Kilmarnock

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

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A 408-mile round trip for the poor, soaked Kilmarnock fans - and all for nothing.

It's a wonder Derek McInnes has any hair left, given how frustrating it must be watching his own side throw away points again and again this season.

A fifth red card of the season - and a really stupid one at that - was the start of their downfall in Dingwall, in a game that looked like seeing out.

They have good Premiership players in this squad - Danny Armstrong, Matty Kennedy, David Watson - but they cannot be expected to continually bail their teammates out.

McInnes had predicted a notoriously tough game up north and that was what he got before the red. Kyle Vassell was quieter than normal and the best first-half chances came from defenders marauding forward.

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Ross County: Laidlaw, Leak, Lopata, Wright, Brown, Randall, Denholm, Reid, Chilvers, White, Hale.

Substitutes: Hamilton, Lamie, Allardice, Loturi, Grieves, Nisbet, Efete, Samuel, Brophy.

Kilmarnock: McCrorie, Mayo, Deas, Findlay, Ndaba, Armstrong, Lyons, Donnelly, Kennedy, Vassell, Watkins.

Substitutes: O'Hara, Burroughs, Wright, McKenzie, Watson, Mackay-Steven, Murray, Anderson, Wales.

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On-loan Everton defender Eli Campbell and midfielder Charlie Telfer are suspended for Ross County, but centre-half Ricki Lamie returns to contention after an Achilles injury.

Will Nightingale, George Harmon and Max Sheaf remain out.

Kilmarnock defender Joe Wright is back from suspension, but midfielder Liam Polworth remains out along with long-term absentee Kyle Magennis.

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Corrie Ndaba has welcomed Kilmarnock's hectic run of three away games in nine days, insisting: "Bring it on."

Derek McInnes' men, having racked up their first two league wins of the season in their last two outings, are away to Ross County on Saturday before trips to Tynecastle and Dens Park.

Defender Ndaba, who missed the start of the season through injury, said: "You don't really think about it, you almost get in a rhythm of just game, game, game. So bring it on.

"Sometimes it's really good, if you have a good performance, you just want to get back out there and play a game again, you know, get in your rhythm.

"Because there's a lot of breaks as well. We had a good performance and then there's a break. You don't really want to be waiting round, so if the games are coming I'm happy."

Nbada says confidence is high in the Killie squad after dispatching Rangers at Rugby Park.

"It's always good beating a big club like Rangers, they have good players who can hurt us but we played really well and got the job done," the 24-year-old said.

"The mood in the camp is good, we always believe we can put a performance together, training's been good as well, so hopefully we can stay at that level and get the win this weekend."

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Derek McInnes has told his Kilmarnock players to "park" their Rangers heroics and be braced for a battle in Dingwall as they bid to continue their revival.

Killie notched their first home victory of the season in style by edging out Rangers 1-0 last weekend, extending their unbeaten run in all competitions to six games, five in the league.

They hit the road on Saturday to begin a run of three successive away games and McInnes says standards can't drop against a County side who do their best work at home.

"It was a big win for us [against Rangers], the boys came back in with a bounce as you expect," said the Rugby Park boss.

"It was a good performance from us, getting a clean sheet was vitally important.

"It keeps everything going, we've now got to park that and just concentrate on Ross County.

"Ross County have shown this season already they're a good team, particularly at home, and they'll be looking to respond from a tough afternoon for them at Perth.

"You've got to fight your corner, particularly up there, I've been up there over the years with various teams, really strong Aberdeen teams, and we always felt we had to play well to win a game and that's not going to be any different.

"It'll be a tight game, as the nature of this league a lot of the time is. It deserves our full attention and we'll try and continue the unbeaten run which we're pleased with but try and get another win."

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Derek McInnes has been speaking to the media before Kilmarnock's trip to face Ross County this weekend.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• The players "came back in with a bounce" after last weekend's win over Rangers but "we've now got to park that and concentrate".

• Killie now have an "unusual" run of three "very tough" away games that will each bring "their own challenges".

• McInnes is wary of County's strong home form and praises striker Ronan Hale, who has "justified the outlay" the Staggies paid for him.

• He feels there's "not a lot between a lot of the teams" in the Premiership and says Killie have "got to try and find a way of maximising the performance and trying to get all three points" as they eye a third straight win and look to go seven unbeaten.

• Joe Wright is back after suspension. Kyle Magennis and Liam Polworth are out.

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• Ross County are unbeaten in seven Scottish Premiership home games against Kilmarnock (W4 D3) since a 2-1 reverse in March 2017 under Jim McIntyre.

