The message last month from Danny Rohl was 'let's hunt'. Rangers are now within striking distance of Hearts after this victory over Kilmarnock at Ibrox.
James Tavernier gave Rohl's side the perfect start after three minutes as he converted from the spot. Dominic Thompson bundled over Djeidi Gassama and saw red. Rangers couldn't capitalise and there were a smattering of boos at the break.
Bojan Miovski eased the nerves with a strike from distance that made it 2-0 before Andreas Skov Olsen opened his account for the club. Oliver Antman got in on the act, making it 4-1 in the closing seconds. Mikey Moore capped the win and a man of the match performance.
Rohl handed Ryan Naderi his debut and Tuur Rommens also featured for the first time with the points wrapped up and a Greg Kiltie strike was a consolation for the visitors.
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More is needed to maintain title bid
When Dundee visited here a couple of weeks ago, the home crowd kept an eye on matters at Tynecastle as well as events on the park. It was an afternoon of twists and turns as Rangers took care of their business and gained ground on their two title rivals.
The opportunity was here for Rohl’s side this time around. The defeat to St Mirren on Tuesday evening was a setback for Hearts, while Celtic saw their trip to Pittodrie called off late in the afternoon. Rangers simply had to take advantage.
They did so, albeit not in the manner that many expected. Rangers were comfortable throughout but were not commanding until the closing stages. The first half performance was hardly a statement of intent. Perhaps tellingly, Rangers were much improved once their new arrivals were on the park and a 5-1 win will always be accepted at this stage of the season.
The three goals were the most important factor, of course. The deficit to Hearts was reduced and the gap to Celtic was opened. In that sense, it was job done for Rangers but greater tests will come after the Scottish Cup clash with Queen’s Park this weekend.
A trip to Motherwell awaits next midweek before Hearts visit Ibrox. Two wins there would lay down a marker. Another two at Livingston and in the Old Firm would put Rangers in a position of real strength in the Premiership. If the points are to be earned, the performances must improve.
Final third issues remain
The deadlock was broken with the first attack. A driving run from Moore and neat pass towards Djeidi Gassama sparked panic in the Killie area. Thompson bundled over the winger and was dismissed. Tavernier held his nerve from 12 yards and Rangers were off and running.
Mohamed Diomande fired just wide of target after Rangers worked a corner from right to left and Kelle Roos saved from Nico Raskin and Jayden Meghoma. Another set-piece routine ended with Nasser Djiga heading wide.
Moore was the most threatening of the forward four for Rangers. He cut in from the left with purpose on several occasions, often looking to link the play. When he had a shot himself, he could only find the front the Copland Stand.
Once again, there was a lack of cutting edge about Rohl’s side. Diomande came close from distance but Rangers were passive and carrying passengers in the shape of Thelo Aasgaard – whose tame strike was saved just before the whistle - and Bojan Miovski in particular. Both were fortunate to see the second half.
GOAL - Andreas Skov Olsen opens his #Rangers account.
A neat finish from inside the box. It comes following good play down the left from Mikey Moore, who has constantly taken risks and looked to make things happen. 3-0 to the hosts.— Joshua Barrie (@JoshuaBarrieRR) February 4, 2026
Miovski made the most of his reprieve. A fine finish from distance found the corner of the net to make sure of the points. Then Rangers found their rhythm.
The third goal came from Skov Olsen. Roos had saved a low effort from a similar position a couple of minutes previously. Second time around, the strike was perfectly placed into the top corner and the Dane had his first goal for the club.
Oliver Antman also got some much-needed minutes and scored his first goal by finding the bottom corner from inside the area. Moore deserved his goal and his ovation as he added a shine to the scoreline. The celebrations could begin.
Killie had their chances
The message from McCann was that Killie were not here to park the bus as they sought to take the positives and the confidence from their win over Aberdeen. That gameplan looked to have lasted all of three minutes. Thompson was back in the dressing room before some had even taken their seats. McCann and assistant Billy Dodds knew as well as anyone how difficult the task had become in that moment.
To be fair to the visitors, they still tried to put McCann’s words into action and they have become accustomed to playing with a numerical disadvantage, with the red card here the fifth they have received in six matches.
Rangers naturally dominated the possession, but Killie caused problems when they could and Bruce Anderson should have made it 1-1 as he pulled his shot wide of the far post from a Kiltie cutback. Jack Butland saved from David Watson after a neat move saw Killie neatly work themselves out of danger and into a shooting space.
Kiltie should have reduced the deficit at 2-0. A cross from Michael Schjonning-Larsen found him at the back post but he couldn’t get the right connection six yards out and his frustration was clear. Kiltie did score with seven minutes remaining as he capitalised on a horrendous error from Butland as he miskicked a clearance on his line.
Is this squad strong enough?
It was a case of out with new and in with the old. All four of Rohl’s January recruits started on the bench as Tochi Chukwuani and Skov Olsen dropped out of the side following the draw with Hibernian on Sunday. Rommens was seen for the first time in a matchday squad, while Ryan Naderi came into the group following his deadline day arrival.
The fact that Rohl filled the bench with a second keeper, with Kieran Wright joining Liam Kelly on the sidelines, told its own story. Dujon Sterling is being managed through the fixture schedule, but Manny Fernandez missed out through a knee injury and Youssef Chermiti sustained a cut at Easter Road that required several stitches and left him unable to walk.
It was not a side that inspired confidence in the support. Even before a ball was kicked, many would have been anticipating Rohl going to his bench and introducing some of the new faces.
Skov Olsen replaced Gassama on the hour mark, Max Aarons took over from Tavernier and Aasgaard made way as Naderi earned his debut. Rommens got his bow a few minutes later.
Rohl wished to operate with a smaller squad – in number, not stature – in the second half of the season. He must now get the best out of this group.
Naderi makes his bow
The Ibrox crowd welcomed Rommens, Chukwuani and Skov Olsen to some acclaim ahead of the Scottish Cup win over Annan a couple of weeks ago. The arrival of Naderi was somewhat more low key and there were no standing ovations or posed photographs for the German.
He was announced over the PA system and turned to wave to the crowd as he entered the park for the first time and started his warm-up. Naderi emerged from the dugout alongside Rommens and Chukwuani midway through the first half and the reception was significantly louder on this occasion.
Had Naderi come on to replace Miovski with half an hour remaining, the North Macedonian could have had no complaints. Instead, Rohl opted to pair the strikers as the tactical switch he had hinted at in recent days was put into use.
With his fluorescent yellow boots and socks rolled down to his ankles, Naderi caught the eye. He covered the ground quickly and pressed relentlessly, naturally keen to make an impact. He really should have scored from 12 yards as his first attempt in a Rangers jersey went wide of the post.
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