MARLEY WATKINS’ LATE strike gave Kilmarnock a shock 1-0 Scottish Premiership win over rudderless Rangers at Rugby Park.
League leaders Celtic and Aberdeen drew 2-2 at Parkhead on Saturday to offer chasing Rangers some encouragement in the title race, but on their return from the international break Philippe Clement’s side failed miserably in their bid to take advantage.
Despite having plenty of possession, there was a disjointed look to Rangers, whose fans held up protest banners in the second half, one of which called for the “mismanagement” of the club to stop.
Rangers improved little after the break and Killie struck in the 87th minute when Watkins broke through to beat goalkeeper Jack Butland and earn his side a first home win of the season, with Rangers dropping six points behind Celtic and Aberdeen.
Rangers have to recover from another blow to start preparing for the Europa League game against Romanian side FCSB at Ibrox on Thursday night, but even this early their title hopes look forlorn and their supporters vented their frustration at the end.
There were fears that Storm Ashley could have an effect on the noon kick-off in Ayrshire, but the sun was out, albeit the artificial surface was soaked.
Killie, whose 3-2 win over Dundee last time out was their first domestic victory of the season, had good early chances.
Gers left-back Jefte’s header back to Butland in the fourth minute was short and allowed captain Kyle Vassell to get in front of Robin Propper to toe poke the ball back to Watkins, whose shot took a touch off the recovering keeper before it was blocked by defender John Souttar.
Then Killie wide man Matty Kennedy somehow missed a cross from left-back Corrie Ndaba right in front of the Rangers goal.
The visitors were struggling to find any rhythm, but in the 18th minute former Rangers keeper Robby McCrorie made a good save from Vaclav Cerny’s long-range drive, a rare attempt on goal.
When Gers skipper James Tavernier was booked for a foul on Brad Lyons, Killie took a short free-kick and defender Robbie Deas headed in from Kennedy’s cross, only to see the offside flag go up, the decision confirmed by VAR.
Vassell then failed to direct a whipped Kennedy cross on target.
The visitors started the second half with the sight of their fans holding up banners reading “the mismanagement of Rangers must stop and stop now”.
On the pitch, in the 52nd minute Dessers’ drive from 30 yards was tipped round a post by McCrorie for a corner, from which the Gers striker hit the bar before Propper put the loose ball behind.
Leon Balogun and Nico Raskins replaced Propper and Barron and Rangers began pressing with more purpose, McCrorie making saves from Tavernier and Souttar, although in the 70th minute on a Killie break Kennedy tested Butland with a decent drive.
There seemed to be cheers from the Rangers fans when Dessers was replaced moments later by Hamza Igamane, while Neraysho Kasanwirjo and Kieran Dowell came on for Cerny and Tom Lawrence, with Tavernier moving to a more advanced role.
Killie had brought on Gary Mackay-Steven and Bruce Anderson for Vassell and Danny Armstrong and the game was in the balance until Watkins pounced, running on to a pass from substitute Watson and brushing past Souttar to send a shot bouncing past Butland.
Igamane missed the far post with an effort in the third of six added minutes, but ultimately Rangers missed the chance to put pressure on the league leaders.
