Tavernier rescues Rangers
Tavernier is the great leveller for Ibrox men
FOR RANGERS, this became one long night of frustration. Not what Mark Warburton had envisaged with an Old Firm meeting next on their competitive agenda.
Sluggish throughout a miserable first half, then unable to snatch a winner against ten men, the Ibrox side let slip two more Premiership points. It means they will head to Parkhead on September 10 with a deficit — having played a game more — if Celtic defeat Aberdeen in Glasgow this afternoon.
A friendly in Belfast provides Warburton with an opportunity to work things out over the coming fortnight. And he is currently not short on points to ponder.
Kilmarnock were the more cohesive side before the break, with Kris Boyd inflicting agony upon his former club. How many times had Rangers fans celebrated the kind of cool finish that caused them grief here? To be fair, the Ibrox outfit were unquestionably improved after the restart. James Tavernier planted a terrific freekick to bring them level before Greg Taylor was ordered off for a shocking lunge on Joey Barton. It was fortunate the 33-year-old wasn’t seriously injured.
Counting the five minutes of injury time, that left Rangers with more than half an hour to press home their advantage and claim the victory they so desired.
Jamie MacDonald’s qualities played a part in denying them that outcome. But, on the night new £1.5 million signing Joe Garner was introduced, they also lacked a persistent cutting edge.
Lee Clark’s side held firm to claim a valuable draw that lifted them onto four points.
Defeated by Ross Couty last weekend, the Kilmarnock manager strode onto the pitch to congratulate all ten of his remaining players at the final whistle.
Clark gained plentiful encouragement from the way Kilmarnock sought to gain an early initiative. They were on the front foot for decent spells of a frantic opening period and deserving of their half-time lead.
A drive from Adam Frizzell drew a penalty claim which was ignored by referee Kevin Clancy. Hill had his arm high when he blocked.
An unconvincing headed clearance by Rob Kiernan then presented Gary Dicker with an invitation from 20 yards.
The former Carlisle midfielder connected well, but without the necessary swerve to bring the ball inside Wes Foderingham’s righthand post.
There was further disruption for Rangers after 16 minutes as Dodoo, caught in an earlier challenge, pulled up. Physio Stevie Walker administered treatment before a stretcher was summoned.
Journeying into Ayrshire has come with health risks for Ibrox strikers during 2016.
Back in February, Martyn Waghorn succumbed to a knee injury that kept him out for 11 weeks.
Warburton pointed a finger of blame at the artificial pitch in that instance, something flatly rejected by Kilmarnock.
Dodoo’s departure meant an earlier than planned debut for Garner.
Yet it was Kilmarnock’s centreforward who made a greater impact before the break.
Boyd had already missed a snip when he miscued wide after being picked out by Greg Taylor’s low cross. But just as he has done over the course of a storied career, the 33-year-old was there to stick the next one away.
Credit goes to Greg Kiltie for creating the 29th-minute goal, apparently the 250th Boyd has scored in British football.
The youngster surged forward before bisecting Rangers’ defence with a neatly-weighted through-ball. His more experienced colleague did the rest via a clipped finish into the corner of the net.
Warburton’s side were rattled. And they produced little in the way of a response ahead of the interval.
James Tavernier had the clearest opportunity to level but he sent his strike woefully high.
The most noteworthy moment came with Joey Barton’s first booking in Scottish football, for a foul on Kiltie.
The outspoken midfielder had done precious little else worthy of attention.
Rangers badly needed Barton to exert a more positive influence as Kilmarnock pressed and harried them at every turn.
Garner appealed for a penalty when he toppled in a challenge with William Boyle. It looked optimistic and, again, Clancy took no interest.
By now, the Ibrox side had at least increased the tempo of their play. In an attempt to add incision to that energy, Warburton replaced Jordan Rossiter with Niko Kranjcar after 59 minutes.
The Croatian’s first involvement was to step over the excellent free-kick that Tavernier speared high into the net from 25 yards out. There was no disputing the quality of the strike, which brushed Jamie MacDonald’s left hand on its way towards levelling the match.
That set-piece had been awarded after Dean Hawkshaw was shown a yellow card for a strong challenge on Barrie McKay.
A far worse foul saw Kilmarnock reduced to ten men five minutes later.
Greg Taylor lost control with a reckless clatter into Barton. As the ex-Burnley man writhed on the astroturf, Clancy produced a red card. It was the only option.
It wasn’t long before Barton was replaced by Andy Halliday as Warburton played his final card in pursuit of a comeback.
Tavernier very nearly claimed his second from another swinging free-kick, but MacDonald expertly pushed away.
The goalkeeper then reprised the feat to block McKay at the near post as Kilmarnock saw it through.