SCOTTISH CUP: Rangers boss Mark Warburton left frustrated following draw with Kilmarnock

Rangers manager Mark Warburton was left to reflect on what might have been after his side drew 0-0 with Kilmarock at Ibrox in the last 16 of the Scottish Cup.
By The Newsroom
Published 7th Feb 2016, 16:38 BST
Updated 17th Feb 2016, 06:10 BST
Rangers' Dominic Ball goes close during the William Hill Scottish Cup, Fifth Round match at the Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow. Picture: PARangers' Dominic Ball goes close during the William Hill Scottish Cup, Fifth Round match at the Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow. Picture: PA
Rangers' Dominic Ball goes close during the William Hill Scottish Cup, Fifth Round match at the Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow. Picture: PA

For the first time in the Warburton era Rangers failed to find the net meaning that they now face a replay at Rugby Park on Tuesday, August 16.

Few would disagree however that the Ibrox men should have won at the first time of asking. In the second-half in particular Rangers enjoyed the vast bulk of possession and pressure only to squander a number of chances and be denied on several occasions by Jamie McDonald, a goalkeeper who has numerous outstanding performances against Rangers on his CV.

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“It was frustrating not to get the rewards our possession deserved,” said Warburton after the game.

“We were dominant and created chance after chance, although we were a little bit lacking in the final third. I thought we showed how good we can be today against a very good team.

“Their goalkeeper made a couple of good saves and there were some good chances that we didn’t convert.

“However we were a little bit slow out the blocks in the first-half. If you look at the second half I thought we were very good but we just didn’t get the final reward. We just lacked that final touch in the box to finish it off.”

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Unsurprisingly with the lack of goals Warburton singled out the performance of his back four, Dominic Ball and Barrie McKay for praise.

He continued: “Our two centre-halves were strong. Dom was excellent in front of the back four and the full-backs maintained a good shape. Barrie McKay was excellent.”

Arguablly the best chance of the ninety minutes fell to Martyn Waghorn in the closing stages only for the striker’s first touch to let him down.

The Ibrox Boss however backed his player to bounce back.

“Martyn’s in there holding his head – but he’s been excellent all season and will be again,” said Warburton.

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There was an acknowledgement of his counterpart in the visitors’ dugout - who is certainly no stranger to the Rangers’ faithful.

“We knew Lee McCulloch would have been very keen coming back to Ibrox having had a fantastic career.”

Warburton was comfortable with the prospect of a trip to Ayrshire for the replay, adding: “We didn’t get the job done at Ibrox - but hopefully we can prepare well and we are looking forward to it.”

Related topics:Mark WarburtonIbroxMartyn Waghorn