Rangers 3:1 Kilmarnock: Miller Magic Shoots Two To Take Top

Rangers 3:1 Kilmarnock
Ibrox Park

21st February 2009

Attendance: 50,301
Referee: B Wilson

Team Lineups

Rangers: McGregor; Broadfoot, Bougherra, Weir, Papac; Davis, Ferguson, Mendes, Fleck(Off 68); Miller, Boyd(Off 76).
Subs: Alexander, Edu, Naismith, Dailly, Lafferty(On 76), Whittaker, Aaron(On 68).

Goals :- Boyd, Miller(2)
Booked :- Boyd.

Kilmarnock: Combe; Lilley, Ford, Wright, Hay(Off 82); Murray, Pascali, Bryson, Skelton(Off 71), Hamill; Kyle.
Subs: Rascle, Taouil(On 71), Gibson(On 82), O'Leary, Flannigan, Sammon, Anson.

Goals :- Hamill
Booked :- Skelton, Combe.

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Highlights

16 mins:- Bougherra and Broadfoot conspire to muck up big time and allow Killie in behind and a simple tap in for Hamill.

29 mins:- Bougherra peels off at the back post to knock a Mendes cross back in front of goal and there was only one man who was going to be there to fire it home for his 24th goal of the season. Kris Boyd.

33 mins:- The second goal of a devastating six minutes for Rangers. Miller dispossesses Frazer Wright to run in on goal and fire home taking his tally into double figures.

35 mins:- Miller again showing he is back on form after a dodgy spell. A lovely flick by Mendes sends Miller through and he fires off a left foot drive. 3-1.

54 mins:- Rangers start off at a dropped pace and allow Killie to push forward and a fine save by McGregor stops Hamill getting his second of the game.

62 mins:- Great play on the left between Mendes and Papac with a wee back flick letting Mendes drive in from the left only to see his ripping shot saved.

64 mins:- The gloom of the second half lifts a bit as Rangers once more lift the crowd. This time its Bougherra again with a driving run through the heart of the Killie side only to see his cross well cut out.

71 mins:- Davis just misses two tap ins. One from the right delivered by Miller and one from the left from Aaron.

80 mins:- Lafferty thwarted by a last ditch Lilley tackle. Again it was Mendes the creator.

83 mins:- Taouil tests McGregor who again proves he’s up to the task.

90 mins:- Bougherra brings back memories of Big Ammo with a wildly struck free kick.

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Summary

Rangers once more infuriated the fans by coming out on go slow. It took the Killie goal to kick start our players into gear but once more they showed that when they can be arsed, they can be very clinical.

Some positives from the game were the gelling of the midfield pairing of Mendes and Ferguson, who look to be forming a good partnership. It seems that the roles have been sorted with Ferguson staying back and allowing Mendes to get forward and do what he does best: create.

And also the re aligning of Boyd and Miller who proved once more that between the two of them, there are always going to be goals.

Defensive wise we had a few scares with Bougherra looking more like a winger than a Centre back today although sometimes it takes someone like him driving from the back to give the rest of the team some impetus.

Overall the three points that we craved so much to send us back to the top of the SPL for the first time since the first week of the season were very gratefully received and hopefully adds enough pressure to the game tomorrow that they, once more, start to crack and drop points.

For the time being, we’re back where we belong.

WATP