Source: Team_Talk
Smith pays tribute to Whittaker
The Ibrox side struggled to break down their hosts in the first half at Rugby Park before Whittaker made the breakthrough shortly after the restart and Kenny Miller doubled the advantage soon after.[LNB]Whittaker's goal haul has been particularly impressive as most of his efforts have been from full-back and Smith is pleased to see the goals being spread about in the team.[LNB]"He's got a level of confidence to have a go now," said the Rangers boss.[LNB]"They are good goals, he doesn't score many poor ones. He is showing a good level of confidence in that respect.[LNB]"He is doing very well considering most of the goals have been from the full-back position. It was a welcome one tonight, I felt we had to lift our game in the second half, and I was delighted we got the goal and then another five minutes later."[LNB]However, Smith joked that top goalscorer Kris Boyd - who has not netted in the last three games and who is one goal from taking his Rangers tally in the SPL to 100 - may not be so happy about others sharing the limelight.[LNB]He added: "The boys have been chipping in on a regular basis from the other positions and as long as we get the goals, that's the main thing.[LNB]"I'm delighted to see the goals being spread out - although I'm sure Kris won't agree with that."[LNB]The win means Rangers have now suffered just one defeat - at Aberdeen - in the last calendar year since their shock loss to Inverness last March.[LNB]"It's a fair achievement," said Smith, as the champions restored their 13 point lead at the summit of the SPL.[LNB]"For a team that doesn't get a lot of credit, our consistency of results have been fantastic."[LNB]While Rangers struggled to stamp their authority on the game early on, Kilmarnock were unfortunate not to find the back of the net, with Mehdi Taouil squandering a great chance.[LNB]"I'm very disappointed," said manager Jimmy Calderwood.[LNB]"I thought we were in the ascendancy for 50 minutes and more than matched Rangers. We had the best chances in the first half and we deserved to go ahead.[LNB]"Rangers didn't cause us any problems in the first half and it was poor goals we gave away."[LNB][LNB] Rangers v Dundee Utd 1st Goalscorer: Whittaker, S. 12/1
