Heart of Midlothian extended their lead over Celtic to five points at the top of the Scottish Premiership with a dominant, three-goal win over Kilmarnock as head coach Derek McInnes made a triumphant return to Rugby Park.

Centre-half Craig Halkett's third goal in three games gave the Edinburgh side the first-half lead and Claudio Braga added a quickfire double after the break to secure a fifth consecutive victory.

It meant McInnes, who made the switch to Tynecastle this summer, leaves the Ayrshire venue again having extended his unbeaten run there as a visiting manager to 17 games and having cemented themselves as the reigning champions' main title challengers.

Nottingham Forest head coach Ange Postecoglou was sacked just 17 minutes after the side's 3-0 defeat by Chelsea at the City Ground on Saturday.

The Australian's dismissal - 39 days after his appointment on 9 September - means Postecoglou's stint at Forest is the shortest permanent managerial reign in Premier League history.

Sources have told BBC Sport that Forest have made contact with ex-Everton boss Sean Dyche with a view to replacing Postecoglou, while former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is another possible candidate.

Postecoglou failed to win any of his eight matches in charge of Forest, with two draws and six defeats across all competitions.

Forest collected just one point from Postecoglou's five Premier League matches in charge, leaving the side one point above the relegation zone in 17th on his departure and in the bottom three following the day's later games.

"Nottingham Forest Football Club can confirm that after a series of disappointing results and performances, Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties as head coach with immediate effect," a Forest statement read.

"The club will make no further comment at this time."

Postecoglou's staff, including Nick Montgomery, Mile Jedinak and Sergio Raimundo are also expected to leave.

Comu returns

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