If this result and performance by Paul Hartley’s new-look Dundee is anything to go by, then the club’s fans are definitely in for a season to savour.
The first-half was utterly dominated by Dundee who created a barrowload of chances.
The home side had no answer to the Dark Blues’ front three of Greg Stewart, Kane Hemmings and Rory Loy whose pace and movement completely bamboozled the Killie defence, while Dundee skipper Kevin Thomson and Gary Harkins bossed the midfield.
Hemmings in particular had several opportunities to open the scoring but it was last season’s goal hero Stewart who finally gave Dundee the lead in the 34th minute.
The striker picked up a pass from Paul McGinn and then cut in from the right before unleashing a sublime left-footed curling effort from 20 yards past the helpless home keeper Jamie MacDonald.
Then in stoppage time, the Dark Blues netted the second goal that their overall play certainly deserved when Loy was first to a cross from the left from Kevin Holt with the striker firing high past MacDonald from close range.
Loy then doubled his tally just two minutes after the restart. Harkins burst into the Killie box but his chance looked to have been lost. However, the midfielder brilliantly scooped the ball high towards goal with Loy on hand to gleefully nod home.
Loy was then the provider in the 78th minute when he played in Stewart who took a touch before lashing the ball past the shell-shocked Killie keeper from 12 yards.
For full report, reaction and analysis, see Monday’s Courier.