So the Premiership weekend begins with Kilmarnock failing to take their chance to narrow the gap with leaders Celtic as Hearts close in on the top four.

Join us tomorrow, when it is the turn of Rangers and Aberdeen to have the opportunity to put pressure on Brendan Rodgers' side, who play on Sunday.

Saturday's Scottish Premiership fixtures (15:00 GMT)

Hamilton Academical v Dundee

Hibernian v Aberdeen

Motherwell v Livingston

Rangers v St Mirren

Hearts manager Craig Levein was muted in his praise of Sean Clare after the summer signing from Sheffield Wednesday opened the scoring.

He explains that the 22-year-old English midfielder was a "late starter" to professional football and has been hampered by injury.

"I have been trying to stick with him as I know there is a player there," Levein tells BBC Sportsound.

"Sean has gradually been improving and it was a real bit of quality in the finish."

Image source, SNS

Kilmarnock manager Steve Clarke tells BBC Sportsound that referee Steven McLean was "not in control of the game".

"Fair play to Hearts, they were clever, but there were so many fouls in the game and, if you bring out the yellow cards at the start rather than the end, it allows your creative players to play."

Clarke thinks his side "will play better and lose".

"Disappointing result, but the performance was really good," he says.

"Hearts came here to make it difficult for us and we fell asleep for the first goal.

"It is difficult when you have big three lumps defending their goal."

Image source, SNS

That's Hearts' fifth win in six games and suddenly they are back in contention in the top half of the table.

Kilmarnock miss out on a record sixth successive home win in the Premiership.

It is their first defeat at Rugby Park after six wins in a row and ends a run of seven games without a loss.

And, as you can see, the stats show how important talisman Steven Naismith is to Hearts' cause.

Image source, BBC Sport

Hearts manager Craig Levein is delighted with further evidence that "a pretty horrid spell" his side had before Christmas is long forgotten.

"It was a typically tough match against Kilmarnock, but I am really thrilled as it's not an easy place to get anything," he tells BBC Sportsound.

"That's two wins we have down here this season at a place where so many find it difficult."

Levein hands the credit for the training-ground free-kick that led to the second goal to assistant Austin MacPhee.

"The imagination was excellent," he says. The pass and finish were top drawer."

Image source, SNS

Who was your man of the match? Who left you cold at freezing Rugby Park? You've still got time to vote below...

Billy Dodds
Former Scotland striker on Sportsound

Image source, SNS

Hearts hold on for an important victory that moves Craig Levein's side in touch with the top four in the Premiership.

While they move to within a point of Aberdeen, Kilmarnock miss a chance to move into second ahead of Rangers and to within three points of leaders Celtic.

Three goals within seven minutes of the end of the first half brought the game to life.

Fine finishes from Sean Clare and Steven Naismith put the visitors ahead.

Jordan Jones' penalty on the stroke of half-time gave Kilmarnock hope, but Hearts contained the threat of a fightback after the break for a deserved win.

Mikael Ndjoli races in on Colin Doyle to meet a Jordan Jones, but his only reward for his late challenge on the goalkeeper is a booking.

Postpublished at 90+1

90+1

Kilmarnock 1-2 Heart of Midlothian

Kirk Broadfoot is only just on and the defender is sent to the touchline to receive treatment with a bloody cut under his eye after a clash with John Souttar.

Five minutes of stoppage time for Killie to save a point...

That booking was Aaron Tshibola's last contribution.

The midfielder heads for the bench as manager Steve Clarke takes the unusual step of sending on veteran defender Kirk Broadfoot as an auxiliary striker.

Aaron Tshibola is next in the ref's book for a foul tinged with frustration on Steven Naismith.

Hearts scorer Sean Clare goes into the book for an alleged elbow on Stephen O'Donnell.

A bit harsh on the midfielder.

Clevid Dikamona comes on for Michael Smith in the Hearts defence as Craig Levein looks to stiffen his side's resolve further.

Scott McDonald
Former Celtic striker on BBC Sportsound

Hearts have rarely been seen as an attacking force this half, but the ball is bobbling about the Killie penalty box as Steven Naismith sends a low ball towards the six-yard box.

Demetri Mitchell tries an overhead kick, but the on-loan Manchester United wing-back's effort is off target.

Who has done a power of good for Killie? Who has shown most heart for the visitors?

Vote following the link below...

Liam Millar is handed a chance to make a quick-fire impression.

But, although the on-loan Liverpool striker, does well to reach a cross between two Hearts markers, he heads well over from six yards.

A disappointing finish.