Last updated 14:30, Monday, 25 February 2008

KENNY DEUCHAR may be the only Scotsman to find the back of the net against Rangers in 2008 – but he reckons yesterday's double at Ibrox will count for nothing if Gretna don't overcome Kilmarnock on Wednesday night.

The big targetman scored in the 2-1 defeat to the SPL leaders at Fir Park in mid-January and until yesterday's two-goal salvo, the only goal conceded by Rangers since the turn of the year was Yannis Goumas' strike for Panathinaikos in Thursday's UEFA Cup tie.

Deuchar, below, who proved a handful all afternoon for Rangers defender Davie Weir, enhanced his prospects of attracting a bigger club after vowing to quit crisis-hit Raydale Park at the end of the season.

But the man known as Doctor Goals insists all he is focusing on is Wednesday night's crunch home clash with relegation rivals Kilmarnock when, barring a minor mircale, a defeat will virtually seal Gretna's immediate return to the First Division after a stormy first season in the SPL.

Kilmarnock's 3-1 win at home to Aberdeen yesterday left the Black and Whites marooned 12 points adrift at the foot of the table as the worst week in the club's history ended as badly as it started.

In a traumatic seven days, staff, including players, weren't paid, club owner Brooks Mileson has been seriously ill in hospital and boss Davie Irons and coach Derek Collins were lured away by Morton.

In two days' time, there could be even more doom and gloom for the club which waded out of its depth.

Deuchar said: “We've a huge game on Wednesday when it's really do-or-die. It's disappointing to have lost again to Rangers but things seem to be getting sorted at Gretna so that is positive.

“We really need to win against Kilmarnock or else it is probably end of the story.

“It's good to see Brooks getting better because he's done a lot for the club and for me as well. Hopefully he will make a good recovery and get back in the stand cheering us on.”

If Gretna's battle-weary troops were feeling dazed or battered by the number of defeats they have endured this season, it wasn't evident yesterday in what was caretaker boss Mick Wadsworth's first game in charge of the team following Irons' departure.

Deuchar's two late goals gave Rangers an uncomfortable end to the game, though substitute Chris Boyd had already scored the home side's fourth before the striker got his second goal.

Two early first half goals - both set up by Rangers' inspirational skipper Barry Ferguson - left Gretna with a mountain to climb.

Daniel Cousin marked his return to the Rangers' team with a goal on 13 minutes when he outpaced Kyle Naughton, before rounding keeper Greg Fleming and squeezing the ball home from a tight angle.

Nine minutes later, more poor defending by Gretna's rookie defence still robbed of the services – of injured centre-backs Chris Innes and Aurelien Collin – saw Rangers double their advantage when Ferguson's corner was met by the unmarked Stevie Naismith who hooked the ball into the back of the net.

It prompted a brave fight-back from Gretna, with skipper Paul Murray's glancing header crashing against the post from an excellent Brendan McGill cross, and five minutes before half-time Deuchar fired over the bar.

Gretna's rally left the Rangers faithful restless but Chris Burke settled their nerves when he hit their third on 61 minutes, arriving with Swiss-watch timing to get on the end of Jean-Claude Darcheville's delivery and fire into the roof of the net from six yards. But Deuchar's awkward attacking presence and aerial threat caused Rangers problems all afternoon and it was little surprise when he pulled a goal back on 71 minutes, nodding home a corner from sub Mickael Busher.

The remote prospect of a fight-back was ended when Rangers put the game beyond doubt two minutes from time when Steven Davis' through ball found sub Kris Boyd and he rounded Fleming before strolling the ball home.

There was still time for Gretna to prove they're not going down without a fight when Danny Hall headed across goal for Deuchar to head home from close-in.

MATCH FACTS

Rangers: McGregor, Broadfoot, Cuellar, Weir, Whittaker, Burke, Davis, Ferguson, Naismith, Darcheville (Novo, 61), Cousin (Boyd, 61), subs (not used): Alexander, Dailly, Faye, Furman and Fleck.

Gretna: Fleming, Barr, Hall, Meynell, Naughton, McGill, Murray (Wilkinson, 70), Skelton Deverdics (Baldacchino, 77), Deuchar, Kissock (Buscher, 70), subs (not used): Krysiak, Makinwa, Schultz-Eklund and Griffiths.

Referee: Calum Murray

Bookings: None

Attendance: 48,375