Kilmarnock 1 - 1 Hibernian: Yves Makalambay reprises pantomime villain role, but fine Hibs run goes on

Published on Sunday 13 December 2009 23:14

THIS match was made for an overdose of seasonal cliché. We had some knockabout slapstick whenever Kevin Kyle and Sol Bamba went for the same ball; Liam Miller sprinkled star dust like a butch Fairy Godmother; Colin Nish was a hard-working Buttons.

Yves Makalambay made the save of the game from a 12th- minute Kyle header, before reprising his well-worn pantomime villain piece for the Kilmarnock goal; Mark Burchill finally got to the ball to take advantage of the big Belgian's error, while the respective management teams, with fourth official David Somers, played the broker's men to perfection – and perennial Principal Boy Derek Riordan opted to play Dandini. He looked good, but did very little.

Seasonal goodwill extended to the post-match press conference, with the club spokesmen lining up to eulogise Steve Conroy: "The best referee in Scotland just now." – Mr John Hughes (Hibernian FC).

This unsolicited testimonial did not deter Hughes from suggesting, during the game: "Haw Conroy, you come ower here and let wee Somers oan". Mr Somers clearly had more fun on Saturday than he'd had with the other Edinburgh side the previous Saturday.

So, everyone enjoyed themselves – notwithstanding that a draw is never as satisfying as a win, something neither side was quite able to conjure up.

The players also had a ball. Kyle hurried upstairs to comment, before flying out to the players' Christmas party in Dublin, saying: "That was a case of two points dropped. We had the better chances, but we switched off for their equaliser and paid the price.

"But it's two games in a row unbeaten and we have to keep believing we can climb the table. Hibs are a very good team, they pass well but, for them, Rugby Park is one of these places they have to travel to and win if they are to pressurise the Old Firm.

"I genuinely hope Hibs and Dundee United can get between Celtic and Rangers this season, I just wish it was us rather than them."

Kyle also praised referee Conroy: "Sol Bamba is a big boy, bigger than me and he can jump; we were having an old-fashioned one v one and the referee kept talking to us, which helps; we were both getting a bit frustrated at times but the referee talked us through it".

Anthony Stokes, whose goal salvaged a point for the visitors, paid tribute to Colin Nish, whose quickly-taken free-kick set up his strike. "It was a great ball through, I didn't even have to take a touch before scoring; we didn't win, which is disappointing, but we showed the character to come from behind.

"We're not paying attention to this talk about splitting the Old Firm, we're taking it one at a time and we've now gone 11 games unbeaten, so we know if we can keep it going, we'll be there or thereabouts at the end of the season. It's all about us, we're disappointed, but this was still a good result".

Jim Jefferies was annoyed that none of his players prevented Nish from taking the free-kick from which Stokes equalised, but felt: "It was never a free-kick anyway."

Jefferies felt it was a great game and that his men had created the greater volume of chances. He had praise for Burchill, who fed off the scrap of Makalambay dropping Jamie Hamill's cross and knocked in the loose ball.

"Mark feeds off Kevin Kyle and the way he took that goal is what he's all about," said Jefferies.

The Kilmarnock manager also praised Hibs. "The surface was tricky, but you can see why they're doing so well – and I breathed a sigh of relief when that last-minute Riordan shot came back off the bar. He can kill you with one shot," added Jefferies.

Opposite number Hughes felt a draw was a fair outcome and was delighted with how his men recovered from a poor first-half of misplaced final passes and going a goal down early in the second.

"Big Yves fell over Chris Hogg at the goal, when he came off his line for the ball. I didn't see it as a foul on the keeper; but the way we hit back so quickly pleased me and I was particularly happy for big Nishie; he's been our best player in recent games, now he has grasped the concept of how we're trying to play. All he needs now is a goal.

"Our performance was okay, one or two of us can play better, but a point away from home isn't to be sniffed at."

MAN OF THE MATCH

Colin Nish (Hibernian)

Liam Miller had some older fans likening him to Bobby Johnstone in a fine midfield display, but, the player who really mattered and whose quick-thinking allowed their equaliser was Nish. He found space in a congested midfield, linked well and had home fans reappraising a man who wasn't always popular when at Rugby Park.