Kilmarnock 1 – 0 Rangers

Rangers failed to close the gap on leaders Celtic after Marley Watkins’ late strike gave Kilmarnock a 1-0 victory at Rugby Park.

Celtic and Aberdeen drew 2-2 at Parkhead on Saturday to give the Gers a boost in the title race, but on their return from the international break, Philippe Clement’s side failed miserably in their bid to take advantage.

Despite having plenty of possession, Rangers looked distraught, with fans holding up protest banners in the second half, one of which called for the club’s “mismanagement” to end after interim chairman John Gilligan returned in midweek on demand. through lack of leadership.

Rangers surged slightly after the break and Killie scored in the 87th minute as Watkins beat goalkeeper Jack Butland to secure their first home win of the season, with Rangers dropping six points behind Celtic and Aberdeen.

‘Rangers not progressing’

“Rangers were toothless in attack,” he said Sky Sports’ Chris Boyd. “If results continue as they are now, big questions will be asked. Rangers are not progressing as a football club.”

Sky Sports’ Chris Sutton added: “From the perspective of Rangers, the whole season of performance is gone. When they lose in the same way today, you have to worry. They seem to be miles off.

“But I think we have to be patient because what’s the alternative? Sack Clement? Get someone else? The new manager will come in and say ‘give me £20m to spend on new players’.”

How Rangers slumped to defeat

Rangers must recover from another blow to begin preparations for their Europa League clash against Romanian side FCSB at Ibrox on Thursday night, but even at this early stage their title hopes are looking forlorn and supporters are venting their frustration at the end.

There were fears that Storm Ashley could have an effect on the noon kick-off in Ayrshire, but the sun was out, although the artificial surface was soaked. Kilmarnock started on top with Butland having to make a good recovery to deny Watkins after Jefte’s header back had dropped short.

Former Rangers goalkeeper Robby McCrorie made a fine save from Vaclav Cerny’s long-range shot, a rare first-half effort on goal before Kilmarnock’s Robbie Deas headed in from Matthew Kennedy’s cross, only to see the offside flag raised, the decision confirmed by VAR.

The visitors started the second half with the sight of fans holding up banners reading “Rangers mismanagement must stop and stop now”.

Rangers initially improved with Cyriel Dessers’ drive from 25 yards tipped round the right post by McCrorie for a corner, from which the Gers striker hit the bar before Robin Propper put the loose ball behind.

Leon Balogun and Nico Raskins replaced Propper and Barron and Rangers began to press with other goals, making McCrorie save from Tavernier and John Souttar, although in the 70th minute in the Killie break, Kennedy tested Butland with a decent drive.

There seemed to be cheers from Rangers fans when Dessers was replaced moments later by Hamza Igamane, while Neraysho Kasanwirjo and Kieran Dowell came on for Cerny and Tom Lawrence, with Tavernier moving into a more advanced role.

Killie had brought on Gary Mackay-Steven and Bruce Anderson for Vassell and Danny Armstrong and the game was in the balance until Watkins pounced, running on a pass from substitute Watson and brushing past Souttar to send a shot bouncing past Butland.

Igamane missed the far post with his third effort in six minutes of added time, but in the end Rangers missed the chance to put pressure on the league leaders.

‘We’re not good enough to win’

Rangers manager Philippe Clement spoke to Sky Sports:

“Kilmarnock work hard. It’s a tough place to play and you have to be more accurate on the surface than on grass.

“All these things you knew before you came here. It’s all our responsibility. We’re not good enough to win this game.

“It’s frustrating because I don’t think this is the phase that the team has shown in the last few weeks. It’s also a different game, but we have to adapt better.”

‘We never decided to draw’

Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes spoke to Sky Sports:

“These are three important points. We are happy with the clean sheet we have been looking for. This is a stronger performance than we usually have and expect from ourselves.

“We have to respect Rangers for finishing that threat. Our press was very good. We were the better team in the first half.

“The second half was more balanced, but we never won 0-0.”

What’s next for the Scottish Premiership?