Rangers’ mini tour of Scotland ended in another defeat as they went down 1-0 at Kilmarnock. In a game supposedly dominated by Rangers, they failed to find the net despite numerous chances and this will surely be a worry to Dowie with just one friendly game to go. In better news there was the sight of Kaspars Gorkss in an R’s shirt as the most protracted transfer in the history of the game draws to a close. 

Dowie made the odd change from the team that surrendered meekly at Falkirk on Saturday and surprisingly named just six subs, hopefully the squad hasn’t been ravaged by injuries at this early stage. Cerny was in goal behind Ramage, Hall, Stewart and Delaney. Ainsworth, Mahon, Leigertwood and Ledesma were in midfield with Balanta and Agyemang up top. Gorkss was amongst the subs after Blackpool gave him permission to play ahead of his alleged signing on Wednesday. 

The man with the name like a superhero, Danny Invincible, saw an early shot blocked by Ainsworth before Ledesma sent Agyemang away at the other end only for the striker to see his shot blocked by keeper Rascle. Balanta then saw an effort turned wide by the keeper and from the resulting corner the French keeper turned a fierce Hall effort over the top. 

Ledesma then cracked one wide before Cerny was called into action to hold a strike from Bryson. Ainsworth then missed a chance one on one with the keeper before Killie took the lead when Rangers were undone at a corner for the second game in a row and Manuel Pascali headed home. 

Agyemang, Balanta and Ledesma missed further chances as the half wore on. Half time saw Hall withdrawn and Gorkss make his R’s bow. Cerny made a low save to deny Sammon before Ledesma whipped a free kick through the box without anyone getting the killer touch. 

Late in the game Balanta headed wide and Delaney fired over from distance as the R’s continued to press for an equaliser. The final whistle brought the Scottish adventure to a close and the fans will certainly be disappointed to have seen the team go down twice. No doubt the fact that Wolves scored three against Kilmarnock on Saturday will be used as some sort of yardstick to determine that we aren’t good enough.

Rangers’ big issue last season wasn’t the scoring of goals but keeping them out. The goalkeeping and defensive departments have undoubtedly been strengthened and the players will certainly be a lot fitter than they were under De Canio so the barrage of last minute and injury time goals should reduce significantly.

The concern for most will be the fact that the report indicates that this was a game Rangers dominated and they weren’t able to tuck one away. People have been clamouring for that fabled twenty goal a season man all summer and this will do nothing to stop that. People have been asked to pay more and for that they will want to see more and achieve more. The problem is that the board seem unwilling; maybe correctly, to start hurling money about as it isn’t good business.

That said; there are still ten days to go before the big kick off and thirty three to go before the transfer window closes. Dowie has said he is looking for two or three more to bolster the squad and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the cheque book takes a little flex in the direction of a proven Championship hitman before August has run its course. Here’s hoping!

QPR: Cerny, Ramage, Hall (Gorkss 46), Stewart, Delaney, Ainsworth (Alberti 78), Mahon (Walton 76), Leigertwood (Bolder 62), Ledesma (Rose 82), Balanta, Agyemang

Subs not used: Camp

simon@qprnet.com