Rangers came back from the dead for the second successive Saturday to
defeat Kilmarnock 4-2 at Rugby Park this afternoon in a remarkable game
that enthralled 14,679 spectators.
Kilmarnock Manager and former Ranger Bobby Williamson had promised that his
side would have a go at Rangers and from the first whistle the home side
were true to their boss's word, driving at the Rangers defence with power
and pace, winning a clear penalty decision in the third minute when the
reborn Andy McLaren's direct run was halted illegally by Bert Konterman.
McLaren himself converted the spot-kick and the home side (minus ex-Ranger
Ian Durrant, sidelined with a hamstring injury) were causing major problems
for a Rangers defence which has never looked secure so far this campaign.
Christophe Cocard's shot from an Andy McLaren corner flashed just wide in
six minutes before the former Rangers' Boys Club player - on whom Bobby
Williamson has gambled so much in signing him from Reading, given the
player's much publicised personal problems - who added Goal No. 2 in twelve
minutes when he showed superb control to seize on a Jerome Vareille pass to
send a twelve-yard drive under Stefan Klos.
Rangers - playing in unfamiliar red jerseys - were a defensive shambles at
this juncture with their second successive away League defeat looming large
on the horizon after an unbeaten period stretching more than a year,
although Neil McCann almost produced an immediate reply when he shot into
the side netting from a Bert Konterman pass, yet the Champions almost lost
a third when Martin Baker shot across goal from an Alan Mahood header.
The question was whether Kilmarnock could keep up this pace for ninety
minutes, but equally Rangers needed a break if they were to get back into
the game - and it duly arrived in 33 minutes when Kevin McGowne received
his second yellow card of the afternoon - both cautions for fouls on Rod
Wallace, the second of which as the Rangers striker broke clean through on
goal. Referee Tom Brown of Edinburgh seemed to hesitate before making his
decision, but in truth it could just as easily have been a straight red
given that Wallace was straight through.
The deficit was reduced within three minutes when Gary Holt clearly fouled
Neil McCann, Billy Dodds converting the resulting penalty and Rangers went
all out for the equaliser with Giovanni van Bronckhorst sending a 22-yard
shot just over in 40 minutes.
Dick Advocaat introduced Andrei Kanchelskis for Fernando Ricksen at the
start of the second-half, clearly going for width to stretch the Kilmarnock
defence and the Light Blues laid siege to the home goal, a Lorenzo Amoruso
effort in 54 minutes being disallowed for pushing before Barry Ferguson's
low drive from 25 yards was held by Marshall with three Rangers forwards
ready to pounce on any slip-up. An Amoruso header from a Kanchelskis cross
flashed just over in 65 minutes before Advocaat gambled on a double
substitution, throwing on both Kenny Miller and Tugay.
The irrepressible Ally McCoist put in an appearance for Kilmarnock in 67
minutes and almost immediately turned past both Amoruso and Konterman
before firing wide from 25 yards - presumably the legs would not allow him
a run in on goal.
The relentless pressure continued with Kenny Miller's shot in 73 minutes
being blocked by Gary Holt yet as the minutes ticked away Kilmarnock began
to harbour hopes that they could weather the storm - but the equaliser
finally arrived in 75 minutes when Billy Dodds stooped low to head home a
Van Bronckhorst corner and almost inevitably Rangers snatched the lead 60
seconds later when a scintillating run by Barry Ferguson saw his shot
blocked, Kenny Miller slotting the rebound home.
A remarkable win was sealed in 84 minutes when Tugay showed his class in
coolly netting from a superb McCann chip.
Rangers Manager Dick Advocaat described the win as an eventful afternoon,
whilst scathing in his analysis of the first-half. "We gave goals away you
don't see in amateur football, but I know what's going wrong."
Kilmarnock Manager Bobby Williamson expressed his disappointment after such
a good start, and was highly critical of the Referee's performance.
At the end of the day Rangers have won their first two League games, and it
is always said that the hallmark of true champions is to win when playing
badly - but a vast improvement is required if Rangers are to fulfil the
hopes of their legions of fans in the season ahead.
