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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Christopher Jack

Derek McInnes makes 'harsh' verdict as Kilmarnock boss reflects on defeat to Rangers

Rangers' Alfredo Morelos (hidden) celebrates scoring their side's second goal of the game with team-mates during the cinch Premiership match at Ibrox

DEREK MCINNES reckons a two goal defeat was harsh on Kilmarnock as the visitors were left empty-handed at Ibrox.

Second half goals from Antonio Colak and Alfredo Morelos were enough to clinch a comfortable victory for Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side as they made it two from two in the Premiership.

McInnes set out his stall to frustrate and stifle Rangers and Killie were level at the break as the Light Blues found the going tough in the final third and clear chances hard to come by.

The rearguard action would prove in vain as Rangers clinched all three points, though, and McInnes was frustrated at the margin of the defeat as his side were left with nothing to show for their efforts.

McInnes said: “I thought the second goal was harsh on us, we changed shape to try to make the game a bit more open and have a bit more of a go without slitting our throats - at 1-0 you’re always in the game.

“Rangers have recruited a lot of speed this season and we needed to make sure that wasn’t as relevant and play from a deeper position to make sure we weren’t too stretched, but they have managed to punish us.

“No doubt Rangers deserved to win but I thought 2-0 and the second goal was a bit harsh on us.

“I have to praise my players, for their workrate, togetherness, discipline and real sense of trying to stick what we were asked to do.

"I’m disappointed we didn’t manage to do more in possession in the first half but our season won’t be defined by playing Rangers at Ibrox.

“Hopefully next time we come here we’ll see improvements in my team but I’m encouraged in the two performances we’ve had - two different performances.

"We felt we should have won last week with chances created and today was always going to be a big ask."

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