Hibernian 0-1 Kilmarnock: Pressure mounting on David Gray as visitors pick up their first win of the season
Report as Kilmarnock beat Hibernian 1-0 in the William Hill Scottish Premiership; pressure mounting on David Gray as Hibs fans boo the team at the full-time whistle
Tuesday 15 September 2026 23:35, UK
George Stanger handed struggling Kilmarnock a first victory of the season as Hibernian lost six home league games in a row for the first time since 1920.
The defender bundled in a loose ball five minutes before the break to give the visitors their first three points of the season.
Killie should have added to their lead in a lively second half before then having to fend off intense late pressure.
The Hibs fans booed their team off as the pressure on head coach David Gray intensified.
Gray made just one change to the team that overcame Ross County 3-0 in the Premier Sports Cup on Saturday - Jacob Devaney coming in for club captain Joe Newell.
Kilmarnock's own cup journey came to an end in a bitterly disappointing shoot-out defeat to 10-man Aberdeen and boss Neil McCann freshened up his side.
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Bailey Rice - on loan from Rangers - was handed a first start in the middle of the park while MJ Kamson-Kamara - on a temporary deal from Hearts - was given his debut in defence.
Hibs started brightly and created a good opening after just four minutes.
Felix Passlack found Thibault Klidje and the striker laid it off to Josh Mulligan. The midfielder moved the ball onto his left but his attempt to find the top corner was well off target.
The home team were then forced into a change after just eight minutes when Kanayo Megwa hobbled off and was replaced by Grant Hanley.
The first half became a scrappy affair with neither side able to get a foothold.
Killie fashioned a couple of half chances that fell to Tyreece John-Jules but the towering striker was unable to capitalise.
But the away side took the lead five minutes before the break through Stanger.
Erik Ring's cross into the area was heading for goal and goalkeeper Rafa Sallinger had to be alert to make the block.
But the danger wasn't cleared and Stanger bundled the loose ball in from eight yards.
Killie had their tails up at the start of the second half and Hibs struggled to regain their composure as the groans from the home fans grew louder.
Rice had a powerful free-kick pushed away by Sallinger before the Hibs goalkeeper then kept out Greg Kiltie from a tight angle.
Joe Hugill thought he had doubled his team's lead in the 56th minute after getting on the end of Ring's low cross into the six-yard box.
But their celebrations were cut short after the VAR ruled that there had been an offside in the build-up.
That gave Hibs a boost after substitute Miguel Chaiwa had a stinging drive from 18 yards pushed over by Max Stryjek as they chased a leveller.
Hibs continued to live dangerously and Hugill wasted further chances.
The forward fired into the side netting from a counter-attack led by Ring and then had a shot blocked by Sallinger when he only had the keeper to beat from eight yards.
Hibs piled on the pressure late on but struggled to create any meaningful openings.
Defender Jason Kerr twice got headers away but goalkeeper Stryjek made a comfortable save before seeing the other drift wide.
Killie also had to contend with Djenairo Daniels picking up a second yellow card in the dying moments.
What the managers said:
Hibernian boss David Gray:
"I've been here during difficult times and I've been here during good times and you can't just say it's brilliant when things are going well and then not expect a bit of criticism when things aren't.
"In terms of asking for patience, the fans are frustrated because we're not achieving what we need to be at this stage and winning enough games consistently, especially at home.
"And I accept that. All I can say is until someone tells me otherwise I will be doing everything in my power, everything I possibly can as I have done at this football club to turn it around and I believe we can.
"It's a difficult time for everybody, the players, football club because we've lost again off the back of a good result at the weekend and then failed to back it up again."
Kilmarnock boss Neil McCann:
"I don't think I can ask anything more of that team down there - proper unity, proper togetherness and a proper will to see that out.
"We were asked some serious big questions about character.
"We had a goal chopped off, a stonewall penalty on Joe (Hugill) and big Rafa Sallinger had some brilliant saves.
"As a group of players that have just lost a penalty shootout for a chance to go to Hampden and missing out on that, psychologically that's a big test.
"But my God they come through it with flying colours. The keeper made some brilliant saves. I think you've just got to compliment the keeper on making big saves at that time.
"At the end we're soaking up pressure and Hibs are going to load it on you because of their shape and they're going to ask questions.
"We stood up to that and still had that threat ourselves going forward, we turned into a really good counter-attacking team.
"We had some big chances to put ourselves clear but it's a really good three points."
