Rangers -2 Kilmarnock - 0: A goal from Nacho Novo in the 82nd minute killed off stubborn Kilmarnock and allowed Rangers to rack up their fifth straight victory. as Rangers spent most of the afternoon failing to capitalise on Marvin Andrews' early breakthrough.
Kilmarnock almost made them pay and were denied an equaliser only by a post when Kris Boyd fired past Stefan Klos.
It was significant therefore that lumbering centre back Andrews, who rarely gets a start, was the best performer for his side at either end.
With so many tired legs following Rangers' penalty shoot-out victory in the UEFA Cup against Maritimo on Thursday, it was no surprise manager Alex McLeish, whose job may well have been saved by that victory, chose to rest players. With Craig Moore still absent, Zura Khizanishvili, Dado Prso, Paolo Vanoli and Chris Burke were all told to have a rest. Vignal, Andrews, Stephen Hughes and Peter Lovenkrands were the men who came in.
Lovenkrands had the ball in the net within two minutes of his return, converting a fine first time pass from Steven Thompson, but an instantly-raised flag meant it was never going to count.
Thompson and Novo both came close before Andrews stuck out a leg to divert a Stephen Hughes ball over the line and give his side a 10th-minute lead.
RANGERS: Klos, Ross, Andrews, Boumsong, Vignal, Ricksen, Malcolm, Hughes, Lovenkrands, Thompson (Prso 79), Novo (Arveladze 83). Subs Not Used: Graeme Smith, McLean, Kalenga, Davidson, McCormack. Goals: Andrews 10, Novo 82.
KILMARNOCK: Combe, Fowler, Lilley, Dindeleux, Leven, Invincibile, Locke, McDonald, Johnston, Boyd, Dargo (Nish 78). Subs Not Used: Smith, Greer, Dillon, Murray, Dodds, Canning. Booked: Boyd, Fowler, Locke.
Referee: I Brines
