Rangers welcome Kilmarnock to Ibrox on Sunday in good spirits after qualifying from the group stages of the UEFA Cup on Thursday.
They are still fifteen points behind leaders Celtic however so must put the UEFA Cup progress to the back of their minds and concentrate on the task of clawing back those fifteen points.
Kilmarnock will be determined to succeed here though as they want to keep the pressure on the teams above them in the race for European places. They currently sit three points behind Aberdeen and Rangers, they are on the same points as the other teams above them, Hibernian and Hearts but their goal difference leaves a lot to be desired.
In the past few seasons, clashes between the two sides at Ibrox have been one sided, but Kilmarnock aren’t without success here. In the 2000/2001 season, Kilmarnock humbled their hosts by three goals to nil.
They also had two victorys in back to back seasons in 1996/1997 and 1997/1998, but that apart, Rangers have had it all their own way at Ibrox and lets hope it remains that way and Hibernian can score a victory over Celtic, it will still twelve points of a gap but it’s a start.
Rangers Team News:
Rangers will have to do without Steven Smith for the first time this season after the youngster picked up a back injury in the clash with Auxerre on Thursday.
Nacho Novo, a hero on Thursday with Rangers’ first goal is doubtful with a leg knock and will face a late fitness test.
Meanwhile, Sasa Papac could be brought back into the team after missing out on Thursday due to being cup tied. He could cover in the left back position with Steven Smith being out.
Player to watch: Kris Boyd
Rangers hero on Thursday night, his goal guaranteed European football after christmas. Now he will be determined to score more against his old club.
Kilmarnock Team News:
Kilmarnock are still coming to terms with the loss of David Fernandez who will be out for the rest of the season with knee ligaments damage.
However, they could have striker Gary Wales back for the first time in a month after he underwent knee surgery.
Colin Nish is suspended for this game.
Player to watch: Steven Naismith
Steven Naismith is a wanted man and it’s only a matter of when not if he will leave Rugby Park for a bigger club. Rangers are one of the teams who are keen on the youngster and this could be his chance to impress the watching Paul le Guen.
Match Facts & Stats
LAST THREE SEASONS RESULTS AT IBROX BETWEEN THE TWO
2005/06
Rangers 3 Kilmarnock 0 (Sat 17 Sep 2005)
Rangers 4 Kilmarnock 0 (Sat 11 Mar 2006)
2004/05
Rangers 2 Kilmarnock 0 (Sun 3 Oct 2004)
Rangers 2 Kilmarnock 1 (Sat 26 Feb 2005)
2003/04
Rangers 4 Kilmarnock 0 (Sat 9 Aug 2003)
Rangers 2 Kilmarnock 0 (Wed 11 Feb 2004)
RANGERS RECORD vs KILMARNOCK @ IBROX
Played 97
Won 78
Drawn 11
Lost 8
Goals For 285
Against 74
Ref Watch:
Kenny Clark
Match Prediction:
Rangers 2 Kilmarnock 0
Next Fixtures:
Rangers Next 3 SPL Fixtures
Sun 3 Dec – Falkirk (a) LIVE on Setanta
Sat 9 Dec – Hibernian (h)
Sun 17 Dec – Celtic (h) LIVE on Setanta