Calderwood was dismayed at his team's second-half performance at Rugby Park

Jimmy Calderwood was at a loss to explain his Kilmarnock team's inability to maintain their first-half form after the break in their defeat by Rangers.

Prior to goals by Steven Whittaker and Kenny Miller, Killie looked the team more likely to win the game.

"I was very disappointed in the second half. We just didn't get started at all," lamented Calderwood.

"Normally we would fight back, but we seemed to lose a lot of confidence when they got the first goal."

The win for Rangers means they need, at most, six wins from their 10 remaining matches to retain the Scottish Premier League title.

For Kilmarnock, they have the visit on Saturday of Celtic on Scottish Cup business to look forward to and the prospect of inflicting another defeat on Tony Mowbray's side.

Chris Maguire scored the only goal of the game when the teams met on league business at the beginning of February, a match in which Robbie Keane made his Celtic debut.

"Kevin Kyle, Simon Ford and Craig Bryson could be back and we're going to need them," said the Rugby Park boss.

"We're raging and we're down but we're not the only team that has been beaten by Rangers this season."

Before that cup tie, Calderwood will no doubt reflect on the first-half chance missed by Mehdi Taouil, when he hit a shot straight at Allan McGregor after the ball rebounded off the Rangers goalie.

"Allan McGregor was having problems with the crosses. There were so many bodies in there. If we had been on our toes instead of on our heels, we might have gone ahead and we probably deserved to," Calderwood told BBC Scotland.

"I thought it was a really strong first-half performance. That's why I am so disappointed - I just wanted more of the same.

"I thought we were in the ascendancy, we were on the front foot and we had the best chances. I can't remember Rangers having too many chances.

"I just don't know what happened in the second half. Like many of the games in Scotland, when you get the first goal you can hang on to it, and I think we should have.

"Rangers took over and deserved their victory in the end. In the end, it looks like Rangers have run out comfortable winners."

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