Rangers took out their Hampden frustrations as Michael Beale’s side responded to their Viaplay Cup final loss by cuffing Kilmarnock.
Goals from Connor Goldson and Fashion Sakala before a James Tavernier penalty on the stroke of half-time was rich reward after a dominant first half showing. But Gers failed to maintain those standards and allowed Killie to pull one back with Jeriel Dorsett’s first goal for the club. After a tough week, an early goal was just what Rangers needed to settle any anxiety after the disappointment suffered in the loss to Celtic at the national stadium.
And they were glad to get one just six minutes in as a move straight off the training grounds bore fruit. Borna Barisic’s short corner to Antonio Colak was teed up for Cantwell to shoot. Alan Power got his body in the way as the former Norwich playmaker had a couple of goes at it.
Sam Walker then parried a Colak effort but unfortunately for Killie there was no-one on hand to stop Goldson bundling over the opener. A second should have come on the quarter-hour mark as a great ball from Ben Davies put Sakala in but the Zambian had the blinkers on as he tried to beat Walker from a difficult angle, drawing an angry rebuke from strike partner Colak.
It was the fans dishing out the groans moments later as the African ace wasted an even more glaring chance. It was laid on a plate for him as Kent worked a smart one-two with Colak before throwing over a teasing cross that Sakala somehow stuck wide as he slid in. But he won over his critics 25 minutes in as got his goal at the third attempt.
Colak had been there brightest man in blue during the opening half and it was smart awareness from the Croat Croat frontman to tee the ball up for his strike parter after a Cantwell pass bounced off Danny Armstrong, with Sakala finally slotting home to double the Light Blues’ lead.
And it was three on the stroke of half-time as VAR spotted a Dorsett handball in the box, with Tavernier doing the rest from the spot. Allan McGregor could have watched the first half from a seat in the Copland Road given he had so little to do but he was perhaps a little bit of complacency as he spilled what should have been an easy gather from Armstrong’s strike.
There was momentary concern he might have conceded a penalty as he bundled over Jordan Jones while trying to fetch the ball but neither Willie Collum nor VAR was convinced. McGregor wasn't the only one in the home ranks that was guilty of slackness in the early stages of the second period and Killie really should have capitalised as Ash Taylor fired into the side netting at the back post.
That drop off eventually did cost Beale’s team a goal on the hour mark as McGregor missed a Power corner, with Dorsett turning home Taylor’s knockdown. Ryan Jack thought he’d restored the hosts’ three-goal lead late on but an offside flag halted the celebrations. Here are three talking points from the Rangers victory.
Fans vent their fury
A fortnight on from their standards snipe at Livingston, the Union Bears again had the bedsheets out as they took aim at the Ibrox board. “After 55 titles you took you eye off the ball - time for a change,” said the banner that emerged from their slot in the Broomloan Road stand.
Fury has been building amongst the Ibrox faithful since last week’s limp loss to Celtic in the Viaplay Cup Final. Boss Michael Beale and his players have taken the brunt of the stick since the Hampden result but now it was the turn for the Ibrox head-honchos.
There were some displays calling for chief exec Stewart Robinson and sporting director Ross Wilson’s removal too and it’s clear dissatisfaction is growing with every missed trophy chance. Gers only have one realistic shot at silverware this term but unless the Scottish Cup is delivered back to Govan it’s unlikely this will be the last we see of the fan protests.
Hot and cold Gers
Beale finally gave the fans what they wanted as he named a midfield consisting of the three men he benched at Hampden. The return of Nico Raskin, Todd Cantwell and Ryan Jack produced exactly the response Beale would have been hoping for as the Light Blues came out flying with an energy and tempo they simply couldn’t muster against the Hoops.
Antonio Colak was starting up front and looked like a man on a mission to prove he can do the job Alfredo Morelos once provided this Gers team. The complaint ever since his summer switch is that his effectiveness is limited to inside the 18-yard box but this time he did the best of his work in the build-up, moving constantly to provide the midfield a passing option.
Strike partner Fashion Sakala got a goal but it’s easy to see why the Zambian frustrates the life out of the Ibrox faithful. From one minute to the next, you never know what you’re going to get from him.
Beale could say something similar about his own team. After a bright first half it was calamity stuff after the break with a string of unforced errors eventually allowing Dorsett to score for the visitors. There was still time at the end for John Souttar to make his return after eight months out as he replaced Ben Davies in stoppage time.
Killie concern
Derek McInnes’ team have taken just two points from 15 Premiership away days this season and it’s easy to see why based on their opening 45 minutes at Ibrox. Toothless in attack and wide open at the back, it’s not a recipe for success.
But the Rugby Park boss can take encouragement from the way they went after Beale’s team after the break. Yes Gers played into Killie’s hands with their slack approach but credit to Killie for upping the ante, with half-time replacement Jordan Jones providing a spark.
With vital trips to Pittodrie and Paisley to come before the split, McInnes will have to see more of the same if the Ayrshire outfit are not to rely on their home form to bail them out of relegation trouble.
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