Live text – Scottish Premier League

SPL leaders Rangers take on Kilmarnock at Rugby Park in the lunchtime kick-off.1350:

From David Goodwillie for Scotland On My Sport:

“Rangers AND Celtic are always the two teams that get decisions their way. If anybody says otherwise then tough luck.”1349: Sasa Papac whips in a decent cross, but substitute Kenny Miller can’t get his header on target.1348: Rangers manager Walter Smith shuffles his pack with Kenny Miller and Kevin Thomson coming on for Kris Boyd and Nacho Novo.1345: Kilmarnock midfielder Jamie Hammill sees his shot come back off the post. Rangers break up the park immediately and Killie goalkeeper Mark Brown is forced into a smart save to palm away John Fleck’s effort. We’ve got a game now…1344: Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies barks some instructions to his players – he isn’t a happy camper. Ten minutes into the second half and we’re still goalless. Looks as though Kevin Thomson is about to come on for Rangers.1342: What a chance for Kilmarnock! Lee McCulloch heads Conor Sammon’s cross away from the hands of Allan McGregor and Danny Invincibile’s header is blocked. The ball rebounds to the Australian, but he blazes wildly over the bar. A howler!1341: The Kilmarnock supporters roar their team forward and you get the feeling the Rangers defence are in for a busy 45 minutes.1338:

Kris Boyd is booked for a challenge on Tim Clancy and the Kilmarnock defender trudges off with a suspected dislocated elbow.1337: Danny Invincibile’s cross fails to find a Kilmarnock team-mate, but Rangers centre-half Lee McCulloch slips as he attempts a clearance. The ball could’ve gone anywhere, but the visitors clear.1335: The second half gets under way. 1332:

From Hardtofigure On My Sport:

“Yet another attempt by biased official to help Celtic to the title. seems they have got together and decided that making us play second half with 10 men will stop us winning.”1329: BBC Scotland’s Chick Young has just told BBC Radio Scotland’s Sportsound that the English Premier League 2 proposal – which would include both Old Firm clubs – is being mooted once again by Bolton chairman Phil Gartside.1327: Rangers managed to secure a draw at Fir Park last week after Madjid Bougherra’s dismissal against Motherwell. Can they do the same again today? The game certainly needed livening up, and Mendes’s red card did just that.1324:

From Big_Borucs_Back On My Sport:

“Stupid challenge by Mendes when he’s already on a yellow card. Third red card for rangers in five SPL games, discipline is really poor and then Walter Smith shows them up by complaining when it was clearly a yellow card offence. Trouble at Ibrox?”1319: “Walter Smith was clearly infuriated by the red card. His assistants Ally McCoist and Kenny McDowall were asking the referee Steve Conroy for an explanation as they made their way down the tunnel.” BBC Radio Scotland’s Alasdair Lamont, trackside at Rugby Park.1318: HALF-TIME Kilmarnock 0-0 Rangers

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By Thomas McGuigan

1419: But once again Killie fail to profit from a set-piece and Rangers clear.< /CPS:EVENT> 1418: Kilmarnock striker Kevin Kyle feeds Mehdi Taouil and, after a bewildering number of step-overs, the substitute forces a corner.1415: Five minutes remaining and Jamie Hammill sends a high ball into the Rangers box… but David Weir heads clear. Are we going to see the first goalless encounter between these two sides at Rugby Park in 62 games?1413:

From memnoch666 On My Sport:

“Finally some consistency but the ref has lost control of this game. His terrible use of his card and decision-making has ruined this game as a spectacle.”1412: Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor blocks Conor Sammon’s shot and Kilmarnock force a corner, but the visitors clear the danger.1411:

Rangers sub Jerome Rothen receives a yellow card after committing three fouls within about 45 seconds.1408:

Manuel Pascali is given his marching orders for a second bookable offence. This time it’s for a tug on Steven Davis’s jersey. It’s 10 v 10 now.1407: Kevin Kyle is shown the yellow card for a foul in the box. The game is getting scrappy again. Twelve minutes left at Rugby Park.1405:

