Rangers return to summit of SPL

Rangers boss Walter Smith was pleased with the 3-0 win over Kilmarnock that saw his side return to the top of the Scottish Premier League, all the goals coming in the first half.

Strikes from Kris Boyd, Kenny Miller and Steven Whittaker within the opening 35 minutes sealed a comfortable victory.

With the must-win game against the Germans looming, Smith admits Rangers eased in the second half.

Smith said: "I think that's a natural thing, especially after scoring three goals and creating a number of opportunities in the first half.

"There was always likely to be a little bit of a drop in level in the second half and there certainly was that today."

He added: "We have built up a bit of momentum now and hopefully we can keep that going."

Kilmarnock boss Jim Jefferies said: "We started the game really well but you have to defend well and, after 10 minutes, we went to pieces and the defence was shocking.

"Young Ryan O'Leary had a torrid time in the first half and I thought about taking him off. But, credit to him, after taking a bit of a roasting at half-time, he stuck to his task better than he did in the first half.

"I don't think we have had as much possession at Ibrox, or worked the goalkeeper as much, but we can't defend the defence in the first half. We could have lost one or two more."