By David Herd
2024 began today at Ibrox Stadium, on a date that will forever be one of remembering the past, and honouring those who attended our stadium and never came home. At exactly 1:30pm, the club directors attended the annual memorial for the fallen at the Disaster Statue, with The Greatest Ranger not in attendance this year under his statue. John Bennett and Alistair Johnston read out the names of the 66 who perished in 1971 before the rain-drenched spectators observed a poignant two minutes of silence. Wreaths had been laid by both Rangers and Kilmarnock, who were represented by their 1997 Scottish Cup-winning captain Raymond Montgomerie.
There was still the on-pitch tribute to come, with the 49,250 crowd impeccably observing 60 seconds of silence before kick-off. The past had cast its shadow, but there was a football match to be won in the present.
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Rangers made two changes for the visit of Kilmarnock, a side who inflicted defeat on Michael Beale’s Rangers on the opening day and began his descent towards the title of ex-manager. In central defence, John Souttar replaced Leon Balogun, who was suspended after his red card in the Derby defeat at the weekend. The other alteration saw recent midfield success Dujon Sterling replaced by the more attacking Kieran Dowell, undoubtedly a nod towards the expected defensive line-up of the visitors. On the bench beside Sterling was new loan signing Fabio Silva, a welcome sight given the squad’s lack of attacking options in recent times. There was also a return for Nico Raskin, who had been out since the win over Hearts at Ibrox in the early weeks of Philippe Clement’s reign.
Derek McInnes made four alterations to his team after their weekend draw with Dundee, with Corrie Ndaba, Rory McKenzie, Liam Donnelly and Liam Polworth all being promoted from the bench. Regardless of the personnel, most inside the stadium knew what to expect from the visitors, and they didn’t disappoint with a solid and organised defence, a hardworking midfield, and looking to both break up play when they could and hit on the break if the chance arose.
The first noteworthy incident of the match took place off the pitch, when the Union Bears voiced their opinions of the officiating and the cover-up at the weekend, with a loud rendition of the short but effective chant of F*** The SFA. Meanwhile, the team started with positive intent, with Yilmaz in particular looking impressive in raids down the left hand side. But clear chances were few, numerous god crossing positions seeing the resolute Kilmarnock defence getting in a clearance or a block. The first effort on goal saw Cyriel Dessers shoot inches wide after a quick swivel and shot from sixteen yards.
Killie were growing into the game, although they were forced into a change in seventeen minutes when Liam Donnelly limped off to be replaced by David Watson. By then, they had enjoyed their first goal attempt, a Vassell shot that went well over after he had appeared to foul Cantwell to gain possession. The Rangers playmaker was incensed at referee Beaton, earning himself a yellow card for dissent. There had also been another contentious incident, when Goldson appeared to have been fouled at a corner, but if there was a VAR check it was done quickly and quietly without informing the fans.
The expected frustration was starting to grow, and the groans from the stands were loudest in 28 minutes when Vassell was sent clean through on goal. Derek McInnes was waiting to celebrate, but he was foiled when Jack Butland made a Goramesque block with his feet to win the one-on-one battle. It felt like a pivotal moment. Killie had two more players cautioned, one for timewasting at a throw in, before the game swung in Rangers’ favour.
In 41 minutes, Cantwell and Yilmaz did well to win possession and the ball was moved on to Dessers just inside the Killie half and wide on the left. He sent an inch-perfect thirty yard pass to release Ross McAusland through on goal, and unlike Vassell he never looked like missing. The ball was sent past Dennis with minimum fuss into the bottom corner, and Rangers were in front.
That was good, two minutes later it was even better. A high Tavernier ball was controlled by Sima, who flicked it over his marker before stretching to volley a sensational goal and double the lead. McInnes looked shellshocked, his plan had unravelled in the space of a couple of devastating minutes.
The second half started with Kilmarnock getting forward more, and in the 55th minute another green-tinted conspiracy theory bit the dust. An Armstrong cross hit Souttar on the arm as he tried to block, and after a VAR intervention the spot kick was awarded. The first penalty against Rangers in a league game since January 2022 meant millions of Twitter accounts hastily deleting the anti-Rangers nonsense they had prepared for the day. Armstrong scored and it was game on again.
It took just four minutes for Rangers to ease any nerves. Sima showed instant control before releasing Yilmaz down the left. His low centre was met by the inrushing Todd Cantwell and he found the net from six yards. The match was won, the deficit at the top reduced in the present, albeit briefly with Celtic still to kick off their match. Thought then moved to the future.
First, the Ibrox crowd got their first look at new loan signing Fabio Silva when he replaced Dessers with twenty minutes to play. Sterling also came on, and he showed some lovely skill a few minutes later with a Messi-like pirouette in midfield. Silva’s first shot at goal as a Rangers player came near the end, but he blasted over. There was more good future news seconds later when midfielder Nico Raskin made his awaited comeback from injury, his first appearance since a 2-1 win over Hearts early in the Clement reign. These two are young players with high reputations, and another one in Ross McAusland enjoyed another impressive display, with a goal and some exciting forward runs. He also defended well when asked and ran Man of the Match Yilmaz close for the honour.
In his press conference, the manager focussed most on the future, but first gave a nod to the past eleven weeks. He spoke of his pride at how his team have grown, and of the potential he feels that there is in the group. Although not fond of singling players out, he did give particular praise to Yilmaz for his “best match since I arrived”. He also heaped compliments on young McAusland who has gone from Academy player to a first team regular with his first winner’s medal.
The manager then looked forward, saying his players will be allowed to now briefly relax before the upcoming Training Camp, but he will not have time to relax as he will be watching players with a view to doing some transfer business in January. To maybe temper expectations, he did say “don’t expect ten new players”! Any new players will be playing alongside Nico Raskin, who the manager “rewarded” with a few minutes on his comeback after working hard to get back to fitness.
There was one last question on the future when John Lundstram then spoke to the media. Would he be signing a new contract? The guarded answer was that he would “love to stay” but it was between him and the club on how discussions were progressing.
It was a day that will always be dominated by the darkest day in club history. But after an encouraging performance with three excellent goals, it was also a day when the future continues to look brighter with this manager in charge. He won’t stop in his efforts to build a winning team. The disappointment of Saturday will hopefully be just a bump in a road that ends in triumph.