Title Ibrox Bound?

(Photos from SNS & used with permission)

Rangers 4 Kilmarnock 0
(SPL Match No.36 - Ibrox Park, 11th May 2003)

Rangers went back to the top of the table on goal difference by 2 clear goals after today's result.

Kilmarnock were simply blown away by the ceaseless waves of attacks from the home team and the margin of victory could have been far greater but for some errant finishing.

Ronald de Boer missed a sitter with just 15 seconds on the clock.

Mols had made it possible by beating McLaughlin to a header he had no right to win to send Peter Lovenkrands away down the left.

His cross bounced into the box, leaving Shields flat-footed, to give de Boer a clear sight of goal from just seven yards out - but he blazed well over.

Then, in the fifth minute, Mols finished excellently to give his side the lead.

Mikel Arteta was the architect, threading a ball between defenders to find the Mols in the box and he fired across Gordon Marshall and in off the post.

Two minutes later, and Mols was on the scoresheet again.

Marshall had come off his line quickly to get to a through ball ahead of de Boer but his clearance only reached the striker some 25 yards out and his lofted effort sailed towards an unguarded net. (right).

At the other end, Peter Canero came forward to have a go from distance but Klos was behind it all the way.

Marshall saved his side further pain in the 18th minute with a block to stop de Boer, who had latched on to Arteta's ball over the top.

Alan Mahood was booked in the 28th minute for bringing Lorenzo Amoruso down from behind when the defender went on a run upfield.

A minute before half-time, Amoruso almost scored a memorable goal with a near post flick which diverted an Arteta free-kick goalwards but the ball ended up bouncing away off the far post.

There was still time for Barry Ferguson to roll a shot past Marshall and the other post as the missed chance tally grew ever larger.

The second period was four minutes old when Mols diverted a cross from substitute Arveladze just wide of the target. The visitors created their first chance of the afternoon after 58 minutes when Paul Di Giacomo hit the side netting after a fine solo run.

But a minute later Rangers extended their advantage when Arveladze curled a screamer into the top corner of the net from 25 yards.

Mols then passed up two more chances for his hat-trick, with Marshall first saving with his feet then doing well to block at the striker's feet.

Stephe Hughes was next to try his luck and the youngster's 20 yard effort shaved the woodwork on its way over.

Caniggia came off the bench for the final ten minutes and immediately skipped past a few tired challenges to round Marshall and score.

Kilmarnock, had few successes: indeed, only James Fowler merited anything resembling pass marks on this occasion. If any of their remaining players receive appearance money it would be nice to imagine they would have the decency to refund it.

Attend: 49,036

Kilmarnock: Gordon Marshall, Greg Shields, Barry McLaughlin, Frederic Dindeleux, James Fowler, Peter Canero, Steve Fulton (Gary McDonald 71 mins) Alan Mahood, Paul Di Giacomo, Andy McLaren ( Kris Boyd 45 mins) Gary McSwegan (Gary Locke 45 mins)
Subs Not Used: Colin Stewart, & Garry Hay