Rangers moved up to second in the Scottish Premiership and cut leaders Hearts’ advantage to three points with a 5-1 win over Kilmarnock at Ibrox.
The night began well for Danny Röhl’s side after Celtic’s match at Aberdeen was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch, giving Rangers the chance to leapfrog their rivals. The advantage was compounded inside five minutes when Kilmarnock’s Dominic Thompson clumsily brought down Djeidi Gassama as he tried to control a pass, allowing referee David Dickinson to award a penalty and show Thompson a straight red card. James Tavernier converted from the spot.
Despite the early sending-off, Kilmarnock were dangerous in the first half. Greg Kiltie set up Bruce Anderson, who dragged a clear chance wide when it looked easier to score. Rangers’ tempo lacked consistency but they grew into the game.
Just before the hour, Bojan Miovski doubled Rangers’ lead, finishing low after an exchange with Mohamed Diomande. That goal appeared to take the wind out of Kilmarnock’s sails. With 16 minutes left, January signing Andreas Skov Olsen made it 3-0 with a stylish finish following Mikey Moore’s square ball.
Kilmarnock pulled one back when Jack Butland misjudged a clearance and Greg Kiltie capitalised to make it 3-1, but Rangers quickly restored control. Debutant Tuur Rommens set up Oliver Antman to finish in the 90th minute for 4-1, and Mikey Moore — who had been lively all evening — added a fifth after Antman created the chance, sealing a comprehensive victory.
Röhl praised his squad’s work and balance: “Five nice goals. Also good to see that some players scored and got some minutes. I’m happy for the group. They work very hard… Everyone who plays football knows what it means when 10 players are behind the ball; you have to break them, you need the patience… 5-1, it’s a good step, not more. I’m very on the ground at the moment. I know it’s 13 games to go, still a long way, but my group is outstanding.”
Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann felt his team had done well, particularly with ten men, and questioned some pivotal decisions: “There was so much to like about it. I genuinely felt that we were the better side in the first half, with 10 men… Dom Thompson doesn’t see Gassama coming; Gassama probably slows up a little bit and initiates the contact. It’s so harsh because I don’t think every foul in the box should be a red card.” McCann also highlighted a moment when Tyreece John-Jules went through on goal and felt an off-the-ball shove on James Tavernier warranted a sending-off because Tavernier was already on a yellow.
Key events
– Early red card: Dominic Thompson sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity on Djeidi Gassama; James Tavernier scored the penalty.
– Bojan Miovski made it 2-0 just before the hour.
– Andreas Skov Olsen scored his first Rangers goal to make it 3-0.
– Greg Kiltie pulled one back after a misjudged Butland clearance.
– Oliver Antman and Mikey Moore added late goals to complete a 5-1 scoreline.
Rangers move to second in the table, closing the gap on Hearts to three points, while Kilmarnock left Ibrox frustrated but encouraged by their first-half display with ten men.
Fixtures and more
– Rangers fixtures
– Kilmarnock fixtures