Scottish Cup: Rangers 0-0 Kilmarnock

Rangers failed to live up to their 'favourites' tag as former Ibrox defender Lee McCulloch led Kilmarnock to a draw in his debut as caretaker.

The Ayrshire side ground out a Scottish Cup replay as the Championship leaders failed to defeat a top-flight side for the second time this season.

Rangers' James Tavernier fired against the upright in an even first half.

Home defender Danny Wilson also headed against the bar before Killie's Kallum Higginbotham was sent off late on.

Kilmarnock held out without the midfielder, dispatched for a lunging challenge on Tavernier, to ensure Rangers failed to score for the first time since Mark Warburton was appointed in the summer

The sides will meet again on 16 February at Rugby Park.

There won't be many times when a team from the league above go into a game as such heavy underdogs in the eyes of pundits and bookmakers.

It was understandable given Rangers' table-topping form in the Championship while Kilmarnock's last two defeats led to the resignation of manager Gary Locke with his side second bottom of the Premiership.

Killie had been exposed in their last visit to Ibrox, brushed aside 3-0 in a November 2014 Scottish Cup tie, since when Rangers have strengthened and, if anything, Kilmarnock have gone backwards.

But Rangers came up short in their last attempt to prove their top-flight credentials, losing 3-1 at home to St Johnstone in September, and there were no signs of any feelings of inferiority from Kilmarnock as they matched the hosts early on.

Kilmarnock midfielder Kallum Higginbotham was sent off by referee Bobby Madden

McCulloch, whose seven years at Ibrox ended in the summer, made his mark with five changes to his starting line-up, including debuts for new signings Gary Dicker and Lee Hodson, and Josh Magennis was first to threaten with a near-post header that flashed just wide.

However, Rangers' relentless passing game gradually pushed the visitors on to the back foot.

Jamie MacDonald had to beat away a Lee Wallace drive, then the Kilmarnock goalkeeper was thankful for the presence of his near post as he was beaten by an even more thunderous Tavernier effort from 18 yards.

A similar attempt at the other end from Tope Obadeyi had Rangers goalkeeper Wes Foderingham scrambling, but by then the visitors were being forced to operate on the break.

Yet Kilmarnock came close to a half-time lead when Craig Slater weaved his way into the Rangers penalty box and Foderingham knew little about it as the midfielder's effort struck the top of his head and over the crossbar.

The visitors could not build on that as they were pegged back further after the break and MacDonald had to turn wide an Andy Halliday shot.

When Wilson's looping header struck the face of the bar, Martyn Waghorn fired the rebound into the side netting.

Magennis was a lonely figure up front for Kilmarnock, but he was able to re-join his team-mates in celebration as the final whistle blew.

Rangers manager Mark Warburton: "It was frustrating because there was a lot of good work going on.

"Barrie McKay was excellent. I thought Dom Ball in centre midfield was very good.

"We created a lot of chances and their keeper pulled off a couple of good saves.

"Martyn Waghorn is in there hanging his head but he knows he's been first class and he will score that most days I'm sure."

Kilmarnock caretaker manager Lee McCulloch: "I have enjoyed this week and today.

"There were some nerves this morning and I am delighted with the reception I got and delighted with the way the team bounced back from a disappointing result last week.

"At the time, I didn't think it was a red card. I haven't seen it back, so to be brutally honest, I can't comment too much on it."