Stephen Kingsley scored a late winner as 10-man Hearts defeated Kilmarnock 1-0 in an end-of-season William Hill Premiership match played against the backdrop of manager Derek McInnes’ impending switch from Rugby Park to Tynecastle.
The Jambos made their move to land Killie’s boss last week, and the deal is set to be officially confirmed on Monday.
As a result, McInnes was absent from Rugby Park as the side he is about to take charge of overcame the first-half dismissal of Yan Dhanda to beat the team he has managed since January 2022.
In what became a final-day battle of the interim bosses, Liam Fox, who will leave the Jambos after overseeing four consecutive victories since taking the reins from the sacked Neil Critchley, got the better of Chris Burke, who took charge of ninth-placed Killie for the first time.
Burke made three changes to the Killie side that crashed to a 3-0 defeat at Motherwell in McInnes’ last game on Wednesday, with goalkeeper Robby McCrorie, Brad Lyons and Bobby Wales – whose summer transfer to Swansea was confirmed on the morning of the game – all added to the starting line-up.
There were also three changes to the Hearts side from their 2-1 victory over St Johnstone as Scotland keeper Zander Clark was given his first appearance since August, while Kingsley made his first start in five and a half months and Calem Nieuwenhof his second start of the season.
There were a few chants of “oh, Derek McInnes” from the travelling fans but generally there was none of the awkwardness and acrimony there might have been had the 53-year-old – heckled by sections of the Killie support at Motherwell in midweek – stuck to his initial stated intention of taking charge of the Ayrshire side for one final time in this largely meaningless bottom-six fixture.
The hosts started brightly, with both David Watson and Danny Armstrong threatening in the opening quarter of an hour.
Hearts suffered a blow in the 22nd minute as Clark’s miserable campaign, in which he lost his first-choice status to Craig Gordon after going to Euro 2024 with Scotland last summer, ended with him being forced off injured and replaced by Ryan Fulton.
The visitors suffered a more significant setback in the 38th minute when they were reduced to 10 men after Dhanda was deemed to have raised his studs on to the ankle of Stuart Findlay as he tried to go past the Killie defender after hurdling a challenge from Watson.
Findlay – who looked laboured after the incident – did not re-emerge for the second half, with Bruce Anderson on in his place and the substitute headed straight at Fulton within seconds of the restart.
Hearts generally coped well with their numerical disadvantage, however, and Alan Forrest and Cammy Devlin both tested McCrorie as they started to get a grip of the game.
Kingsley eventually broke the deadlock in the 89th minute when he rifled home a low shot after Adam Forrester’s free-kick broke to him just inside the box, ensuring the Jambos ended a largely dispiriting campaign on a relative high note by securing a seventh-placed finish ahead of the arrival of their new boss.
Liverpool forward Diogo Jota has died in a tragic car accident in Spain along with his brother.Footballer involved in crash in SpainHis brother Andre also died in collisionLiverpool striker had got married two weeks earlierWHAT HAPPENED?According to Marca, Jota and his brother Andre, also a professional footballer, both died when the vehicle they were travelling in came off the road in the provinc...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Gyokeres & Sesko Do I join them? Chelsenal Dr. Tomiyasu & Dr. Diaby One of the best pictures at the Club World Cup 2025.. Joao Pedro is officially a Chelsea player. One club's trash is another club's treasurePlease stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, FootballLaughss, thefootballarenaa, BleacherReportFootball)...
As reported by The Independant, Lyon have set a price of at least £51.5m (€60m) for 20-year-old Malick Fofana who is being targeted by several Premier League sides who feel that the youngster can bolster their attack. Journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that Nottingham Forest had agree a deal with Lyon earlier this week but are yet to convince the player of a move due to interest from o...
The value of the upcoming third Manchester United bid for Bryan Mbeumo has been revealed, and the club are optimistic the improved terms they'll put forward will satisfy Brentford, according to reports.Man Utd are desperate to sign Mbeumo in time for the start of pre-season training on July 7. That is just a few days away and the Red Devils will have no issues finalising personal terms with the le...
Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing wantaway RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba - but will likely have to tussle for him.The Reds are ramping up their search for a centre-back after selling Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen for £35million.Lukeba, 22, has established a strong reputation over the past few seasons at Lyon and Leipzig and earned himself a senior France cap. But the 6...
Atletico prepare a major bid for Spurs' RomeroAtletico Madrid are planning a formal offer for Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Cristian Romero, according to AS. The Spanish club is expected to table a proposal worth €55 million upfront, with an additional €15 million tied to performance-based clauses.Diego Simeone is reportedly eager to bring the Argentina international to the Wanda Metro...
Barcelona make Marc Casado transfer decision amid Chelsea interestBarcelona have reportedly set their asking price for midfielder Marc Casado as Premier League side Chelsea and La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid circle.The 21-year-old could be set to leave Barcelona this summer as they seek to ease their ongoing issues with FFP and offer Nico Williams guarantees he could be registered.According to Spa...
FBL-GER-BUNDESLIGA-LEVERKUSEN-TEN HAGBayer Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes wants to use funds from Florian Wirtz’s mega sale to create a title-winning team.WHAT HAPPENED?Leverkusen want to use the £116 million ($158m) generated from Wirtz’s transfer to Liverpool to fund potential player recruitment and build a side that would fight for major accolades and challenge Bunde...
Athletic Club v Real Valladolid CF - La Liga EA SportsBayern Munich are looking to pounce on the opportunity to lure Nico Williams to Bundesliga, amid lack of registration guarantees from Barcelona.WHAT HAPPENED?According to Sky Sports of Germany, Bayern Munich are intensifying their pursuit of Nico Williams, aiming to capitalise on the winger’s hesitation over a move to Barcelona. The Bavar...
It's semifinal time in the Concacaf Gold Cup for the host country!Enjoy the play-by-play from Wednesday's game: United States versus Guatemala at Energizer Park in St. Louis.Jump to: Gold Cup home page | Liveblog...
- 1 Liverpool willing to make swap proposal to Palace for Guehi
- 2 Raphinha happy to see Barcelona miss out on FIFA Club World Cup
- 3 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 4 Mystery blonde who had night out with Kieran Trippier
- 5 Chelsea transfer at 'final stages'
- 6 Club World Cup 2025: Benfica v Chelsea predictions, best bets and odds
- 7 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 8 Sporting CP president Varandas: Gyokeres knows price he can leave for
- 9 Frustrated Arsenal turn to Eintracht Frankfurt striker Ekitike
- 10 Transfer news & rumours LIVE