All the teams in the Premiership played their 31st games of the league season this midweek, and the Wednesday results certainly suggested there wasn’t much happening.
Kilmarnock 0 – 0 Rangers
In truth, it feels like there’s little to say about this one. We had loads of corners and set pieces, and created a couple of good chances from them, but there wasn’t much else going on at all, and we now find ourselves 12 points behind Aberdeen in second with only 7 games to go.
I think a lot of fans may find themselves worried by the performance, not only because we seemed rather insipid going forward, but because we also didn’t seem to have much by way of a cohesive plan. Maybe a bit more analysis would give lie to that, but in the second half especially there were very few signs of us being able to do anything different.
Our debutants done ok – Bates started very nervously but grew into it as the game went on. I felt Beerman was very good on the ball but pretty poor defensively, especially when it came to attacking a ball. Both players can’t be judged on one night, especially in a game as flat as that one.
Kilmarnock sat in for the most part and made it difficult, and the only player who really created anything from open play was Waghorn. Both him and Garner missed great chances in either half, and it’s arguable we should have won (definitely should have had a penalty), but we didn’t deserve a reward for that performance if we’re honest. I felt we missed Toral quite a bit – too many panicked on the ball in defence and midfield due to lack of options, and he’s very comfortable on the ball and always showing for it.
Elsewhere in the league, Celtic and Partick played out a 1-1 draw, Motherwell and Hamilton drew 0-0 which does little for either of them, and St Johnstone beat Hearts 1-0. I wouldn’t be surprised if Cathro is out of a job very soon.
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So we go into Sunday a mile behind Aberdeen, facing a side who have won their last 10 home games, with injury concerns in our defence. I don’t think we can judge too much from tonight given the situation, but a quick improvement is definitely required. Aberdeen will be really up for the game, sensing we’re there for the taking. They do play in a direct, quick style that can overrun you for spells of a game if you’re not able to match that intensity.
On the Saturday, Celtic have Kilmarnock at home, with the away side needing a win to get closer to Partick Thistle in 6th. Hamilton face Ross County in a big game at the foot of the league, and bottom side Inverness host St Johnstone badly in need of a win. Thistle will be hoping to get the win against Motherwell which would guarantee 6th place, whilst Hearts host Dundee in a “who really cares?” match.
I’ve made the mistake of sticking on the Real Madrid game after watching the Rangers game. It’s like watching a different sport…