KRIS-MAS HELL FOR NEW BOSS
RANGERS capitulated after the break yesterday as former Ibrox hero Kris Boyd hit a double.
Off the back of a home loss to St Johnstone, and with an Old Firm game on the horizon next Saturday, it was the worst possible start for new Gers boss Graeme Murty (below).
But Steve Clarke’s side were well worthy of a first win over Rangers since 2012, having been the better side for most of the 90 minutes.
In fact, if not for Gers keeper Wes Foderingham, Killie would have won by more.
Until the January window opens Murty’s options are limited, especially with the likes of Ryan Jack suspended and Graham Dorrans injured. His cause wasn’t helped yesterday when Bruno Alves ruled himself out with a muscle problem.
In former West Brom midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu, Killie had the best player on the pitch. He was breaking up a lot of Rangers’ play and driving his side forward. Rangers looked happy to invite pressure in the hope of punishing the home side on the break. And they got it through Declan John’s terrific finish. Tavernier and Daniel Candeias worked space for Windass and he picked out the Welshman and with his right foot he steered the ball into the corner. After the interval Rangers were increasingly reliant on Foderingham and he twice denied Boyd but the former Blues striker soon turned the game on its head. Rangers seemed distracted by Stephen O’donnell lying injured near the corner flag but he was never going to be offside while not interfering – and Eamonn Brophy got in to cross for Boyd who buried it. Two minutes later Mulumbu hit a longrange shot but Boyd got a flick on it to take it away from the keeper and into the net and all of a sudden Murty’s debut was becoming a nightmare.