There are no such things as easy games in the SPL as Walter is always quick to tell us, and so it proved tonight as Kilmarnock were a tough obstacle to pass.
Rangers were still without Bougherra and fielded the same team that started the weekend game but the team looked anything but settled in the early stages as they struggled to put any decent plays together and were limited to shots from distance from McCulloch and Boyd.
In fact, the Gers were lucky to be on level terms as McGregor had to be on his toes to pull off a couple of very decent stops.
Towards the end of the half Rangers looked to threaten a bit more and nearly hit Killie on the break as Miller just failed to find Boyd in the box to grab his 100th Goal for the Bears.
Rangers had to up the tempo in the second half if they wanted anything from this game, and up it they did. From the off, Rangers looked more dangerous and it didn’t take long before the added pressure paid off. Papac swung the ball in from the left and, probably, the highest scoring defender in world football was on hand once more to notch another goal.
Once the lead was in place Rangers never looked in danger as they controlled the tempo and flow of the game. The second and decisive goal was just around the corner too and this time it Miller who fired home from close range. Game over and 13 point lead regained at the top of the SPL. Walter was in the comfort of being able to switch things around and he pulled off McCulloch and Miller in quick succession giving Edu and Novo some more game time.
The league won’t be too long in being tied up at this rate, despite all the tough games that lie ahead.
RM’s verdict
McGregor – 8 Kept Rangers in the game early doors with some fine saves. A bit of a near miss in the second as he fluffed a kick but recovered well.
Whittaker – 8 A constant menace down the right again and his goal was crucial in breaking down the Killie back line.
Weir – 6 Not the most confident or composed night at the back for the SPL’s player of the month but worked through an awkward start to marshal another clean sheet.
Wilson – 6 Like Weir was unusually troubled at the back as Killie defended from the front and harassed the young centre back.
Papac – 7 Pushed forward at every opportunity and fired over the cross for his fellow full back to tuck away.
Davis – 6 Not his usual creative self and miss placed too many passes tonight. He’s entitled to an off game after his recent run of form.
McCulloch – 6 Worked hard as always and fired in a couple of early long shots. Subbed in the second half for Edu.
Thomson – 6 For the second game in a row he has started very brightly then faded as the game went on. It’s encouraging to see him get a good run in the team though.
Beasley – 5 Another night bereft of the flair and pace we were looking for. Certainly is working a lot harder going the other way but it’s his attacking sense that we look for.
Boyd– 5 Is he trying too hard to be the provider rather than the finisher that we know he is. A couple of times tonight he looked odds on to score but instead tried to fire in a cross.
Miller – 6 Another night of hard work and it paid off tonight with a goal. Not the easiest of games to run the front line but put in 100% and was given a rest for Novo midway through the second half.
Substitutes
Edu – 4 It’s not easy to get too involved in the game when you come on so late but still, it’s more game time.
Novo – 4 A run to keep his eye in if nothing else.
Rangers: McGregor, Weir, Papac, Whittaker, Wilson, McCulloch (Edu 68), Davis, Thomson, Beasley, Boyd, Miller (Novo 76).
Subs: Alexander, Broadfoot, Edu, Novo, Naismith, Fleck, Little.
Booked: Papac
Goals: Whittaker 55, Miller 61
Kilmarnock: Bell, Clancy, Fowler, Wright, Pascali, Taouil, Flannigan (Invincible 65), Hamill, Severin (Kelly 86), Russell (Burchill 69), Maguire.
Subs: Robinson, Hay, Kiernan, Invincibile, Kelly, Fernandez, Burchill.
Booked: Fowler, Wright, Maguire
Att: 8,906
Ref: Muir
