Kilmarnock had arrived in Glasgow with just goal difference keeping
them behind Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premier League table.
Rangers had already suffered a blow before kick off when Kevin Thomson
failed a late fitness test, meaning Maurice Edu was handed his debut in
midfield.
And the USA international hardly had time to settle into the game when
he found his new club a goal behind.
McGregor has not recaptured the form of last season since his return
from injury and was badly at fault.
The goalkeeper allowed Garry Hay's lob into the box to bounce and was
then beaten in the air by Fraser Wright, (right) who turned to sweep the loose ball into
the net from three yards out.
DaMarcus Beasley, returning to the Rangers side in place of Charlie
Adam, missed an opportunity for a quick-fire reply, delaying his shot
before being well tackled by Hay.
Boyd had been restored to the starting line-up in place of Daniel
Cousin, who has since been transferred to Hull City, but last season's top
scorer could not get on the end of a low Kenny Miller cross into the box.
Killie's Gavin Skelton sliced well over after Madjid Bougherra failed
to clear properly in front of his own goal.
The Kilmarnock defence, with Simon Ford returning from injury to
partner Wright, had been coping well until they were somewhat fortunate to
survive a Rangers flurry.
Kenny Miller found Boyd 12 yards out following a mazy run, but Alan
Combe somehow managed to deflect the striker's low drive over the
crossbar.
And, from the corner, the goalkeeper beat away a powerful Kirk
Broadfoot header.
Rangers pressed for an equaliser, but Kilmarnock looked comfortable as
the half-time whistle blew with the Ayrshire side still ahed.
Beasley, who had looked tentative during the first half, was replaced
with Nacho Novo as Rangers looked more menacing as the second half began.
Boyd claimed for a penalty as Wright showed his strength by holding off
the striker inside the box.
But the spot kick eventually came when Pascali wrestled Novo to the
ground and Boyd fired the ball low past his former club's goalkeeper.
Rangers took heart from that and Boyd turned neatly inside the box and
his low drive was deflected past Combe.
The Kilmarnock keeper pulled off excellent saves to deny long-range
efforts from Adam and Novo.
But Rangers endured a nervous end to the game, with Danny Invincibile
missing a couple of chances and Papac twice clearing in front of his own
goal.
Papac was dismissed after collecting a second yellow card for a foul on
Donovan Simmonds with a minute to go.
But, despite some sustained Killie pressure, the Ibrox side managed to
hold on for the win that allowed them to put three points between
themselves and their nearest challengers.
Sandy's Match Pic's are
HERE
