Kilmarnock 1-2 Rangers: Philippe Clement savours 'massive three points'
- Published
James Tavernier curled in a terrific free-kick to level the scores after Rangers fell behind
Rangers manager Philippe Clement welcomed a "massive three points" as his team came from behind to beat Kilmarnock and preserve their two-point Scottish Premiership lead.
As Celtic, hot on Rangers' heels, set about thrashing Dundee, the Ibrox side trailed to Danny Armstrong's penalty after John Lundstram handled in the box.
But as the visitors sought salvation, four stunning second-half minutes swung the match.
James Tavernier bent home a trademark free-kick, then Tom Lawrence viciously slotted from the left after a driving run and ricochet.
"It shows our team has a lot of resilience even when things don't go your way," Clement told BBC Scotland.
"The reaction in the second half was major. The team stepped up and showed more. At the end of the road, I think this will be a massive three points."
Kilmarnock, beaten at home for only the third time this season, remain fourth, a point ahead of St Mirren and 12 behind Hearts.
Rangers began with the assured air of a team in the groove, Fabio Silva had an early shot deflected wide before Connor Goldson's thunderous header was beaten clear by Will Dennis.
There was a degree of self-harm about the opener, but Armstrong's persistence was telling.
The winger snapped at the heels of Borna Barisic by the corner flag, the Croatian tumbled and grabbed the ball, expecting a free-kick. Instead, he was penalised for handball.
Kilmarnock took the set-piece short and Armstrong's delivery was blocked by the arm of the jumping Lundstram. Armstrong calmly fired down the middle as Jack Butland flew to his right.
Rangers gave themselves palpitations again soon after, Mohamed Diomande awkwardly scooping a pass back towards Butland from halfway but missing his target.
Butland was fleet enough to reach the ball before the galloping Liam Polworth, who protested bitterly that Diomande has clipped him on his way.
The goalkeeper, so often a saviour for Rangers, was needed again soon after the break - in a big way.
A quickly taken free-kick sprung Kyle Vassell down the right and his cutback rolled into the path of Matty Kennedy eight yards out. Kennedy looked certain to score. Butland kept him out, springing to his right and pawing the shot away.
It was an enormous intervention, the platform for Clement's team to rouse themselves. In a few rip-roaring minutes, they turned the tables.
Lawrence was the architect, first steaming down the middle and bouncing a shot wide, being fouled by Polworth in the process. When Rangers need a hero, their captain arrives. Tavernier whacked the set-piece high into the top right corner.
Moments later, Lawrence swaggered forward again. He was felled once more on the left, but managed to scoop the ball towards Oscar Cortes and Cyriel Dessers in the box.
Corrie Ndaba took a heavy touch and Lawrence, who had leapt back to his feet, pounced, walloping a low shot home.
Dessers struck the bar from a Tavernier corner soon after but Kilmarnock remained a threat on the break, Kennedy blasting at Butland from distance on the half-volley, and Armstrong's teasing ball slipping wide.
They howled for a penalty when Liam Donnelly crashed to ground under Nicolas Raskin's challenge, but the officials saw no foul.
And, in the end, Rangers passed a stern examination of their title credentials.
Man of the match - Tom Lawrence (Rangers)
Lawrence's direct running set up both goals, the latter his first since August 2022, as he continues to put injury strife in the rear-view mirror and underscore his importance to Rangers' push for silverware
'Rangers prove their mettle' - analysis
A Derek McInnes outfit is always well organised, with clarity in their roles and diligence in their play, and this was another notable example. They carried a threat down the flanks and for 50 minutes, looked unflustered defensively.
Their lead was entirely deserved, the excellence of Armstrong once again on full display, with Vassell and Marley Watkins leading the line well.
Kilmarnock's decisive moment was the Kennedy miss. A chance to apply real heat to the title-chasers spurned. Still, a performance worthy of credit. European football is very much in reach.
This feels like a significant night for Rangers. The road ahead will be littered with twists and chicanes, but in digging out the win, they proved their mettle.
Two of the form teams in Scotland - Hearts and Kilmarnock - have been vanquished in four days. Adversity handled, pressure withstood, three points secured. Butland and Lawrence were key components.
What they said
Rangers 'stepped up and showed more' at Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes: "We had the better moments to get the second goal in the first half and we spoke at half-time about not hanging on to a lead for 45 minutes and we started the second half like a train.
"But games like this can be about big moments and, with the players Rangers have, that can win it, it's not the bigger performance.
"I don't think there was much in it, we were good value and that pleases me no end."
Rangers manager Philippe Clement: "This is a really hard place to come. Kilmarnock make things difficult on this pitch.
"I've been enjoying it from the first second I stepped into the building and there's no difference from that. I don't make any predictions. We're just focused on ourselves."
What's next?
Rangers host Motherwell on Saturday, aiming to extend their lead to five points, while Kilmarnock visit Dundee (both 15:00 GMT).