Report: Hibs 2 Kilmarnock 2

Goals from Rocky Bushiri and Elie Youan were not enough to take all three points in our first home league fixture of the 2025/26 season as Kilmarnock came from two goals behind to share the spoils. 

Rocky Bushiri and Elie Youan netted goals in the opening half an hour before a Liam Polworth goal and a Ben Brannan wonder strike earned Kilmarnock a point. 

Gray made three changes to his starting XI following Thursday night’s 2-0 triumph in Belgrade. 

Elie Youan and Junior Hoilett occupied the front line alongside Kieron Bowie, giving Martin Boyle a well-deserved rest after netting his 100th and 101st goals for Hibs in the last outing. Scottish International Grant Hanley made his debut at the back for the Hibees, replacing Jack Iredale.

Sunshine was beaming down on Leith with a fantastic support in attendance at Easter Road, enabling David Gray’s side to settle into the match and dominate the majority of the ball in the opening period. 

Dylan Levitt and Jamie McGrath looked sharp and were orchestrating the middle of the park with Josh Mulligan and Jordan Obita finding space down the flanks. 

The first opportunity fell in the seventh minute with McGrath finding Junior Hoilett on the edge of the box. Hoilett set himself and gave Kilmarnock keeper Max Stryjek the eyes, but his effort was dragged wide of the target. 

We continued to knock on Kilmarnock’s door and deservedly opened the scoring in the 20th minute from a set-piece. 

Jordan Obita did well down the left-hand side and was brought down on the byline. Jamie McGrath confidently stood over the resulting free-kick and sent in a wicked delivery to the six-yard-box that was met by the towering Rocky Bushiri. 

Gaining the lead encouraged the Hibees to attack with additional freedom and Junior Hoilett continued to find pockets of space in Kilmarnock's midfield, looking increasingly more dangerous each time he picked up the ball.  And that’s exactly where the second goal came from. 

The Canadian international found himself with time and space in the middle of the pitch and drove forward with intent.  Elie Youan made an excellent run to his right-hand side and Hoilett slipped it perfectly into the path of our No.7, who tucked it away with a first-time finish. 

An onslaught of chances followed with a looping Hoilett header testing Max Stryjek and a powerful Josh Mulligan effort across goal inching wide. 

Kilmarnock had struggled to create any opportunities from open play but managed to stun the Easter Road faithful and halve the deficit on the stroke of half-time. 

Marcus Dackers found himself down the left wing and with some fancy footwork, he worked his way into the Hibernian box. His cut-back fell to the feet of Liam Polworth and the midfielder managed to poke the ball past Jordan Smith. 

Stuart Kettlewell’s side came into the second half with their tails up following the goal and Marcus Dackers should have done better with a headed effort within the opening minute of the half. 

It was an early warning for Gray’s men and Killie found their equaliser in the 49th minute. 

An out-swinging corner was dealt with by the Hibs defence but the ball wound up high in the sky. The ball dropped at pace to 18-year-old Ben Brannan outside of the box who met it with a first-time volley that dipped into the top corner. The youngster looked like he couldn’t quite believe it - a feeling he shared with the majority of Easter Road. A brilliant solo effort. 

The visitors could've taken the lead moments later. Jordan Obita was dispossessed by Djenairo Daniels who ran through towards goal. Daniels had support from the flying David Watson, who he chose to ignore, and blasted his effort over the bar. 

We began to find our feet again following a shaky period, but lacked the creative spark that we showcased in the first 45. 

Josh Mulligan looked dangerous down the right-hand side and created an opportunity for Kieron Bowie in the 71st minute, however, Bowie’s stretched effort didn’t cause Stryjek any problems. 

We began to exert pressure in the closing stages as we searched for a winner but we couldn't create any clear-cut chances and the Kilmarnock defence held firm. VAR checked a possible penalty for handball in the final moments, but it came to nothing. 

A disappointing result for Hibs after an incredibly impressive first-half but it was a hard-fought point nevertheless coming off the back of a tough match in Belgrade. Focus now turns to Thursday evening, where we face Partizan Belgrade in the second leg of the UEFA Conference League third qualifying round.

Attendance: 17,525