Killie FC lose 3-0 against Rangers

Nov 27 2009 by Lizzie Struthers, Kilmarnock Standard

AFTER having lost eight goals and failing to score in their last three games, Killie find themselves just a point ahead of Falkirk at the bottom of the SPL.

Once again, defensive frailties and a lack of goals cost them dearly, although it was always going to be a tough task to leave Ibrox with even a point.

But a slack start to this match by Killie meant that the game was effectively done and dusted with just over half an hour played.

It took the home side just seven minutes to open their account, and it just had to be ex-Killie player Kris Boyd who did the dirty on his old mates.

Kevin Thomson set up the chance with a slipped pass through the Killie defence, and Boyd ignored the half-hearted appeals for offside as he adeptly placed the ball beyond Mark Brown.

Ironically, Killie could have been a goal up themselves by that stage, with Allan McGregor making a good save from Kevin Kyle's header from a Garry Hay delivery.

Boyd had the ball in the net again soon after, but this time the offside flag was correctly waved.

To be fair to Killie, they did have a couple of close things, with McGregor denying Manuel Pascali with another good stop from his close-in volley, and then from a long-range effort from Kyle.

But normal service was soon resumed, with the Ibrox side doubling their lead on 24 minutes.

Steven Whittaker's long ball was moved on by Lee McCulloch, leaving Kenny Miller free to deliver a clinical finish from 12 yards.

Whittaker then got himself on to the score sheet after being set up by Miller, scoring at the second attempt after the ball had taken a deflection off Frazer Wright.

You wondered what was in prospect for the visitors' defence in the remaining 45 minutes but, to their credit, they managed to get through the second half without conceding another goal.

Not that Rangers didn't have their chances, with a header from substitute Kyle Lafferty scrambled clear, and then Thomson firing the ball against Brown's post.

Killie's misery was compounded on 66 minutes when Kyle had to leave the field with a face injury after McGregor's studs had caught the striker as they battled for the ball. He was replaced by Allan Russell.

The visiting fans were denied a consolation goal near the end when McGregor pulled off another good save, this time getting his finger tips to a well-hit free kick from Hay.

Another miserable return journey down the M77 for the travelling fans.

Rangers: McGregor, Whittaker, Weir, Wilson, Papac, Davis, McCulloch, Thomson, Naismith (Novo), Boyd (Lafferty), Miller (Fleck). Subs (not used) Alexander, Smith, Little.

Kilmarnock: Brown, Fowler, O'Leary, Wright, Hay, Hamill, Pascali (Owens), Bryson, Skelton (Taouil), Fernandez, Kyle (Russell). Subs (not used) Bell, Old, Flannigan, Kelly.