Derek McInnes reckons Kilmarnock were easily able to cope with Rangers’ ‘long ball’ approach at Rugby Park.
It was a hugely underwhelming afternoon for Gers as the whole team struggled to get going against their resolute hosts. But it looked like they would escape with a point, not losing any ground on Celtic but not taking advantage of their dropped points against Aberdeen.
However, it got much worse when Marley Watkins was more determined than any Rangers defender to get on the end of David Watson’s hooked ball forward, and slotted past Jack Butland.
Killie had defended well throughout and stuck to the task during the six minutes of stoppage time to keep a blunt Light Blues attack at bay.
McInnes says Kilmarnock dealt with Rangers’ long ball
Philippe Clement certainly likes his side to play quickly forward and try to attack teams directly.
But the Killie boss has gone as far as branding them “long-ball”, insisting his men were able to cope well with the directness.
Asked if his team had belief throughout, he told Sky Sports: “Yeah. I didn’t really want to take Kyle Vassell off but our substitutes really helped us out last time out at Dundee. We spoke about keeping the energy, it’s difficult to keep the energy on the press for the whole game.
“But we did think the physical presence of Watkins and Vassell was causing problems. But I do think in general terms we dealt with Rangers’ directness, that longer ball. We were physical with that, got to second balls and we were very competitive throughout.”
Kilmarnock could get at Rangers’ high line
The former Ibrox midfielder also knew how his side could get at his old club in an attacking sense, especially as the game wore on.
He insists they were the “far better” team in the first half and while the second was closer, they always sensed they had a chance of snatching it.
That’s because of the high line employed by Rangers, and so it proved with one simple high ball from Watson causing havoc and allowing Watkins to score.
McInnes added: “Well it’s an important three points and equally pleased with the clean sheet, which we’ve been searching for. I thought it was far more a resilient performance than what we normally have.
“We said before the game ‘some games are a bit more difficult to win than others.’ But I think from our point of view we needed to respect Rangers in terms of nullifying their threat and trying to work the press.
“I thought the press was terrific throughout. I thought we were the far better team first half, just looking for the goal.
“Second half was a bit more even and tight but we never settle for a 0-0. We still thought there was that chance. Matty (Kennedy) went through one-one-one and never quite got there.
“But we knew that Rangers squeezing a high line, we could turn them and play on the shoulders and if we timed our runs right we’d get opportunities. And thankfully Marley gets the important goal, which he’s done so often for us.”
