Rangers Rout Kilmarnock 5-1 as Gers Capitalise on Early Red Card

Rangers maintained their pursuit of the Premiership summit with a comprehensive 5-1 victory over Kilmarnock at Ibrox, extending their winning streak to five matches in emphatic fashion.

The contest was effectively settled within the opening five minutes when Kilmarnock defender David Thompson received a straight red card, allowing James Tavernier to convert the resulting penalty and set Rangers on course for a routine victory against relegation-threatened opposition.

The nine-place gap between these sides in the table - Rangers sitting second with 51 points versus Kilmarnock’s 11th-place position on just 17 points - was immediately apparent. Philippe Clement’s side, averaging 2.04 points per game, demonstrated the clinical edge that has characterised their recent form (WDWWW) compared to Kilmarnock’s concerning run of just one win in five (LWLDL).

Bojan Miovski doubled the advantage just before the hour mark, before Andreas Skov Olsen added a third to put the result beyond doubt. Greg Kiltie briefly threatened a comeback with Kilmarnock’s solitary strike on 84 minutes, but Rangers’ superior quality told in the closing stages.

Osagie Antman and Michael Moore both found the net in the final ten minutes, the latter scoring deep into stoppage time to complete the rout. The five-goal haul highlighted Rangers’ attacking prowess, particularly against opponents struggling with a goal difference of -24 over 25 matches.

For Kilmarnock, whose 0.68 points-per-game average places them firmly in relegation danger, Thompson’s early dismissal epitomised their current struggles. Manager Derek McInnes will be particularly concerned by his side’s inability to maintain discipline in crucial fixtures.

Rangers’ victory keeps them within touching distance of the Premiership leaders, with their superior goal difference of +24 reflecting both defensive solidity and attacking fluency. With 25 matches played, this dominant display suggests Clement’s side remain serious title contenders in what promises to be a compelling run-in.