Rangers defender David Weir goes into the referee’s book for a foul on Mehdi Taouil.1401: Rangers winger Jerome Rothen comes on for Steven Naismith. A little under 20 minutes for either side to find a winner. Kilmarnock striker Kevin Kyle has been unable to get into the game in this second half and he urges his team forward.1355: Kilmarnock are failing to make their numerical advantage count, and 10-man Rangers look the more likely side at the moment. The introduction of Miller and Thomson appears to have galvanised the visitors. 1353: Rangers striker Steven Naismith throws his arms in the air in despair after a lunging challenge by Craig Bryson. Referee Steve Conroy waves play on.1352: “The game is now wide open – it’s been a difficult one for the referee.” BBC Radio Scotland commentator David Begg1350:

From David Goodwillie for Scotland On My Sport:

“Rangers AND Celtic are always the two teams that get decisions their way. If anybody says otherwise then tough luck.”1349: Sasa Papac whips in a decent cross, but substitute Kenny Miller can’t get his header on target.1348: Rangers manager Walter Smith shuffles his pack with Kenny Miller and Kevin Thomson coming on for Kris Boyd and Nacho Novo.1345: Kilmarnock midfielder Jamie Hammill sees his shot come back off the post. Rangers break up the park immediately and Killie goalkeeper Mark Brown is forced into a smart save to palm away John Fleck’s effort. We’ve got a game now…1344: Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies barks some instructions to his players – he isn’t a happy camper. Ten minutes into the second half and we’re still goalless. Looks as though Kevin Thomson is about to come on for Rangers.1342: What a chance for Kilmarnock! Lee McCulloch heads Conor Sammon’s cross away from the hands of Allan McGregor and Danny Invincibile’s header is blocked. The ball rebounds to the Australian, but he blazes wildly over the bar. A howler!1341: The Kilmarnock supporters roar their team forward and you get the feeling the Rangers defence are in for a busy 45 minutes.1338:

Kris Boyd is booked for a challenge on Tim Clancy and the Kilmarnock defender trudges off with a suspected dislocated elbow.1337: Danny Invincibile’s cross fails to find a Kilmarnock team-mate, but Rangers centre-half Lee McCulloch slips as he attempts a clearance. The ball could’ve gone anywhere, but the visitors clear.1335: The second half gets under way. 1332:

From Hardtofigure On My Sport:

“Yet another attempt by biased official to help Celtic to the title. seems they have got together and decided that making us play second half with 10 men will stop us winning.”1329: BBC Scotland’s Chick Young has just told BBC Radio Scotland’s Sportsound that the English Premier League 2 proposal – which would include both Old Firm clubs – is being mooted once again by Bolton chairman Phil Gartside.1327: Rangers managed to secure a draw at Fir Park last week after Madjid Bougherra’s dismissal against Motherwell. Can they do the same again today? The game certainly needed livening up, and Mendes’s red card did just that.1324:

From Big_Borucs_Back On My Sport:

“Stupid challenge by Mendes when he’s already on a yellow card. Third red card for rangers in five SPL games, discipline is really poor and then Walter Smith shows them up by complaining when it was clearly a yellow card offence. Trouble at Ibrox?”1319: “Walter Smith was clearly infuriated by the red card. His assistants Ally McCoist and Kenny McDowall were asking the referee Steve Conroy for an explanation as they made their way down the tunnel.” BBC Radio Scotland’s Alasdair Lamont, trackside at Rugby Park.1318: HALF-TIME Kilmarnock 0-0 Rangers1316: Walter Smith is involved in a heated exchange in the stand before taking a seat beside Rangers coach Ian Durrant. The atmosphere is beginning to crackle at Rugby Park.1314: Rangers manager Walter Smith, raging at Mendes’s red card, is sent to the stands by referee Steve Conroy for taking his protests too far.1313:

Rangers midfielder Pedro Mendes is sent off for a second bookable offence, for chopping down Craig Bryson. 1312: Naismith pops up on the left-hand side this time – he seems to be everywhere at the moment – but concedes a foul, much to the consternation of the Rangers fans behind the goal.1311: Rangers striker Steven Naismith bursts into the box against his former club, but can’t get a shot away.1308: Just over six minutes until half-time and Pedro Mendes has a chance to send a free-kick into the Kilmarnock penalty area, but the delivery is poor. Sums up a fairly turgid first half, to be honest!1307:

