Kilmarnock character delights Steve Clarke in win at Hearts

Steve Clarke saluted Kilmarnock's character after their 2-1 victory over Hearts at Murrayfield gave him his first win as manager of the Rugby Park club.

Veteran striker and captain Kris Boyd opened the scoring in the 31st minute with a typically clinical finish although Isma Goncalves, who hit the woodwork before and after Killie's opener, levelled with a quarter of an hour left.

But with four minutes remaining, moments after Goncalves missed a good chance to give the home side the lead, substitute Adam Frizzell, on for Chris Burke in the 72nd minute, fired in the winner.

Clarke began his tenure with 1-1 draws against Rangers and Celtic before losing 3-0 at home to Hibernian in midweek but the former West Brom boss claimed the win, which took Kilmarnock above Partick Thistle into 10th place in the Ladbrokes Premiership, was reward for all four matches.

He said: “We proved that (character) at Ibrox and then at Celtic Park and showed it today. We should have won a little bit more comfortably but we'll take the win.

“I didn't have pre-conceived ideas. If you watched our performances since I came into the club than they have all been good.

“We haven't really had a bad performance and that result was reward for the previous three games without a win.''

It was a third successive defeat for Hearts, who have taken four points from 12 during their tenancy at the home of Scottish rugby.

Boss Craig Levein said: “The one scenario I didn't envisage, once we got back into the game, was losing.''

The former Scotland manager is looking forward to returning to Tynecastle and its refurbished main stand when they host Partick Thistle after the international break.

He said: “It just feels better. It's where we're used to playing.

“Historically, we've picked up most of our points there. It will help us.

“I just think it's like you guys going home at night, walking in the door and thinking 'ah, this feels good'.

“That's what Tynecastle is like for us. You feel relaxed and more comfortable in your own environment.

“We haven't had that. Thankfully we're nearly back.

“Mind you, if we play like we did in the first half, it won't make any difference.''

Northern Ireland defender Aaron Hughes was missing again with a calf injury which has kept him out since September 30.

Levein revealed the 37-year-old will miss his country's home World Cup play-off first-leg against Switzerland on Thursday but could make the return game on Sunday.

He said: “Aaron is not playing on Thursday but will see how he is for the Sunday.

“I was trying to push him for today but he's only had two days' full training.

“The medical advice is for seven to 10 days of full training, so that maybe takes him to the second leg.

“He's an experienced player. Him getting a game in the second leg actually might help us.'

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