Kilmarnock Vs Rangers

Will be giving this one a watch tomorrow on my new Setanta free view box and am looking forward to it. People can say what they like about the SPL but i thoroughly enjoy watching it.

Your thoughts on this tie? I forsee a comfortable 2-0 or 2-1 win for the Gers.

Teams are in:

Rangers: McGregor; Broadfoot, Cuellar, Weir, Papac; Burke, Ferguson, Hemdani, McCulloch; Boyd, Darcheville.
Subs: Alexander, Dailly, Davis, Novo, Naismith, Furman, Fleck.

Kilmarnock: Combe, Fowler, Hay, Wright, Ford, Locke, Invincibile, Johnston, Hamill, Bryson, Taouil.
Subs: Harpur, Gibson, Di Giacomo, Fernandez, O'Leary, Clancy, Corrigan.

Surprised at the attacking nature of the Killie lineup, i was of the opinion they would have Invincible operating on his own, but it appears he is partnered in a 4-4-2 by Taouil.

Boyd back in the side for the trip to his old club, where he virtually always scores, Naismith on the bench.

25 minutes gone at Rugby Park, and Carlos Cuellar nets a header to put Rangers 1-0 ahead. The ball was worked well by Burke from a short corner, the ball eventually went into Boyd who stooped low to win the header which then was headed on by another Rangers player (I didn't see who) and finally to an unmarked Cuellar who got good power and direction on his header to divert it past Alan Combe. Fifth goal of the season for the solid Spaniard central Defender.

It's a shame really, in my opinion Kilmarnock have so far given a good account of themselves given their poor, poor recent run of form. Simon Ford just going mightily close with a header.

Half time and Rangers still lead by a goal to nil through Carlos Cuellar's well directed header twenty minutes before the interval. As far as the game has gone, Rangers certainly have not dominated as many thought that they would, with Kilmarnock having their fair share of possession and even moving the ball better at times than their Glaswegian counterparts. However during this possession they have been a little too eager in the final third and have run into a bit of a roadblock in the form of Rangers' back four, with Simon Ford having the only real memorable chance for Killie when his looping header just flashed over the bar, McGregor well beaten.

As I said, Rangers have been solid as always at the back with Weir and Cuellar, both of whom also offering their own significant threat from set pieces, but up front they are looking a little lacklustre with Boyd really struggling to make an impact on the game and Jean-Claude Darcheville spurning two glorious chances to put the game to bed.

2-0 now and game over in terms of the scoreline one suspects. A clear handball from Hamill in the Kilmarnock area saw a penalty rightly given to Rangers and Kris Boyd stood up and confidently dispatched the ball home past former teammate Alan Combe.

Once again however it was Kilmarnock who were really dictating the play and pace of the game before the penalty and came agonisingly close to pulling the scores level at 1-1 after a scorching effort was bravely headed off the line by Sasa Papac.

Tarouil has been causing Rangers all kinds of problems early in this second half.

Finishes 2-0 to Rangers at Rugby Park, after a very dull but relatively efficient performance from the league leaders. Kilmarnock were the better side for lengthy spells, but the solidity of Rangers' back four, a defence in which their success this season has been largely built upon, proved to be to hard to break down for Killie and Rangers record their eighth straight clean sheet. They struggled to really get a flow going, Boyd not really able to impose himself and Darchville spurning golden opportunities.

Man of the Match: For me, it would have to be Carlos Cuellar of Rangers. Solid as ever at the back with a series of dominant aerial challenges and competent clearances, never really looked out of sorts despite a decent performance from Killie's Moroccan Mehdi Tarouil, and was never pressured into making mistakes. Capped the performance off with a wonderful first half header to put Rangers ahead.

get in the gers.deserving the league so far.how many old firm games left anybody??

There is 3 left mate!

It was starting to get rather lonely in this thread!

I was watching the game and writing my thoughts here to myself!

cheers man! so they have only played each other once this season.mite watch the rangers match later on.im sure it will be on again.was it any good

Just read my thoughts on the game above mate.

oh it didnt seem the best game.im a fan of Kris Boyd.very underrated player

He's guaranteed to score goals. Didn't have much of an impact today however. Got himself a goal from the penalty spot.

He's guaranteed to score goals. Didn't have much of an impact today however. Got himself a goal from the penalty spot.

i think he is there best striker.dont know how nochu novu gets in that team.did steven smith make a return.

Novo is just a bench player for them these days. Smith did not play mate no.

Boyd will score goals, i hope they persist with darch, naismith and cousin.

Can't wait for the next OF game though.

Our Performance Was Ok Today But Still No The Best

Oh And Cant Wait To The Next Old Firm I Think It Will Decide The Title

Well surely you should be dreading the next game then

I really don't rate Darcheville. His physicality can often get him in good positions but his finishing and composure looks quite poor