Kilmarnock Vs Hearts

As the Scottish Premiership season draws to a close, Kilmarnock and Hearts are set to face off in their final league match on Sunday afternoon. While both teams have already secured their top-flight status for next season, there remains plenty to play for in this encounter. Kilmarnock, assured of a ninth-place finish, will be looking to end their campaign on a high note, while Hearts are still fighting to finish as the best team in the relegation round group, adding an extra layer of significance to the fixture.  

Kilmarnock’s journey over the past few seasons has been one of resilience and progression. After earning promotion back to the Scottish Premiership in the 2022-23 season, they narrowly avoided the relegation playoff spot in their first year back, finishing just six points clear of danger. However, their second season back in the top flight was nothing short of remarkable, as they surged to a fourth-place finish, securing European qualification—a testament to the progress made under manager Derek McInnes. Their Europa League adventure, though brief, was a historic moment for the club, even if their campaign in continental competition ended prematurely.  

This season, however, has been a mixed bag for Kilmarnock. A dismal start saw them win just one of their first 13 matches across all competitions, including early exits from both the Europa League and the Conference League. Their struggles in the league were particularly concerning, with their first victory only arriving on matchday seven in a hard-fought 3-2 win over Dundee. Despite showing flashes of promise, inconsistency plagued their campaign, resulting in a ninth-place finish in the regular season with a record of nine wins, eight draws, and 16 losses.  

Entering the post-split fixtures, Kilmarnock’s position was far from secure, sitting just one point above Dundee, who occupied the relegation playoff spot. However, McInnes’ side responded emphatically, winning three of their four matches since the split, ensuring their safety with an eight-point cushion over Ross County in 11th. With one game remaining, Kilmarnock’s league position is already determined—they cannot overtake Motherwell in eighth, nor can they be caught by Dundee in tenth. Nevertheless, ending the season with a victory would provide a psychological boost ahead of the summer, allowing the team to build momentum for the next campaign.  

On the other side, Hearts arrive in impressive form, having won their last three matches to reclaim top spot in the relegation round table. Their recent resurgence comes after a brief dip in form, which saw them drop to eighth following a 1-0 defeat to Dundee in their first post-split fixture. This season has been a far cry from Hearts’ usual standards, as they have traditionally been among the strongest teams outside the Old Firm in recent years.  

Over the past three seasons, Hearts have consistently finished in the top four, securing third-place finishes twice and a fourth-place finish in between. These strong performances earned them European football, raising expectations that they would once again challenge for continental qualification this term. However, a disastrous start to the campaign derailed those ambitions early on. Hearts failed to win any of their first 10 matches across all competitions, a run that included the dismissal of manager Steven Naismith. His successor, Neil Critchley, initially steadied the ship, but a late-season collapse saw Hearts miss out on a top-six finish by the narrowest of margins.  

Despite being well-placed to secure sixth place in the closing stages of the season, two defeats and a final-day draw condemned Hearts to seventh, just one point behind St Mirren. The opening post-split defeat to Dundee proved to be Critchley’s last game in charge, with Liam Fox taking over on an interim basis. Fox has overseen an immediate turnaround, guiding the team to three consecutive victories, reigniting hope among the Hearts faithful.  

With one game remaining, Hearts sit one point clear of Motherwell in eighth, meaning a win against Kilmarnock would guarantee they finish as the highest-placed team in the relegation round group. While this may not carry the prestige of a European qualification spot, it would still represent a strong finish to what has been a turbulent season. For Hearts, ending the campaign on a high could provide a platform for a more successful 2024-25 season, particularly if they can carry their current momentum into the summer transfer window and beyond.  

As both teams prepare for Sunday’s encounter, the stakes may not be as high as a relegation decider or a European qualification clash, but pride and momentum are still on the line. Kilmarnock will want to reward their fans with a strong performance at home, while Hearts will be determined to cap off their late-season revival with another victory. The match promises to be an intriguing contest, with both sides eager to finish the season on a positive note before turning their attention to next year’s challenges.