Derek McInnes admits rusty Rangers ‘got the job done’ against Kilmarnock

Rangers manager Derek McInnes praised his players for “digging deep” to move top of the league as he blamed the extended international break for some “disjointed” play in a 3-1 win over Kilmarnock.

Rangers went into the break three up at Ibrox after Ryan Naderi twice headed home either side of a Kevin Kelsy strike.

But Killie had chances throughout, especially after the interval, before finally getting their reward when substitute Nicky Clescenco netted on a last-minute counter-attack.

The visitors ended the game with six efforts on target to Rangers’ four but home goalkeeper Ivor Pandur was only seriously troubled once before being beaten.

Rangers moved a point ahead of William Hill Premiership champions Celtic, who face Motherwell on Sunday, thanks to a sixth consecutive league win.

McInnes, who started with eight of the 13 players who had been away on international duty, said: “The fact we went top of the league, we shouldn’t lose sight of that. There’s a lot of positives, but the performance was disjointed at times.

“I was really pleased with how clinical we were in the first half. We put the ball in the box, we scored goals, we just didn’t do it enough for whatever reason.

“But we have to be honest, for long spells we looked like a team that hadn’t been together for the last three weeks.

“We spoke about it at half-time, about the need to stay on top of the game.

“Maybe a combination of not putting enough freshness into the team… I was reluctant to change it too much. I already had to change Dujan (Sterling) at half-time, he was feeling a bit under the weather. He’s had a wee bit of tonsillitis.

“I felt that the second half was far from where we needed to be.

“There’s a bit of understanding for me where the players have been. This break’s been far too long.

“Whoever came up with this idea, it’s such a long time for your players to be away. We pay their wages, we look after our players, and for them to be away for nearly three weeks is too long.

“But we’ve got the job done, and credit the players for digging deep and getting three points.”

Killie boss Neil McCann was frustrated with how the game went in both boxes.

“I am really frustrated, a wee bit angry as well,” he said. “We gifted Rangers the 3-0.

“I have a problem with the second goal, I think there was a handball involved in that. I do not even understand the handball (rules) any more.

“Even at 2-0 we had two gilt-edged opportunities and we don’t hit the target.

“There were a few words said at half-time. I don’t want to walk out of Ibrox with a pat on the back saying ‘you won the second half’. It means nothing.

“The disappointment and frustration comes from how good they were in the second half. We created four, five chances in the second half alone. We could have probably taken something from the game.”