RANGERS made it eight games unbeaten under Michael Beale as they came from behind to see off Kilmarnock and keep themselves in the Premiership title race.
The visitors found themselves behind after just six minutes as Chris Stokes rose well in the area and evaded a static defence to head home. A late effort from Joe Wright proved in vain.
Alfredo Morelos brought Rangers level after converting a Fashion Sakala cross and Ryan Kent netted just five minutes after the break. The second of the night from Morelos proved decisive as a header from close range secured all three points.
ANOTHER ONE DOWN FOR RANGERS
Eight games done and seven won for Beale. His return to Ibrox may not have been perfect in terms of performances but he couldn’t have asked for much more when it comes to assessing the results.
The deficit to Celtic remains at nine points. The Old Firm draw aside, there is nothing that Beale could have done about that and Rangers continue to hold up their end of the bargain.
In all likelihood, it will count for nothing in the Premiership. But it is important for Rangers to keep the momentum ticking over and that ambition was achieved on a night that could have been difficult for the visitors.
Attentions will return to cup action on Saturday and that is another must-win for Beale. He has stressed the importance of delivering silverware this term and Scottish Cup progression is non-negotiable at another venue that has proven to be an unhappy hunting ground in recent times.
If that ambition can be achieved, it would be another significant step in the right direction for Rangers. Beale knows where his side are and where they need to be, and all he can do is keep them ticking over while that process of improvement continues.
BEALE’S SIDE CAUGHT COLD AGAIN
The issue of falling behind and having to launch a recovery mission is not a new one for Rangers. It is one that Beale must find a solution to sooner rather than later.
This was the Englishman’s eighth fixture in charge since replacing Giovanni van Bronckhorst last month. And he has seen his side concede the first goal in half of those outings now as the early effort from Stokes followed those that gave Hibernian, Celtic and Aberdeen the upper hand against Rangers.
Killie were well worthy of their advantage and they could have added to it as Jon McLaughlin made a low save to deny Danny Armstrong. If the hosts had gone two goals clear, there would have been no way back for Beale’s side and they would have shot themselves in the foot.
The first quarter of an hour or so were woeful from Rangers. There was barely a pass completed and Killie were quicker to every ball as they started brightly and looked more determined than a side that needed to win to keep their faint Premiership hopes alive.
The fine move and clinical finish from Morelos did kick-start Rangers, who had seen a Connor Goldson header saved, and there was a bit more life about them thereafter as they moved through the gears and secured a deserved win. It really shouldn’t have taken that, though, and Rangers cannot keep giving opposition something to hold onto and leaving themselves up against it this term.
KEEPER CALLS ARE HUGE DECISIONS FROM BEALE
The best goalie in Scotland, according to Beale, was sitting on the bench at Rugby Park. The praise towards Allan McGregor was merited in the aftermath of the win over Aberdeen but it wasn’t enough to secure his position against Kilmarnock.
Rangers will need to sign a keeper during the summer. Depending on how Beale views McLaughlin and Robby McCrorie, he may need to find three ahead of his first full term in charge.
Beale has done his bit to keep McLaughlin’s spirits up in recent weeks and he has spoken effusively about his overall record in the aftermath of the wins at Ross County and Dundee United. He has also promised McCrorie that he will get his turn between the sticks when he recovers from injury.
The thinking behind starting McLaughlin at Tannadice was that United would pose a significant aerial threat and Rangers would have to defend a series of set-pieces.
The theory could be applied here but the same is true of almost every away fixture in the league. So, will that see McLaughlin play more often that not on the road?
Given the consequences of any dropped points in the title race, this wasn’t an easy night for McLaughlin to come back into the team. To his credit, he didn’t let his manager down again and a couple of smart saves – after looking susceptible for the first goal – were crucial to the cause.
BENCH REINFORCES THE NEED FOR SIGNINGS
Beale made three changes from the side that were victorious at Hampden at the weekend as, alongside McLaughlin replacing McGregor, Glen Kamara and Scott Arfield were handed starts. Ryan Jack and Malik Tillman were the ones to drop out on the back of their semi-final exertions and both will surely come back into the starting line-up for the Scottish Cup trip to McDiarmid Park.
There was a need to freshen it up. Unfortunately for Beale, his options are limited right now and his hands remain tied while he waits for the deals that he is pushing for to be completed this month.
The bench contained Academy kids Charlie McCann, Leon King, Adam Devine and Alex Lowry. All are capable and encouraging young players, but they are not at the stage where they can be considered game changers or match winners and Beale knows Rangers just need to grin and bear it and get through this period while he waits for the treatment room to clear.
The loss of Kemar Roofe just days into his latest comeback was a cruel blow and Beale needs Antonio Colak to hit the ground running to provide competition for Morelos. Having John Souttar and Ianis Hagi back will help, but it would be wrong to expect too much too soon from them.
The coming days will determine what business Rangers are able to do. Those deals will go some way to shaping the fortunes of Beale’s side for the next few months.
KILLIE LEFT FRUSTRATED FROM OLD FIRM DOUBLE
The semi-final with Celtic was an opportunity missed for McInnes and his men. The Ayrshire boss will have feelings of what might have been from the fixture against the other half of Glasgow.
Rangers were rattled when Stokes headed Killie in front early on and the hosts had chances to add to their tally. Once Beale’s side pulled level, it felt like only a matter of time that they would pull away.
Wright should have done better with a header as he spurned a glorious chance to make it 2-2. Within minutes, Armstrong was given his marching orders after catching Borna Barisic in the face and collecting a second yellow card from referee Kevin Clancy.
The game was still live while Rangers pressed for their third goal. As soon as it arrived, that was that for a Killie side that couldn’t be faulted for effort or organisation but one that ultimately came up short once again despite Wright giving them hope late on.
