Rangers Hit Five Past Kilmarnock To Close Premiership Gap

Rangers fans at Ibrox were treated to a night of drama, goals, and a statement of intent as the home side dismantled a depleted Kilmarnock 5-1 on February 4, 2026, narrowing the gap to Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts to just three points. With the league’s top spot in sight and Celtic’s fixture postponed, Danny Rohl’s side seized the opportunity to pile on the pressure and showcase their attacking prowess, even if it took a while for the fireworks to truly ignite.

The stage was set for a high-stakes encounter, with Rangers desperate to respond after Hearts dropped points and to put their own recent frustrations behind them. The lineup featured five changes from the previous outing, with Jack Butland in goal behind a backline of James Tavernier, Nasser Djiga, John Souttar, and Jayden Meghoma. In midfield, Nico Raskin, Mohamed Diomande, and Thelo Aasgaard were tasked with dictating play, while Mikey Moore, Djeidi Gassama, and Bojan Miovski formed a forward trio aiming to make an impact. New signings Ryan Naderi and Tuur Rommens made the bench for the first time, signaling fresh options for Rohl as the season’s intensity ramps up.

But before fans could even settle into their seats, the tone was set. Just three minutes in, Djeidi Gassama slipped in behind Kilmarnock’s Dom Thompson, who was left with little choice but to drag down the winger inside the penalty area. The referee wasted no time, pointing to the spot and showing Thompson a straight red card, reducing Kilmarnock to ten men before they’d even had a chance to establish themselves. Captain James Tavernier, as reliable as ever from twelve yards, dispatched the penalty coolly to give Rangers an early lead and calm any pre-match nerves.

"There was fire in the players before kick-off," manager Danny Rohl later remarked, as quoted by Daily Record. Yet, despite the man advantage and the perfect start, Rangers found the remainder of the first half a tougher slog than anticipated. Mikey Moore was a constant thorn down the left, repeatedly tormenting the visitors’ right side, but Kilmarnock, to their credit, slowed the pace and even carved out a golden chance to level. Greg Kiltie surged forward and found Bruce Anderson in acres of space, but the striker’s low shot dragged wide, letting Rangers off the hook and leaving the home crowd restless as halftime approached.

The single-goal margin at the interval prompted a chorus of boos from some sections of Ibrox, reflecting frustration at the lack of clinical finishing and the sense that the game should already have been out of sight. Rohl, visibly animated on the touchline, was expected to deliver a fiery team talk—and whatever he said clearly worked. Rangers emerged for the second half with renewed purpose, determined to put the contest to bed.

It didn’t take long for the breakthrough. Bojan Miovski, who had endured a quiet first half and drawn groans from the stands, silenced his critics with a moment of quality. Latching onto a pass about 20 yards from goal, the forward picked his spot and curled a precise finish into the bottom corner, doubling Rangers’ advantage and all but extinguishing hopes of a Kilmarnock comeback. "Miovski makes it two! It’s a lovely finish from the frontman," reported Daily Record, capturing the relief and renewed optimism amongst the home support.

The floodgates now open, Rangers pressed forward with confidence. The introduction of new signings from the bench added further impetus, with Tuur Rommens making an immediate impact on his debut. Rommens burst forward, picking out fellow substitute Andreas Skov Olsen with a perfectly timed cutback. The Danish winger, another recent arrival, kept his composure and swept home his first goal for the club, making it 3-0 and sparking wild celebrations. "It’s a first Rangers goal for Andreas Skov Olsen!" exclaimed the match report, highlighting the growing contributions from January’s new faces.

Kilmarnock, already stretched by their numerical disadvantage, were gifted a lifeline thanks to a rare and unfortunate error from Jack Butland. Attempting to deal with a routine back pass under little pressure, Butland miscontrolled the ball, allowing Greg Kiltie to pounce and slot home a consolation goal. The mistake was a blip in an otherwise comfortable second half for Rangers, and the home side wasted little time in reasserting their dominance.

Oliver Antman, another substitute, got in on the act with a fourth goal. Once again, Rommens was the architect, cutting the ball back for Antman to finish from close range. The move showcased the depth and creativity now available to Rohl, with new signings making immediate contributions and staking their claim for more regular involvement.

As the match ticked into stoppage time, Mikey Moore put the finishing touches on a memorable night for Rangers. The young winger, who had been a livewire throughout, capped his performance with a fine left-footed strike to make it 5-1, drawing a roar of approval from the Ibrox faithful. Five goals from five different scorers—a true team effort and a reflection of the attacking options at Rohl’s disposal.

While the scoreline might suggest a one-sided affair, Kilmarnock’s resilience in the first half and their ability to create chances with ten men deserve mention. Neil McCann’s side, however, simply couldn’t cope with the relentless pressure after the break and now face a crucial clash with St Mirren as they look to climb away from the lower reaches of the table.

For Rangers, the night was about more than just three points. The performance, particularly in the second half, sent a message to their title rivals and provided a timely boost as the season enters its decisive phase. With Celtic’s fixture postponed and Hearts still leading the way, the gap at the top is down to three points, and the league table looks far more inviting for the Ibrox side.

Post-match, attention also turned to the absentees. Manager Danny Rohl explained the absence of Youssef Chermiti and Emmanuel Fernandez, both sidelined through injury. Chermiti, who suffered a bad cut requiring seven stitches in the previous match, was unable to walk, while Fernandez was managing a knee problem after a heavy run of games. Dujon Sterling was also rested to manage his workload ahead of a double game within 72 hours. The depth of the squad, bolstered by January arrivals, proved crucial on a night when rotation was necessary.

With five different players finding the net, new signings making instant impacts, and the gap to the summit closing, Rangers will feel the momentum is firmly with them. The Ibrox crowd left with a renewed sense of optimism, knowing their team is very much in the title hunt as the business end of the season approaches.