Inside devastated Kilmarnock reaction to Rangers defeat as main free-kick regret is foul didn't come SOONER

Joe Wright insists Killie kicking themselves after the Rangers defeat on Wednesday proves the Rugby Park men mean business this season.

Derek McInnes’ side were left gutted after the Light Blues came back from a goal down to claim a 2-1 victory. Kilmarnock have only lost twice in the league since the start of December – and both times to the leaders. Defender Wright said: “In the dressing room, you can see the disappointment that we’ve lost to Rangers by one goal. That shows how far we’ve come in a year. All the lads were gutted and we feel that we should have got at least a point. Obviously our record against the Old Firm speaks for itself this season, both in the cup and in the league. So for us to lose that game was disappointing, especially at home.”

Wright felt Killie were good value for their lead but the clash flipped on a couple of key moments – including a Jack Butland wonder save and another penalty shout. He said: “We troubled them from set-plays and went ahead through Danny Armstrong.

“We should maybe have had one or two more goals going into the break. We started the second half well with the chance where Matty Kennedy is unlucky but it was just disappointing.

“I don’t think it (the save) was a turning point but it was a big moment and something their keeper can be pleased with. We were unlucky not to finish it at the end. From my view on the pitch, I thought we should have had a penalty. Liam Donnelly said he felt contact from behind and has gone down. But it’s not been given so there’s nothing we can do now.”

Rangers got back in the game with a trademark free-kick stunner from James Tavernier. And Wright added: “From our point of view, maybe we can foul him further up the pitch and then he’s not having a