Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Gers blew chance to Kil tie off
RANGERS blew a golden chance to advance in the Scottish Cup on Saturday as skipper James Tavernier missed a penalty.
In a tight and scrappy game at Kilmarnock, Rangers should have broken the deadlock after Kirk Broadfoot handled in the box as he fell blocking Scott Arfield’s shot.
But for the second successive game, Killie keeper Daniel Bachmann saved a spot-kick, denying Tavernier after thwarting Dundee’s Kenny Miller in midweek.
Rangers struggled without the banned Alfredo Morelos. The Colombian’s ability to hustle defenders was missed as Jermain Defoe toiled to get into the contest.
One second-half chance for the Englishman was fired wide. Killie’s best chance came when a corner caused havoc and Andy Halliday cleared Youssouf Mulumbu’s effort off the line.
The replay is on Wednesday week and Mulumbu is adamant Kilmarnock can storm Ibrox and reach the last eight of the Cup.
The Congolese enjoyed his first outing at Rugby Park since returning on loan from Celtic, looking as though he’d never been away with a strong display.
He said: “Obviously at Celtic I didn’t have many games and it was a bit frustrating but I’m back at Kilmarnock and there was a little bit of pressure to be involved in the game and to prepare. I was happy.
“I thought we did well. We are fully confident.
“It’s a cup game and we will try to win it.”