Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Leaders Rangers roar to dramatic comeback win at plucky Killie
RANGERS maintained their advantage over Celtic at the top of the cinch Premiership but only after a hard-fought 2-1 comeback win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
Killie wide-man Danny Armstrong scored from the spot in the 11th minute of an energetic first half and Derek McInnes’s side were worth their lead.
The Gers had to dig deep and captain James Tavernier levelled in the 55th minute with a trademark free-kick before midfielder Tom Lawrence netted with a fine finish just four minutes later.
The visitors had racked up 10 wins in a row with a 5-0 win over Hearts at the weekend, including a 3-1 win over Killie on January 2, the only defeat for the Ayrshire outfit in their last 14 outings.
Philippe Clement had noted the vagaries of the artificial surface and again tinkered with his Gers squad to suit, making three changes with Borna Barisic, Ross McCausland and Fabio Silva coming back in while the home side were unchanged.
Liam Donnelly came close with a header for Killie but moments later John Lundstram blocked an Armstrong cross with his arm and referee David Dickinson pointed to the spot.
Armstrong confidently beat Jack Butland with his penalty and yet another upset was on the cards.
Butland soon had to make a fine one-handed save to prevent Matty Kennedy stroking in a second from six yards out.
Killie paid for that miss after defender Lewis Mayo fouled Lawrence 25 yards from goal, with Tavernier stepping up to send his curling shot home.
Rangers went for the second, which came when Lawrence pounced on a loose ball and guided his shot into the far corner for his first goal of the season.