rangers 2
kilmarnock 0
Scorers: Andrews (10), Novo (82)
Alex McLeish and Rangers are gradually emerging from their trough. That's five wins on the trot now for the Ibrox club, perhaps against opponents
neither glamorous nor arduous, but wins are all that McLeish can deliver in the circumstances. The fact is, he has stood tall during a horrendous personal chapter.
A month ago, the Rangers manager looked in purgatory, having been ejected from the Champions League, beaten by Celtic, and having won just two of Rangers' first seven games. Today, surely no-one around Ibrox would say McLeish is out of trouble, yet as responses go, he and his players could hardly have done more.
''It's another great three points,'' said McLeish, a man who is looking more chipper with every passing day. He chose to rest a number of key players against Kilmarnock, among them Chris Burke and Dado Prso, the latter only appearing as a late substitute. McLeish confirmed that Craig Moore, who has a groin problem, is due to see a specialist, which could result in surgery.
The Rangers manager could also comfort himself over plans by his chairman, David Murray, to solve the club's financial
disasters, which will be unveiled at an annual meeting this Thursday. However, McLeish responded coolly last night to weekend speculation about a further (pounds) 10m being pumped into the club by a well-meaning supporter.
''I've heard the whispers but I take all these things with a pinch of salt - I'll believe it when I see it,'' said McLeish, sounding a mite cynical. ''I don't think it's wise to speculate on funds which I'm not sure will be there.''
Alas, prepare yourself for some further theological baloney from Marvin Andrews, Rangers' God-fearing defender, who poked his side into the lead yesterday, and who is never reserved about placing the credit for such things with the Almighty. When Andrews appeared last night to speak about his goal, it was time to look out the ear-muffs.
Upon scoring the opener in the 10th minute, Andrews immediately pointed to the sky and, presumably, to the creator-supreme for his shot from seven yards. ''I thanked God because he is responsible for everything that happens in this life,'' said Andrews. ''I pray to him before games and during games because he is holy and I give him the praise.''
In fact, this much-derided signing of McLeish was a
constant goal-threat yesterday, launching himself at various missiles as Rangers shelled
Kilmarnock's area. It was by far the most impressive Andrews performance since he came to Rangers, so much so that, if it doesn't sound about as unlikely as a passing comet, he won the man of the match award.
Asked whether, in fact, he should be working on a Sunday in the first place, given the biblical injunction about resting and the Sabbath, Andrews suddenly revealed himself to have a slightly liberal theological bent about him.
''People have different views on this but I don't think God is against me because I work a Sunday,'' he said. ''The Bible says 'know that the Sabbath is holy' and that is the most important thing. It's just the way the SPL fixtures work out. I'll be going to church tonight.''
On the basis of this match, there is no great surprise about Kilmarnock's sudden elevation up the Bank of Scotland Premierleague. Jim Jefferies' team produced some nice moments of design, especially around Allan Johnston, a former Rangers player who scarcely was noticed by the Ibrox legions upon his return. If that seemed faintly damning of Johnston's contribution during those mellow days of Dick Advocaat, he has certainly lost none of his trickery or technique.
Johnston played at the heart of an interesting and attack-minded Kilmarnock system, with himself on the left of a four-man midfield, and Danny Invincible on the right, with both players committed to supporting Kris Boyd in attack. Just when we thought Boyd, last week's five-goal hero against Dundee United, had done a disappearing act, the striker licked a low shot which cannoned off Stefan Klos' right post after 77 minutes.
McLeish had made four changes to his side from the sapping UEFA Cup drama against Maritimo - Andrews, Stephen Hughes, Gregory
Vignal and Peter Lovenkrands all played from the start - but there was only ever going to be one star of this show.
It is always a cherished, if infrequent, joy to see Big Marv stepping forth for Rangers. A strong, resolute and lovable character, whom McLeish, frankly, knows to be a bit of a bombscare at times, Andrews nonetheless leaps heavenwards and gets in his headers.
Yesterday, despite that shank of a shot in the dying seconds against CSKA Moscow, Andrews also showed that he is no slouch in the opposition penalty box.
The Trinidad and Tobago defender lumbered forward after 10 minutes to join the melee for Fernando Ricksen's corner and got his reward. Ricksen's cross arrived at the feet of Hughes, whose shot was lunged at by Andrews and re-routed past Alan Combe from seven yards. It was the start of a memorable and impressive afternoon for the evangelical Christian.
If only the Lord could reach down and touch others. There are those at Ibrox who would love to see the enigmatic Lovenkrands rekindle the form which used to trigger some of those preposterous tabloid tales about the wisecracking Dane being all set to decant to Milan and Internazionale. Many a chuckle was prompted by that story, yet his decline has been shocking to witness.
McLeish obviously felt this match was suitable for some Lovenkrands rehabilitation and the Dane certainly had his moments. At one point,
after streaking past a succession of Kilmarnock defenders, he whipped a right-foot shot just wide of Combe's left post. Later on, Lovenkrands took possession, turned inside and, from 20 yards, screwed a left-foot effort just wide. So there seems hope yet for the winger.
Nacho Novo wrapped up this victory for Rangers nine minutes from time by claiming a simple second. Vignal's long free-kick was flicked on by Prso, leaving Novo haring through on Combe. The tiny striker's venomous shot flew into the net from 15 yards.
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