Whittaker and Miller score as Gers restore big title gap

Steven Whittaker’s impressive scoring form continued as Rangers restored their 13-point advantage at the top of the SPL with a 2-0 win at Kilmarnock last night.

The Ibrox full back netted his 11th goal of the season before Kenny Miller doubled the advantage for the Scottish champions at Rugby Park.

Allan McGregor was tested by a shot from distance from Mehdi Taouil but the long-range effort failed to trouble the Rangers goalkeeper.

Lee McCulloch – who netted a double against Saints on Saturday – tried his luck from 30 yards but his goalscoring touch escaped him on this occasion and he rifled well over the target.

Rangers had another chance when Miller released Kris Boyd who bore down on goal before attempting to lob Bell but the striker, who has inflicted so much misery on his former team in the past, saw his shot dip just over the crossbar.

Killie almost surged into the lead when McGregor fumbled a cross from the left from Iain Flannigan and the ball fell for Taouil but he rifled against the prostrate body of the goalkeeper and one of the best chances of the game was lost.

Steven Davis then tried to pick out Beasley at the back post but Jamie Hamill made a timely intervention to prevent the champions grabbing the advantage just before the interval.

Only some last-gasp defending prevented Killie from falling behind shortly after the restart when McCulloch flicked into the path of Boyd and his shot looked netbound only for Hamill to hook off the line to safety.

The breakthrough came with 55 minutes gone. Tim Clancy attempted to nod a Sasa Papac cross clear only for the ball to fall for Whittaker to drill into the bottom corner from a tight angle.

Rangers doubled their advantage just six minutes later when Bell blocked from Davis only for Miller to pounce on the rebound and lash high into the net from close range.

Boyd squandered the opportunity to add his own name to the scoresheet when he collected from Miller in plenty of space only to balloon well over the crossbar to the jeers of the home crowd. Whittaker then did just enough to prevent Chris Maguire from unleashing a shot and hauling the home side back into the game before McGregor was able to gather.

Boyd continued to push forward in search of a goal but only managed to ripple the side-netting.

The prolific Boyd then saw another effort smothered by Bell as Rangers claimed all three points.