Kilmarnock are yet to win or score in 2023, with a goalless draw at home against St Mirren followed by back-to-back 2-0 defeats against Celtic in two different competitions.
An Ash Taylor own goal gifted the Hoops a routine win in the Premiership on January 7, before strikes either side of half time from Daizen Maeda and Giorgosq Giakoumakis ended Killie’s hopes of reaching their first League Cup final since winning the competition in 2011-12.
Derek McInnes was left furious with refereeing decisions after their semi-final battle with Celtic, but he and his Kilmarnock side must now dust themselves down ahead of another challenging fixture against title-chasing Rangers on Wednesday.
It is fair to say Kilmarnock have preferred playing on home soil so far this season, as they have picked up 18 of their 20 Premiership points at Rugby Park. The East Ayrshire side have also lost only one of their last eight home league matches – including five victories during this run – heading into Wednesday’s fixture.
However, Kilmarnock – who sit just three points above basement club Ross County – have lost six of their last seven meetings against Rangers, including a 2-0 defeat at Ibrox in August in which they failed to register a single shot on target.
For just the second time in 12 years, Rangers have progressed to the Scottish League Cup final after securing a comeback 2-1 victory in extra time against Aberdeen in a thrilling semi-final on Sunday.
Aberdeen were in front for the first hour of the contest courtesy of a 41st-minute strike from Bojan Miovski, but former Dons midfielder Ryan Jack restored parity before Anthony Stewart was sent off in stoppage time.
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Substitute Kemar Roofe ultimately had the last laugh as he came on to net the winner just four minutes into extra time to help Michael Beale’s side set up a final with rivals Celtic on February 26.
Before that Glaswegian showdown at Hampden Park, Rangers have seven fixtures across the Premiership and Scottish Cup to prepare for, including Wednesday’s encounter with Kilmarnock at Rugby Park where they have lost four of their last six visits.
However, Rangers have won 17 of their last 18 Premiership matches against promoted sides, while they have won six and drawn one of their seven games since Beale took the reins last month, so confidence is high heading to East Ayrshire.
