THIS week our team of sports writers will be providing their assessment of the season so far for all 12 Ladbrokes Premiership clubs.
Keep an eye on the Herald and Evening Times websites for our mid-season reviews throughout the week.
The season so far
It was an ominous start to the campaign at Rugby Park as Lee McCulloch’s side failed to win any of their first eight games, a run that saw the 39-year-old dismissed and replaced by Steve Clarke.
The arrival of the former Reading and West Bromwich Albion boss has been one of the revelations of the season though, as he has transformed an underperforming side into an impressive unit that arrived at the winter break in the top six and on a six-match unbeaten run that included a win over Rangers.
Best player
A number of players have impressed in a blue and white jersey this term, but Clarke’s charges wouldn’t be where they are without the goals of Kris Boyd.
Age is seemingly no obstacle for the 34-year-old marksman, who has netted nine times in the league this season. Only Rangers’ Alfredo Morelos has scored more with 10, but with six strikes in Boyd's last five games the former Rangers and Scotland front man is on a run of form that could yet see him top the charts by the end of the season.
Star signing
Kirk Broadfoot, Stephen O’Donnell and Gordon Greer have all featured regularly in a new-look defence, but Youssouf Mulumbu could prove to be a real coup for the club after joining in November.
The former West Brom star is getting into his stride, playing a full 90 minutes in Killie’s last four games and supplying an assist against Rangers, and his addition promises to be an inspired move by Clarke as the second half of the season approaches.
Biggest disappointment
The club showed their faith in McCulloch by appointing him on a permanent basis over the summer after he led Killie to eighth place last season in an interim role.
It was the former Rangers and Scotland star’s first full season in management and some eye-catching summer recruitment suggested the future was bright, but he failed to win any of his first eight league games and was eventually sacked.
What will the second half of the season bring?
The sky appears to be the limit for Killie under Clarke and staying in the sixth spot they currently occupy will undoubtedly be the seasonal objective.
A cup run isn’t out of the question either, with a fourth round tie at home to struggling Ross County the first obstacle in their way on 20 January. So far under Clarke, the Rugby Park side have shown they are a match for anyone in Scotland on their day.
More report cards
- Aberdeen mid-season report card: Ryan Christie shining in mixed campaign for the Dons
- Celtic mid-season report card: Domestic dominance continues but room for improvement in Europe
- Dundee mid-season report card: Neil McCann's side in high spirits after upturn in form
- Hamilton Accies mid-season report card: Martin Canning charting course to survival despite home woes
- Hearts mid-season report card: Christophe Berra plays starring role in eventful season for Jambos
- Hibernian mid-season report card: Inconsistency the issue for Neil Lennon's entertainers
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