Steve Fulton (left) worked hard in midfield

But goalkeeper Gordon Marshall came off his line to get there first.

Arteta lost the ball in midfield to allow a Killie counter-attack which saw Gary McSwegan give Ferguson the slip before letting fly from distance.

His powerful effort forced Klos into a flying parry.

Rangers then opened the scoring from a corner, which was awarded even though it appeared Peter Lovenkrands had got the last touch.

Arteta's cross was headed away by Freddie Dindeleux, but only as far as Lovenkrands.

His overhead kick was poorly cleared and De Boer was first to the loose ball.

His header found Arveladze unmarked in front of goal, and the Georgian had little trouble nodding past the exposed Marshall.

Killie hit back and McSwegan hit a rising shot from 25-yards which just cleared Klos' bar.

Arveladze missed a few second-half chances

Then Ferguson forced Marshall into a spectacular save with a drive from 25 yards as Rangers finished the half the stronger.

Killie defenders crowded out de Boer at the near post in the second half at the expense of a corner.

From the cross, Lorenzo Amoruso rose to head behind off the outside of a post.

Marshall then made another good save, this time blocking from Arveladze.

But 10 minutes from the end McLaren took advantage of indecision in the Rangers' defence, pouncing to score from 10 yards.

Kilmarnock: Marshall, Shields, Hessey, Dindeleux, Hay, Mitchell (Boyd 73), Mahood, Sanjuan, Fulton, McSwegan (McLaughlin 90), Dargo (McLaren 64).

Subs Not Used: Meldrum, McDonald.

Booked: Mahood.

Rangers: Klos, Ricksen, Moore, Amoruso, Numan, McCann (Flo 83), Ferguson, Arteta (Konterman 76), Lovenkrands, Arveladze, de Boer (Latapy 70).

Subs Not Used: McGregor, Ross.

Att: 13,972

Ref: K Clark (Scotland).