Joe Wright insists the disappointment in the Kilmarnock dressing room after their narrow 2-1 loss to Rangers shows just how much they’ve improved this season.
Derek McInnes’ side were edged out on home soil on Wednesday night after the visitors staged a second-half fightback to secure all three points. James Tavernier and Tom Lawrence scored the goals to cancel out Danny Armstrong’s early opener from the spot.
Four minutes of madness before the hour-mark essentially cost Killie the match, as the Premiership leaders asserted themselves by applying concerted pressure on Will Dennis’ goal.
But with the team still in fourth place after a tough run of games, and with top six and European football very much in their grasp, Wright says he and his teammates will dust themselves down to keep pushing for success this term.
“It was a tough one to take, especially after the first-half performance when we went a goal ahead through Danny,” the 29-year-old said. “We troubled them from set-plays and should maybe have had one or two more, going into the break.
“We started the second half well with the chance where Vass [Kyle Vassell] has gone down the side and crossed and Matty [Kennedy] is unlucky, but it was just disappointing, really.
“If you’re in the dressing room, you see the disappointment that we’ve lost the game to Rangers by one goal. That shows how far we’ve come in the last 12 months.
“All the lads were gutted and we feel that we should have got at least a point out of the game.
“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.”
READ MORE: Derek McInnes irked by Kilmarnock penalty snub vs Rangers
Killie were awarded one penalty by referee David Dickinson. And much like manager McInnes, Wright feels they should’ve had another.
Liam Donnelly was bundled over inside the Rangers box as the game headed toward full-time. He appeared to get pushed in the back after getting to the ball first.
Wright said: “From my view on the pitch, I thought it was (a penalty). But I haven’t seen it back so I can’t tell you for definite.
“Donners said he felt contact from behind and he’s gone down. But it’s not been given so there’s nothing we can do now.”
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