Rangers 4 Kilmarnock 0

Last updated : 11 May 2003 By Footymad Previewer

Rangers returned to the top of the SPL with this 4-0 victory, but if goal difference decides the final outcome of the title, then the home side may yet rue their catalogue of missed chances.

Two goals by Michael Mols within in the opening six minutes meant the Ibrox side could relax, but it took until the second half before subs Shota Arveladze and Claudio Caniggia were able to add to their early lead.

The pattern was set as early as the first minute when Ronald de Boer lofted his shot over with only keeper Gordon Marshall to beat. This miss was soon forgotten when Mols shot home off the post after skilful work by Mikel Arteta had created the chance.

When Mols lobbed the ball into the empty net from 30 yards after Marshall had done well to block de Boer's shot on the edge of his area it looked as though the home side would run up a cricket score.

Barry Ferguson, Arteta and Lorenzo Amoruso all went close with Kilmarnock's only reply an Andy McLaren free-kick which did not trouble Stefan Klos in the Rangers goal.

From Arteta's free-kick Amoruso's shot hit the post before Ferguson twice missed easy chances before the break.

Arveladze put the home side three up when he scored the best goal of the afternoon with a powerful dipping shot into the top corner from 20 yards.

The other sub, Caniggia, made it four when he cleverly rounded Marshall before shooting home from de Boer's well timed pass.

There was still time for Marshall to perform further heroics as he denied efforts from Arveladze and Caniggia and these saves may well have a bearing on the final outcome of this thrilling title race.