Joe Hugill scored and provided an assist for Findlay Curtis’ first goal for the club, while the defence recorded a well-earned clean sheet.
Kilmarnock moved 12 points clear of bottom-placed Livingston with a 2–0 victory at a sun-soaked Rugby Park this afternoon.
Joe Hugill scored and provided an assist for Findlay Curtis’ first goal for the club, while the defence recorded a well-earned clean sheet.
The visitors were reduced to 10 men when Brooklyn Kabongolo was shown a red card for denying Curtis a clear goalscoring opportunity 10 minutes from the end.
Neil McCann’s side were deserved winners in what was a huge game at the bottom end of the Premiership.
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Change to the line-up
There was a slight sense of surprise around Rugby Park when the team news dropped.
You could have been forgiven for expecting the same XI that defeated the league leaders last weekend to line up against bottom-of-the-table Livingston. However, one change in the forward area saw Marley Watkins come in for David Watson, with the shape reverting to a diamond in midfield and two up front.
It marked Watkins’ first start since the end of November, when the 35-year-old led the line against Dundee United at Rugby Park. The veteran striker, of course, had already made his mark in recent weeks - snatching a point at Tannadice last month with a looping header in stoppage time.
And the Welshman was at it again here, turning provider for Joe Hugill. His cross in the 26th minute was stabbed home by his strike partner to grab his second goal in Killie colours and hand the hosts a deserved lead at the interval.
Captain Brad Lyons also returned to the squad after missing out last week, coming on in the 56th minute to replace Aaron Tshibola, while Watson replaced Watkins as Killie looked to see out a vital three points.
Inspired Hugill
The January signing has been tasked with helping fire Killie to safety following the crushing injury to Tyreece John-Jules last month.
Coming through the ranks at Manchester United suggests there is real quality there, and the 22-year-old is beginning to show the Rugby Park faithful - and the wider Scottish Premiership - exactly what he is capable of.
He grabbed his second goal for the club, stabbing home from close range after excellent work from his strike partner in the first half.
In truth, the attacker could have had more. He found himself with a gilt-edged opportunity inside the opening minute after being picked out by Greg Kiltie’s cross from the right, but had more time than he perhaps realised. Still, it set the tone for an afternoon in which he was a constant threat.
Against Hearts last week, he led the line valiantly and was unfortunate not to find the net. Here, with Marley Watkins alongside him, the Englishman caused all sorts of problems - his pace in behind providing a consistent outlet for the home side.
He would then turn provider in the 78th minute, showing great initiative and a delicate touch to release the ball in behind before using his blistering pace to latch onto it and deliver across goal. Findlay Curtis still had work to do, but applied a fine finish from close range to put the three points beyond doubt for Killie.
Curtis off the mark
It has been a whirlwind week for the 19-year-old - from a first call-up to Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad on Monday to scoring his first goal for the club this afternoon.
He carried on his impressive form from last week and looked lively from the outset, linking up well with Michael Schjønning-Larsen down the left-hand side.
The Rangers loanee showed real confidence throughout, not afraid to shoot and back himself, and was eventually rewarded for his persistence - grabbing his first goal in blue and white after being set up by Hugill.
His pace caused Livingston problems all afternoon, and it proved decisive when Brooklyn Kabongolo was shown a red card following a VAR intervention for pulling Curtis back as he raced through on goal, denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.
The teenager is thriving right now - and there is clearly more to come.
Perspective
Killie may remain in the bottom two, but they have cut Livingston adrift at the foot of the Scottish Premiership.
St Mirren picked up a crucial win at Falkirk this afternoon, preventing the Ayrshire side from climbing out of the play-off place they have occupied since Stuart Kettlewell’s departure on 14 December 2025.
However, it is now four wins from five at Rugby Park for Neil McCann’s side as they push for top-flight survival.
Aberdeen - who are currently in action at Ibrox - have also been dragged into the dogfight, sitting just three points clear of both St Mirren and Killie.
At the other end, the defence recorded back-to-back clean sheets. While there were a few nervy moments in the second half, Kelle Roos was rarely troubled, aside from a Daniel Finlayson effort that struck the post in the 76th minute.
It is no coincidence that the return of Jamie Brandon has brought greater stability to the backline as the season moves into its business end.
Ayrshire in the sun
A bumper crowd of over 5,700 was inside Rugby Park to see Killie overcome Livingston in what was a huge game for both sides.
There was a noticeable increase in footfall in and around the ground in the build-up to kick-off, with the home support turning up in their numbers for the occasion.
The Ayrshire sunshine played its part, as did Killie Community Matchday, but more than anything, supporters are beginning to see something to get behind under the stewardship of Neil McCann and Billy Dodds.
Before the match, the club paid tribute to the late Jim Fleeting. A minute’s applause was impeccably observed by supporters on both sides in memory of the former manager, who sadly passed away last week at the age of 70.
Fleeting took charge of Kilmarnock between 1989 and 1992 and is widely regarded as a pioneer, playing a key role in the early modernisation of the club. What stands at Rugby Park today is a far cry from that era, but his influence remains part of its foundations. He will be sorely missed.