barry Ferguson was left feeling emotional hearing Rangers fans signing his name at the end of the 3-1 William Hill Premiership win over Dundee United.The former Gers captain was installed as boss in February until the end of the season and, amid an impending takeover, it seems the club could go elsewhere for a permanent manager with Davide Ancelotti – son of Real Madrid head coach Carlo &nda...
Hibernian manager David Gray thanked the club’s board for sticking by him after his team secured third place in the William Hill Premiership with a 2-2 draw at St Mirren.First-half efforts from Martin Boyle and Mykola Kukharevych had Hibs in the ascendancy before Saints hit back to earn a point thanks to goals from Richard Taylor and Conor McMenamin.The draw, though, combined with Aberdeen&r...
Simo Valakari had no complaints after his dejected St Johnstone players learned their 16-year stay in the William Hill Premiership was over when they returned to the dressing room several minutes after their 2-1 defeat at Hearts.Despite losing at Tynecastle, Saints thought they were going to have one last crack at survival on Sunday as Ross County – the team immediately above them – we...
Dundee boss Tony Docherty left media duties to his assistant Stuart Taylor after “confusion and disbelief” following the controversial 1-1 draw with Ross County at Dens Park.Docherty, who has criticised several VAR calls this season, had been visibly furious after the Staggies were awarded a last-gasp penalty.Dundee were leading 1-0 thanks to a Scott Tiffoney goal and seemed on course ...
Kilmarnock assistant manager Paul Sheerin claimed boss Derek McInnes was in a “horrible situation” after being subjected to the anger of a number of visiting fans during a 3-0 defeat at Motherwell.Supporters sang anti-Hearts songs before moving on to more personal chants about McInnes after he confirmed both clubs had agreed a deal for him to move to Tynecastle.That switch is expected ...
Leyton Orient held their nerve in a penalty shootout to reach the League One play-off final after a gripping semi-final battle with Stockport.Jack Diamond and Ryan Rydel missed from 12 yards as Orient prevailed 4-1 on spot-kicks after an absorbing tie had ended 3-3 on aggregate following a breathless 1-1 draw at Edgeley Park.Ollie O’Neill had fired Orient ahead after just three minutes but S...
Airdrieonians took an advantage in the first leg of the Scottish Championship play-off final with a 2-1 victory over Cove at Balmoral Stadium.The visitors relied on a set-piece to put themselves in front with right-back Dylan MacDonald rising highest off a corner to nod in Adam Frizzell’s delivery after 16 minutes.The lead did not last long however with Lewis McGrattan’s own goal after...
Ronan Hale’s controversial stoppage-time penalty kept alive Ross County’s hopes of avoiding the relegation play-offs as they drew 1-1 at fellow strugglers Dundee.The Dark Blues took the lead in the second half through Scott Tiffoney and seemed on course to secure their William Hill Premiership status.But deep in added time Hale salvaged a point for the Staggies from the spot after Ryan...
- 1 Richie Wellens hails Leyton Orient’s ‘outstanding’ victory over Stockport
- 2 Man Utd are losing the feeling of being a massive club – Ruben Amorim
- 3 Eddie Howe tells Newcastle to ‘drive forward’ and seal Champions League spot
- 4 Rangers thump Aberdeen to end five-match winless streak at Ibrox
- 5 Newcastle beat 10-man Chelsea to take step towards Champions League spot
- 6 Leyton Orient book Wembley date by beating Stockport on penalties
- 7 Albanian Laura Woods goes braless in pink top
- 8 AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson wary of Notts County fightback in second leg
- 9 World’s sexiest tennis influencer Rachel Stuhlmann in leggy
- 10 Brendan Rodgers hits out at ‘needless challenge’ on Reo Hatate