Derek McInnes applauds Kilmarnock's mental strength after late winner over Rangers

Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes was delighted with his players’ performance and attitude as they struck late to inflict a 1-0 defeat on Rangers.

Marley Watkins took his chance to score an 87th minute winner against Philippe Clement’s side and earn his team a valuable three points at Rugby Park.

McInnes put the victory down to “lads all doing their job well and carrying a threat”, with the manager revealing that he still believed his team could grab a winner as the clock ticked down on a stalemate.

“It looked as if it was maybe going to go 0-0 but I didn’t want to shake hands on that,” he said. “I felt there was maybe an opportunity for us to win it. You’re just waiting for a moment.

“We tried to make subs that would help us keep the energy and keep playing on the shoulder. Rangers play with that high press and give up the space behind them and we were just hoping for that one big moment.

“Thankfully Marley’s turned that one point that we had into three.”

Rangers struggled to create clear-cut chances throughout and Kilmarnock handled what was thrown at them, while taking every opportunity to press forward themselves, and McInnes felt that his players showed the right mentality going up against a side that travelled with expectation.

“There were no real scares and I felt quite comfortable throughout the game, then felt great once that goal goes in,” he said. It’s good to get all three points.

“I thought tactically we were good. But more important when you play Rangers and the Celtics, when they come here, it’s that mental part of it.

“I thought the mental strength of the team was good. They always felt there was something, a win there for us. Thankfully, we managed to see that through.”

The late winner came after Kilmarnock had turned things around in their previous Premiership match, turning a likely 2-0 defeat into a 3-2 win in the closing minutes against Dundee at Dens Park.

Asked what late goals showed about a team, McInnes said: “It illustrates fitness. It illustrates strength of squad.

“It also illustrates a lot of time and real determination. I don’t think any of my players at any point settled for 0-0. That wouldn’t have been the worst result. Getting a clean sheet and you would take positives from the performance.

“But I still felt and still hoped it was a bit more on the bone for us. Thankfully, we managed to get that.”