The Ibrox side started strongly and Lee McCulloch threatened with a
header before Darcheville opened the scoring after just four minutes.
A long ball from goalkeeper Allan McGregor was flicked on by Kris
Boyd and the burly French striker raced through to drill the ball beyond
goalkeeper Alan Combe from the edge of the penalty area.
Steven Naismith, who followed Boyd from Rugby Park to Ibrox in the
summer, then squandered a great chance to increase the misery for his
old club when he sent an angled shot wide from 10 yards.
Darcheville had to limp off after 33 minutes and Rangers lost their
way in attack for the rest of the half.
The game grew increasingly scrappy and Boyd, inside the six yard box,
was guilty of a fresh air swipe at a ball dropping from on high.
Killie were working hard to close down their opponents but rarely
managed to trouble the home defence.
Colin Nish, on as a first half substitute, was sent clear by Mehdi
Taouil's smart pass but the striker's first touch was poor and his lack
of pace was exposed as he lumbered forward and made a mess of his shot
from 18 yards.
The visitors were a little more adventurous at the start of the
second half but Rangers doubled their advantage on 55 minutes.
Whittaker, playing in an unaccustomed left-back role, strode forward
with purpose and lashed home a terrific strike from 20 yards. Naismith
tried to emulate his team-mate's impressive effort soon after but
dragged his shot wide from similar range.
Combe spilled a low shot from Charlie Adam and Boyd snaffled up the
loose ball to round the keeper, only to be denied a goal by the
linesman's flag.
Kilmarnock were wilting in the face of increased pressure and home
fans were howling for a penalty when Tim Clancy barged into Whittaker.
Grant Murray then upended Naismith and Adam appeared to be manhandled
when shaping to shoot, but again referee Alan Freeland was unmoved.
Kilmarnock had the ball in the net thanks to David Fernandez's
looping head flick but the clumsy Nish had clattered into Allan McGregor
when it looked as if the goalkeeper may have been struggling to stop it.
Sandy's Match Pic's are
HERE
