Match report: Kilmarnock 2-4 Rangers

Match report: Finn Maley

Summary: Kilmarnock fell to a 4-2 defeat at Rugby Park in the Scottish Premiership.

LIVE: Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes makes notable changes from last weekend’s late defeat in Aberdeen. Kyle Magennis and Danny Armstrong are back in the starting lineup, with Liam Polworth and Liam Donnelly dropped to the bench.

An unchanged Rangers side for Barry Ferguson in his first fixture as Rangers manager.

Kick-off: Nicolas Raskin gets us underway at Rugby Park, as Kilmarnock attack towards the away fans in the Chadwick stand.

The first chance of the match came from a Brad Lyon’s strike, which was tipped over the crossbar by Rangers Goalkeeper Jack Butland. Kilmarnock’s corner was soon cleared by the Rangers defence.

Quick play from the Rangers attack, found Hamza Igamane, his half volley strike was brilliantly pushed away by Kilmarnock goalkeeper Kieran O’Hara, out for a Rangers corner.

11’ GOAL KILMARNOCK 1-0 RANGERS

An inswinging cross from a Fraser Murray corner kick finds Joe Wright, uncontested at the back post, his header gave Killie the lead early on at Rugby Park.

14’ GOAL KILMARNOCK 2-0 RANGERS

Brad Lyons extended Kilmarnock’s lead shortly after at BBSP Rugby Park. A misplaced pass at the back from Nicolas Raskin fell into the path of Brad Lyons, who doubled the lead for Kilmarnock, beating Jack Butland at his far post.

Kyle Magennis and Ianis Hagi found themselves to be the first bookings of the match.

Kilmarnock piled on the pressure in the first 25 minutes with multiple chances but unfortunately were unable to again challenge the Rangers goalkeeper.

A dominant first half display from Kilmarnock, as we hit the half hour mark.

Barry Ferguson made a change on the thirty-minute mark. Clinton Nsiala made way for Ridvan Yilmaz.

Hamza Igamane managed his way through the Kilmarnock backline, his pass found Ianis Hagi, his attempt at goal was denied by Joe Wright near the Kilmarnock goalmouth.

Mohammed Diomande’s pass cut through the Kilmarnock backline, which found Vaclav Cerny, who slotted the ball by Kieran O’Hara to bring one back for the visitors.

Vaclav Cerny found Cyriel Dessers in the Kilmarnock box. The Rangers striker failed to convert for the visitors due to a strong hand from Kilmarnock’s Kieran O’Hara.

With only a couple of minutes until the break, Rangers began to apply pressure, but the Kilmarnock back-line held strong until the first break.

Half time and Kilmarnock lead Rangers at BBSP Rugby Park.

HALF TIME: KILMARNOCK 2 – 1 RANGERS

Second Half:

There were no changes for either side coming into the second half. Kilmarnock’s Bobby Wales gets us underway.

Vaclav Cerny got the first chance of the second half, his right-footed shot was guided away from the Kilmarnock goal.

Ianis Hagi’s low strike deflects out for a corner. Cyriel Dessers got on the end of James Tavernier’s inswinging cross as the visitors found the equaliser.

61 minutes brought the first of Kilmarnock’s changes. Danny Armstrong made way for Liam Donnelly. Kilmarnock 2-2 Rangers

Minutes after, Ridvan Yilmaz managed to thread through Cyriel Dessers, his strike got the better of Kieran O’Hara putting the away side ahead.

Cyriel Dessers was then shown a yellow card.

Kilmarnock followed with another change, as Kyle Magennis made way for Liam Polworth.

Fraser Murray continued his attacking threat in the later stages, the Kilmarnock winger latched onto a mistake from Robin Propper. The Rangers defender was soon shown a yellow card by the referee, due to a foul on Fraser Murray.

15 minutes left found Corey Ndaba’s shot from outside the box, being pushed away by Jack Butland at his near post as Kilmarnock continued to push for an equaliser.

Hamza Igamane’s low strike from distance was quickly denied by Kieran O’Hara, who pushed the ball wide for a Rangers corner.

A Double change for Rangers seen Nedim Bajrami replace Hamza Igamane, as Ianis Hagi made way for Tom Lawrence.

With ten minutes to go Derek McInnes made the last of his changes as Kilmarnock were chasing the game. Innes Cameron and David Watson replaced Marley Watkins and Robbie Deas.

An instant altercation between Kilmarnock’s David Watson and Rangers’ Tom Lawrence seen both players receive a yellow card.

With 5 minutes to go, Mohammed Diomande played through Nedim Bajrami who made it 4 goals for the visitors.

90’ The referee indicated an additional 6 minutes.

FULL TIME – Kilmarnock 2 – 4 Rangers