Rangers 2-1 Kilmarnock

Sep 14 2008 Mark Guidi At Ibrox

WALTER SMITH made it clear to the Rangers hierarchy he didn't want Kris Boyd to be sold this summer. Yesterday's win over Killie proved exactly why he wanted to keep him.

Several clubs chased the prolific striker in the close season but the Ibrox boss insisted any interest was to be ignored.

And Boyd repaid Smith's faith by scoring a second-half double to cancel out Frazer Wright's early opener and keep Gers top of the SPL.

The hitman was gutted to be left in the stand for the 4-2 win over Celtic a fortnight ago but bounced back in style by ruthlessly killing off his old team.

Rangers had to fight hard for this win and were made to sweat for the last few minutes after Sasa Papac was sent off.

However, they showed resilience to keep going at Killie and the fightback continued a solid start to the domestic campaign.

Jim Jefferies' side came to Ibrox level with Gers at the top but it was still a shock to see them take the lead in nine minutes.

They won a corner after a lovely Mehdi Taouil ball set Danny Invincibile up for a cross that was deflected behind.

The set-piece was cleared but Garry Hay lofted the ball back into the box. Davie Weir left it for Allan McGregor and the keeper spilled the ball under pressure from Wright, leaving him a tap-in.

Rangers tried to bounce back and DaMarcus Beasley wasted a great chance to equalise in 16 minutes.

Fellow American Maurice Edu put the winger through but he dithered and was robbed of possession when he should have pulled the trigger.

The slick passing and movement that earned Gers a deserved win at Parkhead deserted them here in the first half.

But Smith's men still created a couple of chances while Boyd and Kenny Miller linked well up front.

The strike duo combined in 35 minutes and Boyd's shot from close range was kept out by a stunning Alan Combe save. For all their possession Rangers never cut Killie open - with Steven Davis and Pedro Mendes below their usual high standards.

Smith knew his side needed to do better after the interval and made a change at half-time.

Beasley was hooked and fans' favourite Nacho Novo came on to freshen up the attack.

And the move paid off in style as the Spaniard got Gers back into the game by winning a penalty after 57 minutes.

Italian Manuel Pascali fouled Novo in the box and referee Calum Murray had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Boyd grabbed the ball and confidently drilled the penalty low past Combe with his right foot.

The goal brought Ibrox to life and Gers pushed forward in search of a second goal. It arrived in 62 minutes when Boyd pounced again to fire his side in front.

Davis rolled the ball into the striker's feet and he used his upper body and backside to hold off Simon Ford before turning to give himself an angle to shoot.

Boyd rattled in a strike from 14 yards and it flew past Combe with the aid of a slight deflection.

Killie refused to buckle though and Hay had the chance to grab an equaliser soon after.

But the ball fell to his weaker right foot and he couldn't get enough power on it from 12 yards to test McGregor.

Miller then made a clever run into the box and his effort was superbly saved by Combe.

Rangers had another chance to kill the game off in 82 minutes when they had a five-on-two break but the Killie keeper did well again to save from Charlie Adam.

Combe was outstanding and he hadn't conceded a goal in the league until yesterday's clash.

So it's baffling why he isn't in the Scotland squad.

Pascali has been a stand-out for Killie since his summer move from Italy and did well again yesterday.

However, he was rash in the tackle for the penalty.

Further up the pitch Taouil's first touch and willingness to hold up the ball helped take the sting out of the game when the heat was on.

But there's no doubt Gers deserved this victory.

They have a look about them that suggests they are capable of going all the way this season.

The partnership of Boyd and Miller may well be key to that. Just as Smith thought it would be.

REF WATCH

CALUM MURRAY got the big decisions right but denied Rangers a few free-kicks and that rightly upset the home dugout. The whistler turned in a decent performance but there is still definite room for improvement. Rating: 6/10.

Shorts on 12

Shorts off 2

Fouls 17

Offside 1

Corners 10

Bookings 4

Shorts on 5

Shorts off 1

Fouls 13

Offside 1

Corners 2

Bookings 2