Rangers Thrash Ten-Man Kilmarnock To Close Gap

The Scottish Premiership title race took another dramatic turn at Ibrox as Rangers delivered a commanding 5-1 victory over a 10-man Kilmarnock side, narrowing Hearts’ lead at the top of the table to just three points. With Celtic’s fixture against Aberdeen postponed, all eyes were on Govan, where Danny Rohl’s men seized the opportunity to put pressure on the league leaders and shake up the standings.

It was a night of redemption and firsts for Rangers, and the early moments set the tone for a contest that would eventually swing decisively in their favor. There were barely three minutes on the clock when Djeidi Gassama burst in behind Kilmarnock’s left back Dom Thompson, who, in a desperate attempt to recover, dragged down the Rangers winger in the penalty area. Referee David Dickinson had little hesitation, pointing to the spot and producing a red card for Thompson—a nightmare start for Neil McCann’s Kilmarnock, who found themselves a man down almost before the contest had begun.

James Tavernier, ever the reliable captain from 12 yards, stepped up and coolly slotted home the penalty to give Rangers the lead. The home fans erupted, but any hopes of an early rout were tempered by a sluggish remainder of the first half. Despite their numerical advantage, Rangers struggled to find rhythm, drawing a chorus of boos from the stands as the teams headed into the break with the score at just 1-0. Kilmarnock, to their credit, dug in, even creating a gilt-edged chance to equalize through Bruce Anderson, who found himself in acres of space but dragged his shot wide with only Jack Butland to beat.

"We need more intensity, more fire," Danny Rohl reportedly urged his players at halftime, sensing the restlessness in the crowd and the opportunity slipping away. The message clearly landed. The second half saw Rangers return with renewed purpose, and it wasn’t long before they began to pull away from their tiring opponents.

Bojan Miovski, who had endured a quiet first half and even drawn groans from the Ibrox faithful, silenced his critics with a moment of class. Picking up the ball some 20 yards from goal, he guided a precise finish into the bottom corner to double the lead and settle nerves around the stadium. "Miovski makes it two! It’s a lovely finish from the frontman who runs onto the ball and passes it with accuracy into the bottom corner!" reported the matchday commentators, capturing the relief and excitement in the air.

The floodgates threatened to open as Rangers pressed forward. Andreas Skov Olsen, one of several new faces in the squad, marked his debut in royal blue with a composed finish for the third goal—his first for the club. The move was crafted by fellow debutant Tuur Rommens, who cut the ball back perfectly for the Danish winger to apply the finishing touch. "It’s a first Rangers goal for Andreas Skov Olsen! Two of the new signings combine beautifully," noted observers, highlighting the instant impact of January’s transfer business.

Yet, just as Rangers looked set to cruise, a moment of calamity gave Kilmarnock a lifeline. Jack Butland, usually so reliable between the posts, completely misjudged a back pass from Nasser Djiga. The ball squirmed across his body and fell invitingly to Greg Kiltie, who made no mistake from close range. It was a gift, and Kiltie’s finish made it 3-1, offering a brief glimmer of hope for the visitors—albeit one that was quickly snuffed out as Rangers regained control.

With Kilmarnock’s legs gone after more than an hour with ten men, Rangers capitalized ruthlessly. Oliver Antman, another substitute eager to impress, added a fourth after a clever cutback from Rommens. Deep into stoppage time, Mikey Moore, who had tormented Kilmarnock’s right flank all night, capped his performance with a fine left-footed finish to make it five different scorers for the hosts. "A thoroughly impressive performance from Mikey Moore is capped off with a fine left-footed finish to make it 5-1!" the match report exclaimed, reflecting the sense of a job well done.

The final whistle brought a sense of satisfaction for Rangers, who had weathered a nervy first half and ultimately overwhelmed their depleted opponents. Five goals from five different players underscored the depth and attacking options now available to Rohl, whose January recruits—Skov Olsen, Rommens, Antman, and Naderi—were all involved in some capacity. The result not only narrowed the gap at the top but also gave Rangers a valuable boost in goal difference, a factor that could yet prove decisive in the title race.

It wasn’t all smooth sailing for the home side. The absence of key players such as Youssef Chermiti and Emmanuel Fernandez was keenly felt. Rohl explained post-match that Chermiti was sidelined after suffering a nasty cut in the previous fixture against Hibernian, requiring seven stitches and leaving him unable to walk. Fernandez, meanwhile, missed out with a knee problem, while Dujon Sterling was rested to manage his workload amid a congested fixture schedule. "Not an easy one," Rohl told Rangers TV. "Manny has a little bit small issues with his knee. Youssef… there was a bad foul on him and he has a big cut. We had to stitch him with seven stitches; he cannot really walk at the moment."

Despite the absences, the reshuffled lineup delivered when it mattered. The starting XI featured Jack Butland in goal; a back four of Tavernier, Djiga, Souttar, and Meghoma; a midfield trio of Raskin, Diomande, and Aasgaard; with Moore, Gassama, and Miovski leading the line. Substitutes included new signings and fresh faces, with Rommens and Naderi making their first appearances in a Rangers matchday squad. The tactical flexibility and squad depth were evident as Rohl rotated effectively, using his bench to maintain intensity and secure the points.

Kilmarnock, for their part, battled valiantly in the face of adversity but were ultimately undone by the early red card and the relentless pressure. Manager Neil McCann, returning to Ibrox in unfamiliar territory, will rue the early dismissal and missed opportunities, especially Anderson’s first-half chance. The defeat leaves Kilmarnock stuck in 11th place and facing a crucial clash with St Mirren next week as they look to climb away from the relegation zone.

For Rangers, the win was more than just three points. It was a statement of intent, a demonstration of their attacking depth, and a timely boost in a title race that looks set to go down to the wire. With Hearts still leading but now within touching distance, and Celtic lurking with games in hand, the Scottish Premiership is shaping up for a thrilling conclusion. For now, though, it’s Rangers who are smiling, their title ambitions burning brighter after a five-goal show at Ibrox.