Killie brushed aside as Gers set standard

Jason Holt reckons Rangers must match the standards they set against Kilmarnock if they are to continue their revival.

The Ibrox men have been on the receiving end of some stinging criticism in the wake of last week’s defeat to Celtic in the Betfred Cup semi-final and the lifeless draw with St Johnstone on Wednesday.

But they were far slicker as they put on their best display of the season to claim a 3-0 home win over Killie.

Lee Wallace and Joe Garner netted either side of an Andy Halliday penalty to move Gers up to second place in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

The Light Blues head to Dingwall to face Ross County on Sunday but midfielder Holt warned his side they must not slip below the performance levels they mustered against Lee Clark’s team.

He said: “It was probably our best performance of the season in terms of our passing and movement. The tempo of our play was pleasing.

“Midweek against St Johnstone was a big disappointment so it was important we bounced back.

“We always try and start on the front foot and play at a high tempo. We did that on Saturday. You could see from the start we wanted to create chances and score. That set the tone.

“We did that and it’s nice to be up into second. That said, we are not settling for that and we need to kick on again.

“We’ve set the standards today and we can’t let that drop. Those standards are high so we need to make sure we keep to that level next week.”

Michael O’Halloran was the stand-out performer for Mark Warburton’s men as his pace caused the Killie defence no end of problems.

l Hearts came from behind to secure a point in a 3-3 draw at Inverness.

David Raven and Lonsana Doumbouya put the hosts two ahead and Aaron Doran edged them in front again at 3-2. Bjorn Johnsen, Faycal Rherras and Arnaud Djoum found the net for Hearts.

l Motherwell thumped Ross County 4-1 at Fir Park.

Veteran striker Scott McDonald headed in the opener before Louis Moult’s cut-back was turned into his own goal by Staggies defender Kenny van der Weg.

Right-back Richard Tait added a third in the 51st minute and Lionel Ainsworth walked in the fourth. County substitute Alex Schalk reduced the deficit.