Rangers 3 Kilmarnock 1

Kilmarnock suffered defeat at the hands of Rangers in the first game back after the prolonged international break.

Gassama looked dangerous for Rangers in the opening stages, but Cathal McCarthy halted him in his tracks, showing brilliant reading of the game.

Tyreece John-Jules took the ball down excellently to carve out the first opportunity of the game. He played an inch perfect ball in-behind of the Gers defence for Joe Hugill to latch onto, but the striker’s touch and finish was lacking.

Just a minute later, Naderi opened the scoring with a close-range header, meeting a wicked cross from Penrice deep on the left side. The hosts doubled their lead on 26 minutes when Kelsy’s shot was diverted into the net by George Stanger. A VAR check took place, with the forward having looked to have handled the ball, but the goal was awarded.

MJ Kamson-Kamara threw his body on the line to block a goal-bound Gassama shot to deny Rangers a quickfire third.

After a period of dominance for Rangers, Killie settled. Hugill again blasted over the crossbar in a decent shooting position after John-Jules knocked down a delightfully clipped ball into the area by Tom Lowery. Moments after, Erik Ring sent Penrice onto the M8 with a chop to cut the ball back onto his left foot, but once again, the shot sailed over, as Killie showed more encouraging signs.

However, right before the break Rangers would add a third, with Naderi deflecting a Gassama effort beyond Calum Ferrie in fortuitous fashion.

Killie created the first chance of the second period when Greg Kiltie won possession back in an advanced area. He slipped in John-Jules who had time and space in the box, but his effort was tame and aimed straight at the goalkeeper.

Hugill then forced Makhanya into an error before bearing down on goal unmarked. On his weaker left foot though, Pandur was able to easily hold.

Killie showed a marked improvement, and somehow failed to score during a sustained period of pressure. John-Jules did have the ball in the net, but Kiltie was offside during some neat build-up play for the visitors. The striker then smacked the outside of the post with a powerful effort. Pandur then produced a top save to deny Aaron Tshibola from distance, with his shot bound for the far top corner, before Kiltie then failed to get a proper connection on a cutback from Ring, as Killie tried to pull a goal back.

Killie eventually scored the goal their performance deserved. Djenairo Daniels picked out Hugill on the left as Killie hit their opponents on the break. He slipped in Nicky Cleșcenco, who evaded a tackle with some quick feet before poking home beyond the keeper.

Attendance: 50,501

Team: Ferrie, Kamson-Kamara (Brandon, 79’), McCarthy, Ring (Cleșcenco, 74’), Hugill, John-Jules, Kiltie (Daniels, 79’), Stanger, Lowery, Schjønning-Larsen, Tshibola.

Unused subs: Armour, O’Hara, Deas, McKenzie, Meier, Owen.

Booked: Schjønning-Larsen.