• After their 1-0 win in April last season, Kilmarnock could pick up back-to-back Scottish Premiership victories over Ross County for the first time since March 2017.

• Ross County have won just one of their last 12 league games (D6 L5), losing both of their last two. Only once since the start of last season have the Staggies lost more league matches in a row, suffering four successive defeats in February.

• Kilmarnock have won back-to-back league games, and could win three in a row within a single Scottish Premiership season for the first time since October 2020 under Alex Dyer.

• Marley Watkins has scored in three of his last four league appearances (three goals), with those goals worth four points to Kilmarnock. Only Pape Gueye’s goals for Aberdeen have been worth more to a side in the Scottish Premiership this season (five).

Sandy Armour
Fan writer

It was hoped our incredible comeback at Dundee would act as the catalyst to kickstart our season and judging by the performance against Rangers that may just be the case.

We could easily have been two ahead at the break and although the visitors were more of a threat in the second half Killie always looked comfortable.

It was one of those games where every single player played their part. Corrie Ndaba really looks a class act again and is a player we might get decent money for in the future.

The game did look to be heading for a goalless draw, but David Watson once again introduced some enthusiasm and quality when he came on.

The Prestwick Pirlo provided the assist for the tireless Marley Watkins to grab the all-important goal and suddenly we have climbed to seventh in the table.

The run of tough games continues as we head to Dingwall this Saturday, not a happy hunting ground for us in recent seasons. However, confidence will be sky high and a third win on the trot would take us into the top six.

I hope the manager leaves the defence alone as a central pairing of Robbie Deas and Stuart Findlay with Lewis Mayo beside them is our best option. I predict another narrow victory.

Sandy Armour is editor of The Killie Hippo fanzine

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Marley Watkins insists Kilmarnock are getting back to their durable best after recovering from a "weird" start to the season by racking up back-to-back Premiership wins.

Derek McInnes' men struggled earlier this campaign with Europa League, Conference League and domestic duties as well as red cards in four different games.

But they followed up a 3-2 victory at Dundee by taking Rangers' scalp on Sunday for a first home win of the season, with Watkins netting the only goal late on to send his side up to seventh.

The 34-year-old forward said: "It was a weird, slow start with sending-offs and shooting ourselves in the foot.

"We set standards last season and we have got to make sure we kick on again and strive to do as well.

"I think we've had a reset. I don't think it was as bad as it seemed, but obviously it's great to get two wins in a row. Now we just need to build on it next game and keep it going.

"I think we can beat anyone at Rugby Park. We can beat anyone anywhere, but especially at home.

"We are hard to beat when we're at it and at our best and organised. Hopefully we kick on again."

Watkins' goal came when substitute David Watson's lofted pass sent him racing through on goal where he got the better of defender John Souttar to knock the ball past keeper Jack Butland.

The former Inverness, Norwich and Aberdeen striker said: "Great win. I should have taken the first-half chance and just buzzing for the boys, I got the winning goal.

"I thought we deserved it, we had the better chances, obviously, against a quality team.

"A great ball by Davie, another great impact off the bench, and just buzzing to slot it away."

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Derek McInnes was proud of the mental resilience shown by his Killie side to not settle for a 0-0 draw against Rangers.

Marley Watkins scored the winning goal at Rugby Park on 87 minutes after a superb all-round display, and McInnes says he always fancied his side to take all three points.

"I don’t think any of my players at any point settled for 0-0," the Killie boss said.

"That wouldn’t have been the worst result. Getting a clean sheet and you would take positives from the performance.

“Still, I felt and still hoped it was a bit more on the bone for us. Thankfully, we managed to get that.

“I thought tactically we were good. But more important when you play Rangers and the Celtics, when they come here, it’s that mental part of it.

“I thought the mental strength of the team was good. They always felt there was something, a win there for us. Thankfully, we managed to see that through.”

Watch highlights from Kilmarnock's win over Rangers in the Scottish Premiership.

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Robbie Deas was one of the heroes in the Kilmarnock backline as the home side held firm for a clean sheet to help seal a huge three points against Rangers.

He is a really trusted and solid lieutenant on the field for Derek McInnes and delivered a superb performance on Sunday. Also had the ball in the back of the net but it was rightly ruled out for offside.

Brad Lyons knows a bit about felling Rangers at Rugby Park, having scored the winner against them in a 1-0 win last season. No goal this time round but a buzzing, energetic, hounding performance in midfield.

Killie fans, we asked for your thoughts after Marley Watkin's goal earned your team all three points against Rangers on Sunday.

