Top Rankin kills off brave Killie revival
DUNDEE UNITED proved they are still the Premiership’s entertainers with a thrilling win over Kilmarnock.
The topsy-turvy Tangerines took an early lead at Tannadice, but their defensive frailties were exposed as Allan Johnston’s side fought back to lead 2-1 with just 25 minutes to go.
That prompted a stunning United fightback, however, and the home side went on to claim their first League win since December 21, thanks to goals from Curtis Good and John Rankin.
That was harsh on Killie, whose key pairing of Kris Boyd and Alexei Eremenko looked a threat all afternoon.
But such was the potency of United’s attacking display that there was no question Jackie McNamara’s side deserved the points.
McNamara made one change to the team that won in the Cup last week, Keith Watson coming in at right-back for Mark Wilson.
Killie boss Allan Johnston did the same, handing Eremenko the first start of his second spell at Rugby Park in place of Greg Kiltie.
The Finnish internationalist was initially tasked with supporting lone front man Boyd from midfield, but it wasn’t long before he began dropping deeper in search of the ball.
In spite of his retreat, he was powerless to stop the Tangerines’ opener after 10 minutes.
Gary Mackay-Steven was the man on the mark — and his strike was a masterclass in composure.
The United wing king won possession after a catastrophic slip by Killie left-back Jackson Irvine 30 yards from goal before bearing down on Craig Samson unchallenged.
With so much time to consider his options, he could easily have chosen the wrong one. Instead, he slotted calmly past the onrushing Killie stopper to claim his eighth of the season and hand United a deserved early lead.
Killie were soon on top, however, and United’s young centre- half pairing of John Souttar and G ood looked vulnerable under pressure.
Their inexperience played a part in Killie’s equaliser when a Radoslaw Cierzniak kick-out was headed straight back down the park by Robbie Muirhead. The lurking Boyd allowed the ball to bounce past him to Eremenko, who appeared to be retreating from an offside position — but there was no claim from the United players and the Killie man lashed home an absolute stunner from 25 yards.
The visitors continued to dominate into the second half, and it was no surprise to see them take the lead on 63 minutes.
A long ball forward for Boyd drew Cierzniak off his line, but the Killie man won the aerial battle to notch with a high, looping effort.
If Killie had plans to sit back and defend their lead they were spoiled almost immediately by United, who hit back through Good’s near-post header.
It was breathless stuff and by the time Rankin popped up with 20 minutes left to put United ahead for the second time from a ridiculously narrow angle, ever yone inside Tannadice needed a breather.
It was harsh on Killie, but United earned the win