Rangers new head coach Danny Rohl takes charge of his first Scottish Premiership match tomorrow as Kilmarnock make the short journey north to Ibrox.
Rangers are without a win in four matches since Max Aarons’ last-minute winner away to Livingston in Russell Martin’s penultimate league match in charge, before being dismissed following a draw with Falkirk the following weekend.
Since then, Rangers have drawn with Dundee United under U19's coach Stevie Smith and lost in Rohls debut away to Brann in the UEFA Europa League in a performance described by captain James Tavernier as “disgraceful.”
Heading into the match Kilmarnock actually sit above the Gers in the table, sitting on ten points after eight games whilst Rangers only have nine. Killie were defeated 3-0 by league leaders Hearts last weekend, after a well earnt victory away to St Mirren the week before.
Looking ahead to the match Inside Ibrox spoke to Laurie Finlayson of The Killie View Podcast who gave us his perspective on his sides trip to Ibrox.
Speaking firstly on Kilmarnock’s start to the campaign, Laurie admitted that Killie have enjoyed a better opening run than many expected.
He said: “We have started surprisingly strongly this season with a late defeat to Celtic and a humbling loss to Hearts are the only real low points.”
A key factor behind their solid early form has been the influence of new manager Stuart Kettlewell, whose tactical approach has already reshaped the team’s identity.
“Kettlewell likes to set up in a 3-5-2, which is a far cry from Killie sides of the past under Derek McInnes, where we were married to a 4-4-2 a lot of the time,” he continued.
In terms of threats Rangers will need to nullify, Laurie pointed to two players in particular who have flourished under the new system.
“David Watson has been given much more freedom and responsibility this season – he’ll cover every blade of grass and likes to pop up with a goal, too, I just hope Killie can somehow keep a hold of him.
“Also, watch out for Marcus Dackers – the 6ft7 striker might not be the best in the air considering his height, but he could still unsettle an edgy Rangers defence.”
When asked whether Kilmarnock have improved since last season, he highlighted the impact of fresh ideas both on and off the pitch and told us: “The biggest change is the style of play.
“After a while, McInnes’ football grew stale, so some freshness, both in terms of style and personnel, hasn’t gone amiss.”
As for the feeling within the away support ahead of the trip to Ibrox, there is belief – but it comes with a sense of realism.
Laurie said: “There’s cautious optimism. Killie have quite a long injury list but made two short-term signings this week, so there may be a little bit of doubt amongst the optimism.
“However, Killie fans, as ever, will travel in their numbers.”
Finally, we asked whether Ibrox still carries the same fear factor for visiting teams after Rangers recent form, which sees the Ibrox side still without a league win at home this campaign.
On this Laurie said: “To me, Ibrox will always have a reputation as a fortress. But I have never, as a Kilmarnock fan, felt so at ease about a game away there.
“Whether ‘new manager bounce’ kicks in remains to be seen but a reaction from Thursday is inevitable, and the home fans play a part in that, for sure.”
Rangers enter the match under pressure to deliver both a response and a result for their new head coach.
For Kettlewell’s side, it’s an opportunity to test their early-season credentials against a side in transition. For Rohl, it already feels like a moment where performance may matter almost as much as points.
Tomorrow, we find out which side handles that pressure best as the top two of Hearts and Celtic face off, this is Rangers last chance to show they can catch the league leaders.