Lafferty hails 'massive' Rangers win

The Scottish champions scraped the result thanks to a late own-goal from Tim Clancy, after El-Hadji Diouf's opener was cancelled out by Jamie Hamill from the penalty spot.

The victory allowed Rangers to move to within two points of SPL leaders Celtic, with a game in hand.

Lafferty said: "We knew it would be a tough game. Kilmarnock are a very good side and they've played a lot of good football this season. The win brings us closer to Celtic so it's a massive result for us."

Clancy claimed he was fouled in the box by Lafferty in the final moments but the forward added: "Well of course he's going to say that, isn't he?

"But I didn't touch him. I don't think he touched the ball. It's up to the referee to call it and he didn't and we went on to win the game."

Celtic's Scottish Cup quarter-final at Inverness, postponed yesterday due to a waterlogged pitch, will now take place on Wednesday. That means their SPL game against Hibs, set to take place that night, will be rescheduled, denying the Hoops the opportunity to restore their five-point lead this midweek.

But Lafferty said: "We are not really worried about what Celtic do.

"We have to concentrate on Rangers but hopefully we can win our games in hand and get back to the top of the table."

Lafferty has missed recent games with tonsillitis and looks likely to have his tonsils removed at the end of the season but says he is okay to play on until then.

He said: "I feel fine. I'm staying on top of it with antibiotics from the doctor and hopefully I don't have a relapse.

"I just felt really tired. It took a lot out of me and when the season is over I'll be getting them out probably but I will have to wait and see what the doctor says."

Kilmarnock boss Mixu Paatelainen said: "I'm disappointed for the players because I thought our performance was good. We were well-organised and we passed the ball well."