Eastwood, who only arrived on loan from Sheffield United on Thursday, was then withdrawn at the break and replaced by fellow recent arrival Danny Rogers.

And while Rogers claimed a personal shut-out, Killie were unable to rescue a point in the second period.

Hibs boss Jack Ross handed debuts to summer signings Drey Wright, Alex Gogic and £250,000 marksman Kevin Nisbet.

However, the inclusion of 18-year-old Josh Doig was the major shock in his starting line-up, with the teenager rewarded for a string of fine displays during pre-season.

Aaron Tshibola, meanwhile, was the only other summer signing in the Killie starting line-up, along with Eastwood.

Both sides took a knee prior to kick-off in support of the Black Lives Matter movement – before the action started against a backdrop of piped-in crowd noise.

And Hibs, seeking their fifth successive opening day league triumph, took just five minutes to claim the lead.

Nisbet slipped a through ball to Boyle and the speedy striker rounded the on-rushing Eastwood, who was never going to win that foot race, before coolly slotting home.

The hosts were in control and deservedly doubled their lead when Boyle collected a Scott Allan pass before haring into the box and finding the bottom corner with a clinical low drive.

Killie were handed a lifeline in the most spectacular fashion when Burke unleashed a blockbuster free-kick from 30 yards which whistled past Ofir Marciano to halve the arrears.

Rogers replaced Eastwood at the break – but it was Marciano at the other end who caught the eye.

The Israel international pulled off a magnificent low save to keep Hibs' lead intact after the break, reacting superbly when Paul Hanlon directed a Greg Kiltie cross towards the corner of his own net.

The Ayrshire outfit threw bodies forward in the closing stages in search of parity but a Danny Whitehall header which cleared the crossbar was as close as they came.