October 20 2024 Match report: Rangers (H)
Kilmarnock secured a fantastic 1-0 victory against Rangers thanks to a late Marley Watkins strike.
Derek McInnes made only one change from our 3-2 victory at Dundee – with David Watson dropping to the bench for the returning Stuart Findlay due to a shoulder injury.
The victory propels Kilmarnock up to joint-sixth in the William Hill Scottish Premiership – with the Ayrshire side unbeaten in six in all competitions.
Killie had a great chance after just 5 minutes when Jack Butland left his goal exposed – Marley Watkins couldn’t quite capitalise though as his shot was blocked inside the six-yard box.
Corrie Ndaba fizzed a fantastic cross into the box after 11 minutes, Matty Kennedy looked sure to turn it into the next but couldn’t quite meet it.
Vaclav Cerny had a decent shot from outside the box in the 18th minute, but Robby McCrorie did well to save the effort.
Robbie Deas had the ball in the net just before the half-hour mark, but the offside flag was raised to cut the celebrations short.
Kyle Vassell jumped highest as Danny Armstrong crossed into the box after 40 minutes – but the captain didn’t get the connection he wanted as it skimmed wide.
Cyriel Dessers fired a powerful shot towards goal from distance five minutes into the second half – McCrorie got down well to save it fantastically.
From the resulting corner Dessers looked sure to score from close distance, but he fired it into the ground and off the crossbar.
Nedim Bajrami then had a good chance from the edge of the box, it flew narrowly over the crossbar to the hosts’ delight.
Matty Kennedy had a great chance just after the hour mark, but he scuffed his shot inside the box and it blazed over the crossbar.
Deas had another great chance – this time in the 74th minute, but he couldn’t connect with the cross to fire into the net.
Watkins then sent the home crowd into euphoria as he latched on to a fantastic ball through from David Watson and fired past the oncoming Jack Butland.
Score: Kilmarnock 1-0 Rangers
Team: McCrorie, Mayo, Deas, Findlay, Ndaba, Armstrong (Mackay-Steven 72’), Donnelly (Watson 86’), Lyons, Kennedy (Burroughs 90’), Watkins (McKenzie 90’), Vassell (Anderson 72’)
