Steven Gerrard outlines 'missing' element of Rangers' performance against Kilmarnock as title triumph comes clearly into view

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard saw his team move closer to the title with another victory by his favourite scoreline but has urged his players to rediscover a missing piece of their optimum performance level in the closing months of the season.

Rangers manager Steven Gerraerd making a point during his team's 1-0 win over Kilmarnock at Ibrox. (Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group)

Ryan Jack scored the only goal of the game against Kilmarnock at Ibrox as Gerrard’s team moved 21 points clear of Celtic at the top of the Premiership table. They now need a maximum of just 13 more points from their remaining nine fixtures to become champions.

It is the third 1-0 win Rangers have recorded in their last four league games and they passed up several good chances to make it a more comfortable afternoon.

“The only thing you could say if you are being ultra-critical today - and I shouldn’t be, because I love 1-0 wins - is that we never made it easier for ourselves by being a bit more ruthless,” said Gerrard.

“In terms of the performance, I thought it merited a bigger win because we created some really good chances, especially in the second half, to go and get the second and the third goal.

“That last little bit of our play was missing so we need to keep trying to improve in that area. But there was certainly a reaction to our performance in the 1-1 draw at Hamilton last week.

“We came off ourselves last week in terms of our identity but we bounced back today with another strong win even though the scoreline doesn’t suggest that.

“Allan McGregor has been relatively quiet and Kilmarnock have caused us few problems over the 90 minutes.”

Rangers now switch their attention to the Europa League where they face Royal Antwerp in Belgium on Thursday night in the first leg of their last 32 tie.

“It’s a really good tie for us. It will be tough but we are ready,” said Gerrard. “We’ll welcome Kemar Roofe and Alfredo Morelos back into the group which is a lot more healthy than it was a few weeks back.

“We’ve got options to pick from. It will be a nice break away from the league and we will give everything we have got to try and set it up for the second leg.”

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