Rangers left it late to secure a 2-1 win over Kilmarnock at Ibrox yesterday to move two points behind Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premier League.

The home side took the lead in the 38th minute when El-Hadji Diouf fired home his first league goal.

However, Kilmarnock were level on the hour mark when they were awarded a controversial penalty for a high-footed challenge by Richard Foster on Tim Glancy that Jamie Hamill converted.

With time running out substitute Vladimir Weiss came to the rescue for Rangers when his cross was knocked into his own net by Glancy when Killie were temporarily down to ten men as Mohammadou Sissoko was off receiving treatment.

Taking advantage of Celtic’s involvement in the Scottish Cup the win means Walter Smith’s side could go top if they win their game in hand over the Hoops.

The Rangers manager was happy to claim the win.

“I thought it would be a difficult 90 minutes for us after a European match,” Smith said.

“We weren’t as sharp as we have been in some of our other games and Kilmarnock this season have been dangerous opponents for everyone so from our point of view we are delighted to win the game.”

Mixu Paatelainen said he was disappointed for his players.

“I thought the performance was good, organised and I thought we passed the ball well especially the midfield area which I felt we dominated,” the Killie manager said.

“Rangers were a little bit fortunate to win this game but good teams are fortunate.”

Rangers broke the deadlock in the 38th minute. After a surging run forward Steven Whittaker picked out Diouf in the box and the on-loan Blackburn man fired an angled shot past Anssi Jaakkola from wide right for his first goal at Ibrox.

Killie found themselves level after they were awarded a penalty on the hour mark when Foster was penalised for his challenge on Glancy. McGregor guessed the right way but Hamill’s penalty flew in over his outstretched arm.

Rangers threw everyone forward in the final minutes and they got their reward with three minutes remaining while Killie player Sissoko was off the field receiving treatment.

Weiss danced down the left wing before sending a low cross into the six-yard box which the sliding Clancy knocked past the keeper as he attempted to clear it as Rangers claimed all three points.

Scottish FA Cup: Quarter-finals – Inverness vs Celtic pp (waterlogged pitch); Dundee United vs St Mirren 2-2.