Spot-kick miss costly as draw shows Gers how much they miss Morelos
KILMARNOCK 0 RANGERS 0
Kilmarnock and the Light Blues will have to do it all again a week on Wednesday after a Scottish Cup stalemate at Rugby Park.
Tavernier couldn’t score his fourth penalty in seven days after quarter of an hour – a miss that proved costly.
The Rangers captain converted two of the three spot kicks he took against St Mirren last Saturday and again stepped up to take the strike from 12 yards last night.
One of his attempts hit the post against St Mirren, but this time he was foiled by a fine save from Killie keeper Dan Bachmann.
It was his second penalty save in a row, having stopped Kenny Miller’s kick at Dundee in midweek.
This one was celebrated like a goal by the home fans.
Steven Gerrard was clearly disappointed but had words of encouragement for Tavernier.
He said: “The penalty was frustrating but James has been really strong from the spot.
“He’s got the courage to take it and he’s disappointed himself.
“I’m pleased that he never let it affect his performance.
“I thought he was very strong on the night, given his disappointment at missing the penalty. “When I analyse the game I think we lacked a bit in the final third.” The award came after Ryan Kent robbed O’donnell on the left wing.
He fed Arfield and the his shot was handled by Kirk Broadfoot.
There wasn’t much of a protest about the referee’s decision – a real rarity these days. Kilmarnock were the more dangerous side when it came to attempts on goal from open play in the first half.
Andy Halliday had to clear a Mulumbu shot off the line at the end of an almighty stramash that saw several home players have a swipe at the ball.
Tavernier was the only survivor from the Rangers starting 11 that played Ayr United in this round of the Scottish Cup a year ago.
Many of the missing players have now departed, but one who would have been involved is Alfredo Morelos.
The Colombian striker’s appeal against the red card he received against Aberdeen was rejected on Friday night and this was the first of a three-match suspension.
He was badly missed when the hapless Umar Sadiq took over in the League Cup semi-final defeat at Hampden.
Yesterday it was Jermain Defoe occupying the main striking role.
His ability as a finisher is without question but the 36-year-old doesn’t have the physicality that allows Morelos to make games so uncomfortable for defenders.
Killie boss Steve Clarke, acknowledged by his opposite number as a master tactician, set up to make it difficult for Rangers to get much space in the wide areas.
That forced them through the middle where they found Dicker and Power waiting with tackles aplenty.
Mulumbu took a few steps back in the second half when Power had to be replaced by Kris Boyd after a clash of heads with Mccrorie.
It became a scruffy, bitty affair as proceedings moved beyond the hour mark.
The home side remained content to stifle the midfield and attack on the break, while Rangers toiled to create clear-cut opportunities.
It was another reminder of how much they get from Morelos—he so often makes his own chances.
Joe Worrall should have done
better from a corner but headed wide.
Jermain Defoe was again accused of going down too easily in the penalty area when he took a tumble as he tried to flick the ball past Kirk Broadfoot.
He didn’t make a strong appeal and the referee wasn’t interested in awarding another penalty but that didn’t stop him leaving the field with chants of “cheat” ringing in his ears when replaced by Lafferty. Broadfoot went some way to defending his opponent.
He said: “On the pitch Defoe said to me that he’d told the ref it wasn’t a penalty.
“He’s taken a wee dive and flicked his leg out but, to be fair to him, he’s said it wasn’t a penalty.”
The former England man had earlier spurned a good chance when Mcrorie sent him through after Mulumbu was caught in possession.
Defoe shot wide from the righthand side of the penalty area.
It was another passage of play that must have had the Rangers fans thinking about Morelos.
You can’t keep his name out of the news – even when he’s not playing.
He’ll be back for the replay and that could make a huge difference.