Paatelainen singled out praise for Liam Kelly and Ben Gordon

Kilmarnock manager Mixu Paatelainen praised his side's 2-1 win against Hibernian amid snowy conditions at Rugby Park.

Paatelainen said: "I felt the slippy conditions with the ball skidding across the surface helped us pass the ball around.

"We scored two excellent goals, passing moves with plenty of positive runs.

"It was good composure from wide areas on the pitch to find the player and good composed finishes."

Liam Kelly swept home two accurate low crosses from on-loan Chelsea left-back Ben Gordon at either end of the first half as Killie continued their impressive form.

We started really well, passed the ball well. Liam Kelly has just signed a new contract and maybe that was a thank-you from him Kilmarnock manager Mixu Paatelainen

The Ayrshire side have now won five of their last seven SPL matches and leapfrogged Motherwell into fifth place.

"I was pleased with the way we played in the first half," said Paatelainen.

"We started really well, passed the ball well. Liam Kelly has just signed a new contract and maybe that was a thank-you from him.

Hibernian came back into the game in the 55th minute when Derek Riordan lashed a swerving shot into the top corner from almost 25 yards.

But Edwin de Graaf squandered a good chance in the 78th minute, moments before Liam Miller was sent off following a challenge on the edge of the Hibs penalty area.

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