Kilmarnock gaining an edge in the numbers game

Ten facts to ponder as Kilmarnock prepare to face Rangers at Ibrox today: Kilmarnock have lost in 90 minutes on only one occasion in 18 outings as Steve Clarke’s arrival has transformed them from potential relegation candidates to possible European-place challengers. Two ex-rangers players have clinched four points out of a possible six for Kilmarnock in league meetings with the Ibrox side this season. Chris Burke netted an addedtime equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Govan five months ago, while Kris Boyd hit the winner in Killie’s 2-1 victory at Rugby Park in December. Steve Clarke has only lost three league games across his entire Rugby Park reign, which began in mid-october. Two of these reverses came against Aberdeen, the other inflicted by Hibernian. Kilmarnockhaven’tlost to Rangers in four of the past five league meetings between the sides. A win apiece and three draws have been the outcomes. Kilmarnock lie fifth in the Premiership. They finished fifth in 2010-11, the only occasion they have ended up in the top half of the table since 2007. Rangers have this seasonlostsixhomegames in a league campaign for the first time since 1971-72. Hibernian and Celtic have twice beaten them at Ibrox, with the other reverses coming against Hamilton Accies and St Johnstone. Rangers must avoid another home league defeat this season to prevent them suffering seven such losses for the first time since 1914-15. Rangers have had eight different scorers in their past 311 minutes of football. Kilmarnock No 9 Kris Boyd has netted 19 goals already this season. He is on course to beat his 22-goal total for the Rugby Park side in 2013-14 – the only campaign in which he has topped the 20-goal mark since the final season of his first spell at Rangers, which was 2009-10. That term he bagged 26 goals. Rangers last failed to score at home in the Premiership ten league games ago. That was a 2-0 defeat by Hamilton Accies in October.