Resurgent Hibernian made it four wins in succession for the first time since October 2022 as Nectar Triantis’ first-half header proved enough to secure a 1-0 victory over 10-player Kilmarnock.
The on-loan Sunderland midfielder notched his first goal for the Hibees in the 25th minute before Killie’s hopes of keeping their own mini-revival alive were dented just after the hour when Danny Armstrong was shown a second yellow card and became their eighth player to be sent off this term.
Hibs, who were rock-bottom of the William Hill Premiership earlier this month, are now 10 points clear of last-placed St Johnstone and within three points of the top six after winning five of their last six.
Manager David Gray made two changes from the side that started the Boxing Day victory away to city rivals Hearts as Warren O’Hora and Elie Youan – both nursing niggles – were replaced by Lewis Miller and Junior Hoilett.
Killie – who had not won at Easter Road since May 2014 when both teams were battling to avoid a relegation play-off – listed the same XI that started Thursday’s 4-0 demolition of Aberdeen.
Hibs should have gone ahead in the 11th minute but Hoilett scuffed his effort wide of a gaping goal from six yards out after Martin Boyle fizzed in a dangerous low delivery from the right.
At the other end, Killie strikers Bobby Wales and Kyle Vassell both saw shots saved by goalkeeper Jordan Smith after getting in behind the home defence.
Nectar Triantis (left) celebrates his winner against Kilmarnock
The hosts went close in the 24th minute when Nicky Cadden saw a powerful strike from eight yards out deflected just past the post. From the resulting corner, taken by Cadden, Triantis rose at the near post to power home a header and give Hibs the lead.
Killie suffered a further setback just after the half-hour when influential defender Joe Wright went off injured to be replaced by Robbie Deas.
Hibs lost a key player of their own when captain Joe Newell, who has been playing through injury recently, was replaced for the start of the second half.
Killie cranked up the pressure early in the second period but it was Hibs who went close to doubling their lead on the hour when Miller’s powerful strike was saved by Robby McCrorie and then Rocky Bushiri was unable to turn the ball home from close range when Hoilett drilled it back across goal.
The visitors’ hopes of finding an equaliser were dented in the 63rd minute, however, when Armstrong was shown a second yellow card for a late challenge on Jack Iredale as he tried to get on to the rebound after Smith parried Fraser Murray’s shot out to the edge of the six-yard box, and Hibs duly held firm.
What the managers said…
Hibernian boss David Gray:
“Can we play miles better? Yes, that wasn’t a classic by any means. The conditions were really difficult for both teams but I think we limited them to very few chances and dealt with their physicality.
“The big thing for me was all about the result today, especially off the back of such a big result and performance at Tynecastle.
“We needed to back that up today with a win and credit to the players and everyone involved for doing that. It wasn’t the prettiest but we take a lot of confidence from four straight wins.”
Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes:
“I’m annoyed with Danny’s [first] yellow card because he becomes involved with Cadden. It’s a foul and I can see why the referee has given him a yellow.
“The second one isn’t even a foul. I’ve watched it numerous times because I wanted to be sure coming up here (to the media room).
“Danny is slow getting in, he should’ve been sensing it and I wanted him on the inside of Iredale for a tap-in.
“All he’s tried to do is use his body to get a deflection from three or four yards out to get it over the line.
“If there is contact – and I’m saying ‘if’ – Iredale has swung his leg, Danny has made sure he’s not gone in with his feet and he’s maybe hit Danny on his way through. All he can do is make himself big.
“It’s not a foul but if it is, there is no way that it’s another yellow card.
“I despair at that decision. And at that point I thought Hibs looked a bit anxious. They were giving the ball away loosely and they were getting a bit agitated.
“We were having our best spell but we lost all momentum with the red card decision.
“I don’t want to keep going on about it and clearly I’m not proud with my team having another red card, but I’m at my wits’ end as to how that can be a red card.”
