Kilmarnock 1 – 0 Rangers

Rangers failed to shut the hole on leaders Celtic after Marley Watkins’ late strike gave Kilmarnock a shock 1-0 victory at Rugby Park.

Celtic and Aberdeen drew 2-2 at Parkhead on Saturday to supply the chasing Gers some encouragement within the title race, however on their return from the worldwide break, Philippe Clement’s facet failed miserably of their bid to take benefit.

Regardless of having loads of possession, there was a disjointed look to Rangers, whose followers held up protest banners within the second half, one among which known as for the “mismanagement” of the membership to cease after interim chairman John Gilligan hit again in midweek at claims over the dearth of management.

Rangers improved little after the break and Killie struck within the 87th minute when Watkins broke via to beat goalkeeper Jack Butland and earn his facet a primary dwelling win of the season, with Rangers dropping six factors behind Celtic and Aberdeen.

‘Rangers are usually not progressing’

“Rangers were toothless in attack,” stated Sky Sports activities’ Kris Boyd. “If results continue the way they are, there are big questions that are going to be asked. Rangers are not progressing as a football club.”

Sky Sports activities’ Chris Sutton added: “From Rangers’ perspective, all season the performances have not been there. Once they lose within the method that they did right this moment, you need to fear. They appear miles off it.

“But I do think there has to be patience because what is the alternative? Sack Clement? Get someone else in? The new manager will come in and say ‘give me £20m to spend on new players’.”

How Rangers slumped to defeat

Rangers must get well from one other blow to start out making ready for the Europa League sport in opposition to Romanian facet FCSB at Ibrox on Thursday night time, however even this early, their title hopes look forlorn and their supporters vented their frustration on the finish.

There have been fears that Storm Ashley might impact the midday kick-off in Ayrshire, however the solar was out, albeit the factitious floor was soaked. Kilmarnock began on high with Butland having to make a very good restoration save to disclaim Watkins after Jefte’s header again had dropped quick.

Former Rangers keeper Robby McCrorie made a very good save from Vaclav Cerny’s long-range shot, a uncommon try on aim within the first half earlier than Kilmarnock’s Robbie Deas headed in from Matthew Kennedy’s cross, solely to see the offside flag go up, the choice confirmed by VAR.

The guests began the second half with the sight of their followers holding up banners studying “the mismanagement of Rangers must stop and stop now”.

Rangers did enhance initially with Cyriel Dessers’ drive from 25 yards tipped spherical the suitable publish by McCrorie for a nook, from which the Gers striker hit the bar earlier than Robin Propper put the unfastened ball behind.

Leon Balogun and Nico Raskins changed Propper and Barron and Rangers started urgent with extra function, McCrorie making saves from Tavernier and John Souttar, though within the seventieth minute on a Killie break, Kennedy examined Butland with an honest drive.

There gave the impression to be cheers from the Rangers followers when Dessers was changed moments later by Hamza Igamane, whereas Neraysho Kasanwirjo and Kieran Dowell got here on for Cerny and Tom Lawrence, with Tavernier shifting to a extra superior function.

Killie had introduced on Gary Mackay-Steven and Bruce Anderson for Vassell and Danny Armstrong and the sport was within the stability till Watkins pounced, working on to a go from substitute Watson and brushing previous Souttar to ship a shot bouncing previous Butland.

Igamane missed the far publish with an effort within the third of six added minutes, however in the end Rangers missed the possibility to place stress on the league leaders.

‘We weren’t ok to win’

Rangers supervisor Philippe Clement chatting with Sky Sports activities:

“Kilmarnock work really hard. It’s a difficult place to play and you need to be even more precise on the surface than a grass pitch.

“All this stuff you understand earlier than you come right here. It is all on us. We weren’t ok to win this sport.

“It’s frustrating because I don’t think this is the phase the team has shown in the last couple of weeks. It’s a different kind of game also but we have to adapt better.”

‘We by no means settled for a draw’

Kilmarnock supervisor Derek McInnes chatting with Sky Sports activities:

“It’s an important three points. We’re equally pleased with the clean sheet which we’ve been searching for. It was far more a resilient performance than what we normally have and expect from ourselves.

“We wanted to respect Rangers in fulfilling their threats. Our press was terrific all through. We have been the much better staff within the first half.

“The second half was more even but we never settled for a 0-0.”

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