Kilmarnock 1 Hibs 1: Instant reaction to the burning issues

Killie registered their first point of the season with a 1-1 draw against Hibs this afternoon, thanks to Bruce Anderson's late penalty.

Kilmarnock registered their first point of the season with a 1-1 draw against Hibs this afternoon. 

Here’s our instant reaction to the burning issues…

Off the mark

Finally, Killie are off the mark in the Scottish Premiership after a very difficult start domestically. It may only be a point, but any positive result was required today by hook or by crook. Bruce Anderson stepped up to the mark with a 90th-minute penalty to seal a much-needed point against Hibs. 

Killie still don’t look like they could buy a win at this early juncture, though. As has been discussed to death, there are various factors that have caused their poor start, but they can’t be pointed to forever. 

Killie were caught out by a corner straight from the training ground by the visitors, as Joe Newell scored with an outstanding finish into Kieran O’Hara’s far top corner. The keeper - who has deputised well in Robby McCrorie’s absence - seemed to be flat-footed as the bail sailed right over his head. Perhaps that’s a bit harsh after only one viewing without the benefit of replays.

Given how they played at points in the match, we’ll take a point and move on.

Corrie Ndaba is back

It was his first start since turning his move from Ipswich Town into a permanent deal. The Irishman has been out of action since signing in late July, although has been afforded some minutes after making the bench at Aberdeen. 

He made a solid start by winning a few interceptions, looking sharp considering his lack of game time, but he was rightly booked after eight minutes for a needless challenge on Lewis Miller. He went in at pace in a similar manner to Brad Lyons last week - who of course was sent off - and everyone in the stands was made to hold their breath incase VAR decided to get involved. Thankfully not on this occasion, but it was a wild tackle. 

That aside, it was great to see the big man back on the left of defence and he made a considerable difference with his composure on the ball and overlapping runs to give Matty Kennedy a different dimension when attacking. He looked back to his old self in terms of reading the game with decent positioning and making blocks. He’ll prove to be a shrewd addition if he can replicate his form of the first half of last season consistently. 

Ando shows what he’s got

Kyle Vassell was unlucky as he hit the post as his shot trickled past the Hibs goalie a short while before he left the field. He was not unlucky in the first half when he missed a sitter from all of about three yards out. The captain probably didn’t know an awful lot about it, but it ended up being more a goal-line clearance for Hibs rather than a shot on target. Simply put, carrying a knock or low on confidence aside, it had to be a goal to put Killie into a lead, which ultimately could’ve created a totally different outcome from the match.