Killie Vs Rangers, Aug 25th 2007, Rugby park.

Confidence would have been high in the Rangers camp following last week's comprehensive 7-2 thrashing of Falkirk at Ibrox, as demonstrated by Steven Whittaker early on.

His early blistering 25-yard effort today was one which goalkeeper Alan Combe did well to hold.

Kilmarnock decided the old-fashioned method of making life difficult on the pitch sufficed on Saturday on a hurly-burly, winter-like afternoon where the sky around Ayrshire turned as black and grey as the new third strip worn by the visitors.

Certainly, Rangers could not have asked for a more testing 90 minutes to prepare themselves for Europe with Kilmarnock matching them pound for pound in terms of muscle if not in pounds sterling. Having watched Falkirk’s attempts at total football end in total farce the previous week at Ibrox with a resounding 7-2 defeat, Jim Jefferies, the Kilmarnock manager, adjusted his own lineup accordingly.

It was not a day for the subtlety of Allan Johnston but rather an early afternoon for the graft of Gary Locke in a bid to counter a Rangers team that, for all their good football in spells, have more often than not overpowered the opposition this campaign. And it came ever so close to working.

As Aberdeen fail to meet last season’s standards and Heart of Midlothian implode with each passing week, perhaps this could be Kilmarnock’s year to challenge for the title of best-of-the-rest. Long gone is the scowling, hangdog expression that once appeared surgically attached to the face of Jim Jefferies, the Kilmarnock manager. Jovial Jim, as he should now be known, even took defeat with good grace, saying: “We can be proud that we competed so well against them, especially when you consider our team was put together for two balloons and a lucky bag.”

Perhaps he will have something more useful in his transfer kitty this week if Rangers come back in for Steven Naismith, the Kilmarnock striker. Having thrown out various derisory bids so far, the Ibrox team are expected to table one last offer of around £1.5 million for the 20-year-old. On the basis of Saturday, it would be cash well spent even if the Kilmarnock PA announcer cheekily played Simply Red’s Money’s Too Tight (To Mention) at half-time.

It takes a special kind of talent to have all four stands at a stadium cheering your name after winning his now weekly man-of-the-match award from the sponsors, but the little striker did just that.

Naismith almost grabbed the opener with a thunderous drive from the edge of the box which prompted a full-stretch Allan McGregor to tip just over the crossbar.

Had the goalkeeper been less alert, the irony would not have been lost on a Rangers side who have so far failed with four attempts to sign the striker.

Rangers had the best of the chances and David Weir contributed with a header a few yards from goal, having been picked out by Barry Ferguson's cross, but the defender nodded into the grateful arms of Alan Combe.

The Kilmarnock goalkeeper then struggled to deal with a tame shot from Beasley but redeemed himself by smothering before the predatory Boyd could pounce. Then came a superb block to deny Boyd's point-blank shot from crashing into the roof of the net.

Combe's fine form took Killie through to the break.

Whittaker turned just outside the box before unleashing a ferocious drive, but yet again Combe was up to the task.

Cousin was withdrawn at half-time to accommodate the introduction of Darcheville, who immediately put the Kilmarnock defence under pressure.

Kevin Thomson's neat pass found the French striker out on the right and his angled drive smashed into the side netting. But it was Beasley who claimed the opener after 52 minutes.

Ferguson's ball into the box was chased by Beasley, Darcheville and Ryan O'Leary but broke fortuitously to the feet of the United States international who rifled home from six yards.

However, parity was restored just eight minutes later.

Poor defending from Rangers allowed Naismith to break upfield before finding Colin Nish on the left flank. His flicked cross was met by Danny Invincibile (right) who hurriedly fired past McGregor.

Rangers restored their lead with 15 minutes remaining.

An O'Leary challenge on Darcheville prompted demands for a penalty from the Rangers support behind the goal.

Those claims were ignored by referee Dougie McDonald and the ball broke to Beasley.

He delivered into the path of Darcheville who, amid scrappy defending, lashed the ball low into the left corner from 12 yards.

Kilmarnock battled bravely to the final whistle but Rangers held on for the win

Sandy's Match Pic's are HERE