Kilmarnock 1 vs. Rangers 2 Aug. 25 2007

DARCHEVILLE, IN FOR THE KILL


There are times in football where you walk away as a supporter happy with the fact that, despite the past 90 minutes, your team has won. They did that today, for without playing their best football, Rangers managed to apply enough pressure to come up with a winning goal that was provided by our super sub of the day, Mr Jean Claude Darcheville.
After the midweek internationals, Rangers made just two changes to the squad that won so convincingly against Falkirk. McCulloch, the victim of illness, was given time to recover fully for Tuesday by Beasley, while Boyd came in for Nacho Novo. For all of Beasley, and supposedly Cousins, pace the first half seemed completely starved of it though as we tried to use the physical presence of Boyd and Cousin to link and hold up play. This suited Killie down to the ground as they dealt easily with the highball tactics.
The game changed for the better in the second half as Cousin limped off and JCD took to the field. His directness, strength and pace changed the team completely and it wasn’t long before the chances were coming. Beasley fired home the first before fluffing a corner and watching the resulting break away end in a Killie goal which left the stage open for the second half sub, Darcheville, to step up to the mark and fire home the winner and increase his days “hero” status.
As alluded to earlier though, the fight and battle saw us through today as opposed to the silky fluent football but whatever way it was played, the three points and winning streak continue on.



Today’s team: -

McGregor: - Most of his work was provided from distance as he had to pull off a couple of very good saves to keep the scores level. He couldn’t be blamed for the goal though as he was left very isolated by the speed of the Killie breaks.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Hutton: - Was kept on the back foot a lot and we never saw the trade mark forward thrusts. The game was crying out for the width he could provide as well since everything was going very narrow.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Cuellar: - Not his best day at the office but even then, he wasn’t bad. The clean sheets have disappeared over the last couple of games and with a huge game on the way on Tuesday, we could do with him re-finding that formula.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Weir: - He covered in well for Cuellar today. The big man was been out of the limelight since his partner arrived on the scene, but proved he still has the concentration and experience to match the Spaniard.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Papac: - Was given a bit of a torrid time down the left, especially by Naismith, as he was left exposed on more than one occasion. Pulled it together better in the second half where he was even seen in the Killie penalty area!
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Whitaker: - Another good performance by the new man. It wasn’t so much wide play today as he was tucked in a bit to try and pick up the pieces that came from Boyd and Cousin. He was never afraid to have a crack at goal though and his shots to shots on target ratio must be about 100%
Rmed Verdict: - 8

Bazza: - Was in and out of the game a fair bit, as he was generally looking sky word as the ball soared over his head. Found a bit more joy in the second half as we started to play a bit more footie.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Thommo: - Always the battler and was never afraid to put himself about. With the rumours of a departing Hemdani, he has a bit more expectation on him now to provide that defensive midfield role.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Beasley: - I must admit to being frustrated at him after 45 minutes and was looking for an early second half switch to Novo, but thank god it didn’t happen as he started putting himself about more and seemed to like the faster pace that JCD injected. Rounded off his afternoon with a very well taken goal.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Cousin: - He showed some very nice touches and an ability to hold the ball up and bring others into the game. He didn’t look to have the turn of pace that I initially thought, but had the technique to offset against it. Shame to see him hobble of at half time.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Boyd: - I thought he tried hard today and never got much change out of the Killie back four. He won most highballs but his overall link up play wasn’t great. Again, he seemed to like playing better with JCD and it’s a balance that Walter has still to find.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

JCD (On for Cousin): - I’m told that he still isn’t 100% fit. Well god help the rest of the SPL when he is. Game changing display from the Frenchman today and I’m thrilled he got the goal to cap it off.
Rmed Verdict: - 8 (MOTM His kind of power running will scare any defender!)

Novo (On for Beasley): - Time wasting exercise only by Walter.
Rmed Verdict: - 3

Smith: - Another game and another victory will keep Smith reasonably pleased but it was done without the swagger of last weekend. I thought we lacked something in the first half and his, not intentional, inclusion of JCD for the second won the three points.
Rmed Verdict: - 6


This game, although important for us and the surge towards the SPL title, will now diminish into insignificance as the lads board their plane for Belgrade and a game that will prove vitally important to us as a club. Best of luck to Walter and the boys on Tuesday.


WATP

Baz.