Five-star Hearts thump Kilmarnock

Ryan Stevenson hit a first-half hat-trick as Hearts continued their strong end to the Scottish Premiership season by thumping Kilmarnock 5-0 at Tynecastle.

Stevenson fired a treble in the opening 45 minutes before later strikes from Billy King and Callum Paterson saw the already-relegated Edinburgh side claim their fourth win in their last five outings.

The 29-year-old bagged his first of the afternoon on 11 minutes by sending a free kick beyond the reach of Killie goalkeeper Craig Samson, before securing his brace soon after by converting a neat Sam Nicholson pass.

Stevenson completed the treble on the stroke of half time, latching on to King's lay-off to fire past Samson and earn his side a seemingly unassailable lead at the interval.

The former Ipswich Town ace turned provider 10 minutes into the second half to set up King to get on the scoresheet, while Paterson reached double figures for the campaign by adding a fifth three minutes later to cap a comfortable win for Gary Locke's troops.