Hibs in high drama against 10-man Killie - ratings and report from Rugby Park as Gray's men make statement

Hibs kicked off 2026 in dramatic fashion, maintaining the momentum built over the closing stages of the old year with a 3-1 win at Rugby Park. Victory over a Kilmarnock side who finished the game with 10 men keeps David Gray’s men within two points of Motherwell ahead of the Steelmen visiting Easter Road next weekend.

The visitors certainly had to work for the three points here. Elie Youan’s header inside the opening five minutes, the French forward netting his third goal of the season from a well-worked short corner, was cancelled out by Tyreece John-Jules scrambling home an equaliser just before the hour mark.

Youan netted his second from close range with just under 20 minutes remaining, killing off hopes of a home comeback. And Jamie McGrath converted a penalty he’d won himself with the 90 minutes up to secure a victory in trying circumstances.

With both top scorers missing, Martin Boyle out with a hamstring injury and Kieron Bowie only well enough to make the bench, Hibs went into this game lacking firepower. On paper, at least.

Josh Campbell picking up a knock in midweek, ruling the in-form attacking midfielder out of contention, also impacted on the starting XI Youan and Junior Hoilett came into the line-up. It didn’t take long for the former to make an impact.

The opener came from a very nicely-crafted corner kick out on the left, Dan Barlaser playing a one-two with Jamie McGrath and then delivering a right-footed in-swinger from a changed angle. His swooping ball met Youan rising at the back post, the forward beating Tobi Oluwayemi with a powerful header back across goal.

Hibs exerted a fair degree of control after the early opener, easily playing through Kilmarnock’s attempt to press the visitors and carving through the home defence with decent movement. Youan really should have made it 2-0 after creating a point-blank chance for himself via a sublime give-and-go with Jamie McGrath.

Kilmarnock did carry some threat, though, with flick-ons and runners in behind putting the Hibs defence – now tweaked after Kanayo Megwa limped off injured, with Chris Cadden taking his place – under pressure in the closing stages of the first half. A contest that had been comfortable for Gray’s men now felt just a little jittery.

Killie got the equaliser they’d been working for with 57 minutes on the clock, as a ball into the box caused all manner of unnecessary panic, substitute Zach Mitchell – on for the injured Jack Iredale – getting caught as John-Jules beat Raphael Sallinger from close range. Kilmarnock were now on the hunt for a win.

But Youan being in the right place at the right time to finish off after a McGrath shot had been spilled effectively finished the contest. When McGrath himself won a penalty with the 90 minutes up, then converted the spot kick himself, Killie – reduced to ten men by David Watson’s red card 10 minutes earlier – all debate was ended.