HIBERNIAN 0
KILMARNOCK1
JIM Jefferies has been the bookies' favourite to be the first managerial casualty of the SPL, but maybe after a first-day away win they will want to rethink their odds.
The Kilmarnock manager was grinning like a Cheshire cat as he left Easter Road, and rightly so. For all the talk of a Hibs revival and silky smooth football under new manager Tony Mowbray, it was the old campaigner who deservedly won the day.
Granted, Hibs fought gallantly in the first half but, in the second, the Ayrshire side showed what discipline and the ability to counterattack can bring. They won the match through a deflected Kris Boyd free kick 17 minutes from time which left Simon Brown flapping, and could have extended their lead near the end.
Garry O'Connor and Tom McManus had numerous chances to score for Hibs but Alan Combe proved that age has not withered him as he brought off a string of great saves. The Kilmarnock goalkeeper's last appearance at Easter Road was three years and eight months ago, when he was sent off when playing for Dundee United amid allegations contained in an SFA report that he had head-butted a linesman.
It was a turning point in his career, as he lost his place in the Tannadice team of that era to Paul Gallacher, who never let it go. Combe was banished to Bradford City but has come back to Scotland raring to go.
''Let's forget about that game between Hibs and United, as that's in the past,'' said Combe. ''I've come back to Scotland and people had written us off before a ball was even kicked. If we can get some consistency going, though, I don't see why we can't be aiming for third place.''
That is a mantra to be chanted by most clubs outwith the Old Firm and Kilmarnock have a manager who can make things happen. Jefferies' side were on the back foot in the first half but when Gary Locke went off just after half-time, and Eric Joly came on, things changed.
Grant Brebner, who was directing things in the middle of the park, lost his way and so did Hibs. For all the talk of the potential new signings, David Murphy, the full back looked desperately unfit and his lack of pace was exploited mercilessly by, among others, Danny Invincibile, while Dean Shiels, the former Arsenal starlet, played just 12 minutes.
''I told the players that Hibs would come at us for the first 20 minutes or so and we had to deal with that,'' said Jefferies. ''We did that, with Alan helping us with some great saves, and I thought we were even denied a stonewall penalty when Colin Murdock handled in the box. I think we deserved to win, and it's even better as all the pundits have already written us off this season. What a treat to prove them wrong with a win.''
Mowbray claimed his side were unlucky but all the old faults were evident. McManus missed too many chances, O'Connor flattered to deceive, Murdock's lack of pace was obvious and firebrand Scott Brown moaned a lot and was lucky not to be booked.
It's too early to say how Hibs' season will pan out but certainly Jefferies will be laughing at the bookies. Few would begrudge him that.
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