Sport
Kilmarnock boss praises three Rangers stars
Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes was left to rue key contributions from Jack Butland, James Tavernier and Tom Lawrence as Rangers came from behind to secure a massive 2-1 win at Rugby Park on Wednesday night.
Two wins. Two very different wins.
But, as far as Rangers are concerned – Philippe Clement’s side scraping a 2-1 triumph on the road away to a team who defeated them on the opening day – these three extremely hard-earned points could yet prove to be a decisive moment in an enthralling title race, on a night in which Celtic entered seventh heaven at home to Dundee.
Not for the first time, those in blue were indebted to a pair of stunning contributions at either end from his two most experienced campaigners. Jack Butland showed exactly why he has been linked with an England re-call as he denied Matty Kennedy with Kilmarnock 1-0 up. Ensuring that James Tavernier’s latest pinpoint free-kick was an equaliser rather than a deficit-reducer.
Tom Lawrence’s instinctive, snapshot winner on the hour mark, meanwhile, ensured that 1-0 became 1-2 within hte space of just four second-half minutes.
Rangers bounce back to beat Kilmarnock
“Butland’s save at 1-0, it just confirms how good he is. That is a huge moment for Rangers in the context of the game,” sighs McInnes.
The former Aberdeen boss praised the determination and the fight of Clement’s visitors, while also hailing his own side’s performance in Ayrshire.
“Tavernier’s free kick, having seen it again, the height he gets to get it up and over. Top class,” McInnes adds. “He’s done that time and time again for Rangers. So there’s two moments
“(For the third goal) Rangers counter press can be good in these moments. The ball breaks to Lawrence and it’s an unbelievable strike. So there’s three Rangers players there who have played a huge part, clearly in the game.
“Butland, Tavernier and Lawrence.”
Philippe Clement’s side stay top
Lawrence’s 59th minute winner means Rangers are still two points clear of Old Firm rivals Celtic at the top of the Premiership table, even if Brendan Rodgers’ clinical Hoops outfit did close the gap in the goal difference stakes.