Manuel Pascali is shown the yellow card for a tug on Nacho Novo. The visitors are warming to the task now, but have yet to show a cutting edge in the final third.1303: Rangers earn a free-kick 35 yards out. John Fleck fires it in, but it fizzles out and the pace of the match slows down a bit with just over half an hour played. 1301:Pedro Mendes fires a shot from 18 yards out by it drifts five yards wide of the post. He doesn’t look like he’s got his shooting boots on today. 1259: “Kilmarnock have got it spot on so far, keeping the back four occupied and keeping them busy at the back. It’s all going to plan for them so far.” BBC Scotland pundit Billy Dodds at Rugby Park.1254: “I think it was two players going at each other, but it wasn’t a flying elbow. I don’t think there was anything in it.” BBC Scotland’s Billy Dodds on Kris Boyd’s challenge on Frazer Wright.1251: Steven Whittaker plays a neat one-two with Nacho Novo, but the defender’s run is halted by three Kilmarnock players.1250: “Kilmarnock are second to the ball. They weren’t getting up in the game last week, but they’re trying this week and getting into it. Rangers are trying to make sure they don’t have a spare man in midfield.” BBC Scotland pundit Billy Dodds1248: The game is crying out for a player to put their foot on the ball and show a bit of class – precious little in the way of creativity on show at Rugby Park, as we approach the 20-minute mark.1246:

Rangers midfielder Pedro Mendes is booked for chopping down the galloping Craig Bryson. 1244: Apologies for the delay ladies and gentlemen. A few technical problems there, which have hopefully been ironed out. A Conor Sammon header for Kilmarnock is the closest we’ve come to any significant goalmouth action.1233: A fairly low-key start to the game with neither keeper called into action.1231: Rangers fans will be happy David Weir passed a late fitness test. The 39-year-old has been at his imperious best so far this season. And with Madjid Bougherra suspended, he’ll aim to be a calming influence on Lee McCulloch.1230: Both managers exchange a few words in the dugouts and we’re under way.1228: Kevin Kyle leads out Kilmarnock at Rugby Park. The striker returns to the fold after injury and Jim Jefferies will be hoping his skipper can give the Rangers defence to think about.1227: Another stat for you to chew over with your lunch: Killie and Rangers have played 61 games at Rugby Park since the last goalless draw between the sides.1224: Kilmarnock are looking to stop the rot, following three consecutive league defeats. But their record against Rangers at Rugby Park isn’t the best. You have to go back to 7 May, 1994 for the last Killie win. Tony Di Bart was number one in the charts with The Real Thing, when Tom Black fired the winner against Rangers.1220:

From Boogie Bear On My Sport:

“Another tricky away game for the Gers. Dundee United and Aberdeen should win. Hamilton to win again? Another shock for Hibs or will they recover?”Kilmarnock: Mark Brown, Clancy, O’Leary, Wright, Old, Pascali, Hamill, Bryson, Invincibile, Sammon, Kyle. Subs: Bell, Taouil, Skelton, Owens, Flannigan, Fernandez, Kelly. Rangers: McGregor, Whittaker, Papac, Weir, McCulloch, Mendes,Naismith, Davis, Fleck, Novo, Boyd. Subs: Alexander, Thomson, Rothen, Miller, Smith, Little, Wilson. 1213: Rangers make four changes. David Weir, Nacho Novo, John Fleck and Kris Boyd return to the starting line-up at the expense of the suspended Madjid Bougherra and benched trio Kevin Thomson, Jerome Rothen and Kenny Miller.1210: TEAM NEWS Five changes for Kilmarnock with Steven Old, Ryan O’Leary, Manuel Pascali, Danny Invincibile and Kevin Kyle coming in. Garry Hay, Simon Ford, Gavin Skelton, Mehdi Taouil and David Fernandez all drop out. 1205: Good afternoon, and welcome to another day of SPL action. Today’s lunchtime offering sees SPL leaders Rangers take on Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

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