Watkins’ late strike gives Kilmarnock win over Rangers

Watkins’ late strike gives Kilmarnock win over Rangers

Marley Watkins struck late at Rugby Park to earn Kilmarnock a deserved Scottish Premiership victory over low-key Rangers.

The forward was too strong for John Souttar as they challenged for a dropping ball in the penalty area and his shot took a slight deflection off the defender on the way past Jack Butland.

The 87th-minute strike earned Kilmarnock their first home win of the season and moves them up to seventh place in the Premiership.

Rangers had hoped to profit from top two Celtic and Aberdeen sharing the spoils on Saturday but lacked intensity and now find themselves six points off the pace. 

Right from the off, the visitors appeared unsettled by the gusting winds from Storm Ashley and an aggressive press from Kilmarnock.

Long balls to Kyle Vassell were proving fruitful for the hosts, who really should have taken an early lead.

Butland made great recovery save at the feet of Watkins, while Matty Kennedy failed to get a touch in front of goal as Corrie Ndaba delivered a fabulous cross.

Butland was beaten by a Robbie Deas header but the Kilmarnock defender had strayed offside from a free-kick and the first half ended not long after a shot from Vassell zipped over the top.

All Rangers could muster before the interval was a Vaclav Cerny shot that was beaten away by Robby McCrorie.

The former Ibrox goalkeeper was busier in the second half, tipping away an effort from Dessers, before the striker hit the crossbar from the resulting corner and Robin Propper knocked the rebound too high from close range.

McCrorie then saved well from Souttar after misjudging a cross, but Rangers could not build any sustained pressure.

Kilmarnock continued to offer a threat on the break and from set-pieces.

Kennedy miscued a couple of chances and Deas was guilty of a fresh-air swipe, but they were rewarded for their determination and endeavour when Watkins made the breakthrough.

(BBCSport)

 

By Teen Trust News

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts