Rangers lead Kilmarnock at break

Kilmarnock 0, Rangers 1 (half-time)

Rangers’ hopes of hitting the Scottish Premier League title race running were boosted by a first-half opener at Kilmarnock.

Striker Shota Arveladze was the man who supplied it on the half hour mark with a close-range header after poor marking from the home defence.

Rangers then opened the scoring from their next corner, which was awarded even though it appeared Lovenkrands had got the last touch.

Arteta floated the ball in and after Freddie Dindeleux headed it away only, Lovenkrands’ overhead kick was poorly cleared and De Boer was first to the loose ball.

His header found Arveladze unmarked in front of goal, and the Georgian had little trouble nodding past the exposed Marshall.

Killie retorted with a rising McSwegan drive that went only just over but there was soon danger at the other end when the flag stayed down and it needed a Jesus Sanjuan-Sean Hessey combination to deny Lovenkrands in the box.

Dindeleux needlessly conceded another corner but Marshall was able to catch McCann’s delivery.

Mahood then caught Ricksen late but again escaped that second booking.

Sweeper Sanjuan did well to intercept as de Boer tried to put Arveladze in with a short pass into the box.

Then Ferguson forced Marshall into a spectacular save with a drive from 25 yards as Rangers finished the half the stronger.

De Boer headed over from close range but the whistle had already gone for a foul by Craig Moore.