Here's what you had to say:

Paul: First half I thought we were the better team. We gave up more possession second half but I think we were happy to let them have the ball and try break us down. That is the worst Rangers team I've seen us play in years. We were confident we could take something from the game today and it wasn't a shock to take all three points. A well-deserved first home win.

Stephen: At last, a home win, clean sheet and a full 90-minute performance. The back four were composed, the midfield supported our defence and drove forward when winning possession, and the front two didn’t give the opposition defence a minute's peace. The right subs made at the right time too. Never mind storm Ashley, Rangers couldn't cope with storm Marley. Great win.

Robert: Absolutely superb. We were the better side throughout the whole game and it was as comfortable a game against one of the Old Firm we've ever had. Rangers are a very poor side, we were much better than Rangers despite not being at our best.

Anon: A great team performance, but special mention to Robbie Deas. Whenever called upon, he more than steps up and has contributed massively to some of our best defensive performances under Derek McInnes. We are lucky to have him and he deserves to start more often.

Anna: A hard-fought but well-deserved win for the boys. A good solid defence with Deas and Stuart Findlay in the middle. The midfield caused no end of problems for Rangers. I feel David Watson should have started instead of coming on from the bench. As for Watkins, need I say any more?

Derek: As comfortable a win against either half of the Old Firm as I can remember. Absolutely brilliant to see Brad Lyons and Liam Donnelly winning the midfield battle with a man disadvantage, and with the exception of Jefte-Armstrong it felt like Kilmarnock resoundingly won every individual battle. Phenomenal performance, and hopefully a sign of things to come.

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• Marley Watkins has scored three goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other Kilmarnock player.

• Kilmarnock are undefeated in their last five games in the Premiership, their last longer unbeaten streak was from 2 March 2024 to 27 April 2024, a run of six games.

• Rangers have failed to score in three of their eight games, only St Johnstone (four) and Ross County (four) have failed to score more often in the Premiership this season.

• Kilmarnock have scored in their last five games in the Premiership, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of 15 games from 23 December 2023 to 13 April 2024.

Former Rangers midfielder John Lundstram branded former Ibrox team-mate Robby McCrorie a "muppet" after the goalkeeper celebrated his Kilmarnock side's victory over the Glasgow visitors online on Sunday. (Daily Record), external

Rangers' 1-0 defeat to Kilmarnock means Philippe Clement's side are now ranked as the joint-worst team in the Scottish Premiership for finding the net away from home. (Daily Record), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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Kilmarnock fans will have enjoyed the 1-0 victory over Rangers.

It was a well-organised display full of energy and determination.

Give us your thoughts on the game here.

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"It was good to get back to being resolute and organised," Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes told BBC Scotland. "Our press was terrific throughout.

"We had good strength through the middle. I thought we were the better team in the first half and we reminded the players of that, but we still needed that moment.

"At no time did we settle for 0-0, we thought there was a result there for us. Marley's timing was terrific and he takes his big moment in the game.

"The clean sheet is so pleasing as well."

Colin Moffat
BBC Sport Scotland

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Home form has been a traditional strength for Kilmarnock, but they had five draws and one defeat in all competitions on their own plastic patch coming into this game.

A first league win of the season came in their last outing, an unlikely comeback from 2-0 down at Dens Park, and they looked more like their old selves, getting in the faces of Rangers and getting the ball forward quickly.

Kyle Vassell gave centre-halves John Souttar and Robin Propper a torrid time in the first half, with muscular support from match-winner Marley Watkins.

Matty Kennedy and Danny Armstrong provided good width and energy in attack and defence, tracking back to form a back six, as the full-backs pushed inside to support the centre-halves.

Derek McInnes kept telling us we would see the "real Kilmarnock" after a couple of sluggish displays on the back of European outings and it looks like he was right, with nine points garnered from five unbeaten league outings.

Captain Kyle Vassell led the Kilmarnock line with aggression - and a few lovely touches. John Souttar kept Ronaldo & co at bay for Scotland but struggled to deal with the striker's power.

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Kilmarnock: McCrorie, Mayo, Deas, Findlay, Ndaba, Armstrong, Lyons, Donnelly, Kennedy, Watkins, Vassell.

Substitutes: O'Hara, Burroughs, McKenzie, Watson, Murray, Anderson, Mackay-Steven, Bainbridge, Wales.

Rangers: Butland, Tavernier, Propper, Souttar, Jefte, Barron, Diomande, Cerny, Lawrence, Bajrami, Dessers.

Substitutes: Kelly, Dowell, Kasanwirjo, Balogun, Igamane, Raskin, McCausland, Fraser, McKinnon.