When he took the reins at the outset of the current campaign, Csaba Lazslo, the Heart of Midlothian manager, exuded a charisma not often seen in these parts, his animated gesturing from the sidelines fast became a hallmark. However, as the Gorgie club slip further into the mire with each passing week, it must be said the Romanian-born coach’s colourful displays are drifting from the realms of the eccentric to the downright desperate.

Throughout a frustrating 90 minutes on Saturday, during which Kilmarnock drew first blood with Mehdi Taouil’s free kick, Lazslo was as effervescent as ever, bounding around his technical area barking orders in the usual fashion, though his players appeared reluctant to respond. If his nerves were settled by Laryea Kingston’s equaliser approaching half-time, what was to follow in the second period left him thoroughly dejected.

As torrential rain and gale-force winds thrashed Tynecastle, any hopes of flowing playing were dashed. The ball skidded and skimmed chaotically over the slick surface and it seemed neither side had the wherewithal to tame it – until, nine minutes from time, Craig Bryson sealed maximum points for the Ayrshire club by scoring with the winning goal.

“We seem to be back in the old days, but I’m not going to criticise my players,” a disconsolate Laszlo said. “In my first four games in charge, they showed me the level at which I wanted them to play. It is frustrating, however, to have come to this and to lose at home.”

For Kilmarnock’s part, it was a job well done and Manuel Pascali, fast becoming the cult hero of the Rugby Park faithful and named captain on Saturday, was delighted by the outcome. “It was a surprise for me to be named captain and I must thank the gaffer for the privilege,” he said. “This is a fantastic victory for us and a massive three points. It was very important for us and Hearts are a good team – they haven’t lost at home this season. Some of the players lost a little faith after the performance against Inverness Caledonian Thistle last week, but this was the real Kilmarnock.”

Heart of Midlothian (4-4-2): M Kello 6 – L Wallace 6, C Berra 6, M Zaliukas 6, J Thomson 6 – S Mikoliunas 7 (sub: J Makela, 89min), M Stewart 5, C Karipidis 6, L Kingston 7 – J Mole 5 (sub: A Ksanivicius, 54 6), M Tullberg 4 (sub: C Nade, 62 6). Substitutes not used: J Balogh, R Palazuelos, B Aguiar, M Rapnik. Booked: Mole.

Kilmarnock (4-4-2): A Combe 6 – J Hammill 7, F Wright 7, S Ford 7, D Lilley 7 – M Taouil 8 (sub: G Skelton, 85 6), C Bryson 7, M Pascali 7, D Invincible 7 – C Sammon 6 (sub: D Simmonds, 69 6), D Fernandez 7. Substitutes not used: D Rascle, G Murray, W Gibson, I Flannigan, D Cox. Booked: Taouil, Ford, Fernandez, Pascali, Wright, Lilley.