Kilmarnock 2-1 Rangers: Jermain Defoe scores on debut but Steven Gerrard's side lose

Jordan Jones, who is set to join Rangers in the summer, nets winner

Thursday 24 January 2019 08:33, UK

A debut goal from Jermain Defoe was not enough for Rangers as they lost 2-1 to Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday.

It took Defoe just 12 minutes to open his Rangers account, but it was a mostly frustrating night for the former England frontman.

The 36-year-old did not even have much time to saviour his strike as a Joe Worrall blunder handed Eamonn Brophy the equaliser eight minutes later.

Jordan Jones, who is set to join Rangers in the summer after signing a pre-contract earlier this month, then struck the winner in the 66th minute.

Having worked so hard to draw level with Celtic before the winter break, Steven Gerrard's side now drop back to third, with Kilmarnock in second, a point behind the leaders.

The Rangers faithful have been licking their lips in anticipation ever since the news broke of Defoe's arrival on loan from Bournemouth - and it did not take him long to get the travelling supporters off their seats.

Killie goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann spilled an Andy Halliday drive but was up quickly to block James Tavernier before another follow-up from Ryan Kent was kicked off the line by Stuart Findlay.

The ball appeared to deflect off Steven Davis' hand but Defoe did not hang about for a whistle and tapped home for the perfect start to his Rangers career.

Bachman was booked for remonstrating over Davis' part in the goal but Defoe lapped up his moment as he ended a 298-day drought stretching back to Bournemouth's 2-2 draw with Watford last March.

Alfredo Morelos has had no such trouble finding the net of late but he saw a header from Kent's corner come back off the left post eight minutes later.

And from coming within an inch of being 2-0 up, Rangers suddenly found themselves pegged back after Worrall was caught dawdling as he tried to bring the ball out from the back.

He took his eye off the ball and Brophy needed no second invitation as he stole possession before racing away to beat Allan McGregor with a cool finish.

Morelos, frustrated by his lack of first-half involvement, used his hands to punch a Tavernier cross into the net three minutes after the restart but was not fooling referee Don Robertson, who flashed yellow at the Colombian.

And just as Gerrard's team looked to be regaining their composure, another calamitous mistake cost them the points.

Ryan Kent fired the ball straight to Jones in the 66th minute and the Northern Ireland international drove 40 yards upfield before firing a low strike from 25 yards past McGregor.

With his future manager watching on gloomily, the winger darted straight for current boss Clarke to thank him for his recent support.

Jones had angered the Killie fanbase with an ill-thought tweet when announcing his Rangers move but there was only cheers for the match-winner as he was replaced in stoppage time.