RANGERS fans thanked Lee McCulloch for the memories he gave them during a glorious eight-year career yesterday but there will be little gratitude coming his way in years to come when they try to remember this match. In his first, and maybe also his last, outing as Kilmarnock caretaker manager, McCulloch deployed his resources effectively enough to prevent his former paymasters from scoring for the first time this season. Both these sides retain an interest in the William Hill Scottish Cup ahead of tomorrow's quarter-final draw and the replay at Rugby Park on Tuesday, February 16.
If it all means an answer is delayed on the question which has intrigued the Scottish football public ever since a 3-1 defeat to a Michael O'Halloran-inspired St Johnstone in September, it should be pointed out that the Rugby Park side, currently the second worst team in the Premiership, ended this match grimly hanging on for dear life, following the late dismissal of substitute Kallum Higginbotham for a dangerous challenge on James Tavernier. The Ibrox side racked up their fourth clean sheet in a row, hit the post and the bar, while the normally foot-sure Martyn Waghorn miscontrolled a Barrie McKay pass which would have presented him with a glaring opportunity late on.
But this was a moral victory for Kilmarnock, one week on from the resignation of Gary Locke. They had travelled up the M77 with McCulloch reluctantly in charge, despite speculation that the likes of Billy Davies, Ally McCoist or even former Huddersfield manager Lee Clark could be his permanent successor. McCulloch, greeted with a banner in the Broomloan Road end which read "Thanks for the Memories, Super Lee McCulloch" , made five changes from the side which went down 1-0 to Hamilton, with places for new signings Gary Dicker and Lee Hodson, while Kris Boyd would remain an unused sub throughout. With O'Halloran and on-loan Hearts winger Billy King both cup tied, Mark Warburton named an unchanged team from the one which won 1-0 in Kirkcaldy in midweek.
That wasn't the only banner in the home areas yesterday. A group of fans gathered outside the on-site superstore to protest about Sports Direct's continued involvement in the club, unfurling a banner from the Govan Stand which read #SportsDirectShame. While they made their point, it's appearance also prompted an impromptu chant of "There's only one Mike Ashley" from the visiting fans.
While that was all going on, these two sides were involving themselves in an absorbing contest. Killie, who have already drawn twice against Celtic this season, employed time-honoured counter-attacking tactics against Rangers, putting Greg Kiltie on Dominic Ball at the base of the Ibrox midfield, and using the pace of Tope Obadeyi, Rory McKenzie and Josh Magennis to exploit their defence. They made a strong start, with Kiltie's cross headed narrowly wide by the Northern Irish striker Magennis, and Obadeyi stinging the palms of Foderingham from distance.
Rangers were largely being kept at arms' length, although a great decoy run from Kenny Miller and perfect pass from Barrie McKay presented Lee Wallace with a shooting chance which Jamie MacDonald beat away. Tavernier rattled a post with a great strike from 22 yards and a couple of penalty shouts came and went, but it was Killie who almost opened the scoring as half time approached. Craig Slater danced past a challenge in the box and his close range finish was netbound till it flicked off Foderingham's shoulder and flew over.
Wheelchair tennis star Gordon Reid paraded his Australian Open singles trophy at half time, his second visit to Ibrox of the season, and then we were back into it, with Killie defending diligently as Rangers probed for the breakthrough. Andy Halliday attempted to take matters into his own hands, flashing in a low left foot drive which MacDonald had to touch wide.
With Kilmarnock failing to retain possession, the second half belonged to Rangers in every way apart from the scoresheet. Substitute Harry Forrester, scorer of a penalty in the colours of Brentford in a 2-2 draw against Chelsea, tugged a shot wide then Tavernier flashed a free-kick wide from an identical position to the one where he scored against Hibs earlier in the season.
Rob Kiernan was forced to leave the action with a calf injury, and Mark Warburton's response was a positive change. On came Nicky Law, Andy Halliday moved to the base of the midfield, and Rangers almost got their goal. Danny Wilson's header from a corner hit the frame of the goal, and Waghorn could only find the sidenetting with the rebound.
Danny Wilson ventured up from the back to fire a right-foot shot narrowly wide, then some magic from McKay put one on a plate for Waghorn, only for him to uncharacteristically miscontrol in front of goal.
It was grim defence now from the visitors, a task made more difficult by the last-minute straight red card given to Kallum Higginbotham for a stamp on Tavernier. The Englishman caught his opponent on the thigh with his studs, but the ten men stood resolute for the last frantic few minutes and earned an ovation from the travelling support. There was even time for a few choruses of 'Paper Roses' before they headed back to Ayrshire.
Rangers 0 Kilmarnock 0
Rangers (4-1-2-3): Foderingham; Tavernier, Kiernan (Law 74), Wilson, Wallace; Ball; Halliday, Zelalem (Holt 61); Waghorn, Miller (Forrester 61), McKay.
Subs not used: Bell, Clark, Shiels, Thompson
Kilmarnock (4-4-1-1): McDonald; Hodson, Balatoni, FIndlay, Smith; McKenzie, Slater, Dicker (O'Hara 65), Obadeyi (Higginbotham 73); Kiltie; Magennis.
Subs not used: Brennan, Ashcroft, Hamill, Frizzell, Boyd
Referee: B Madden
Booked: Rangers: Holt 68. Kilmarnock: Smith 29, Slater 72
Sent off: Higginbotham 89
Attendance: 33,581
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