The Scottish Premiership title race has been turned on its head in the space of 24 hours. Following Hearts’ shock defeat in Paisley on Tuesday, Rangers moved to within three points of the summit with a ruthless, if at times patient, 5-1 dismantling of 10-man Kilmarnock at Ibrox.
While the scoreline suggests a cruise, the night was defined by a moment of early madness and a second-half blitz that saw Danny Röhl’s January signings begin to truly earn their keep.
The 193-Second Red Card
Any nerves inside Ibrox were settled almost instantly. With just over three minutes played, Djeidi Gassama used his explosive pace to get goal-side of Dom Thompson. The Killie full-back’s decision to haul down the winger left referee Steven McLean with no choice: a penalty and a straight red card.
Captain James Tavernier stepped up to coolly slot home the opener. At that stage, a cricket score seemed inevitable. However, a spirited Kilmarnock side, led by Neil McCann, dug in. Rangers dominated possession but struggled to find the killer blow before the break, even surviving a scare when Bruce Anderson missed a golden opportunity to equalise.
Miovski Sparks the Second-Half Surge
The second half saw a different Rangers. The restlessness of the crowd at 1-0 was silenced when Bojan Miovski, who had been quiet for much of the night, produced a moment of pure class, curling a strike into the top corner from the edge of the box.
From there, the floodgates opened:
- Andreas Skov Olsen marked his arrival in “Royal Blue” with a clinical finish—his first for the club since his January move.
- Oliver Antman added a fourth, showing the squad depth Röhl has built.
- Mikey Moore, the Spurs loanee, capped off a Man of the Match performance with a close-range fifth.
A momentary lapse from Jack Butland—fluffing a back-pass to gift Greg Kiltie a consolation goal—was the only blot on an otherwise perfect night for the Govan side.
“The mood changes quickly in this league. On Sunday we were disappointed; tonight, we see the fire. We move closer to our goal.” — Danny Röhl, Rangers Manager
Fitba Focus Verdict: Momentum Swings to Ibrox
With Celtic’s trip to Aberdeen postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, Rangers have leapfrogged their rivals into second place. More importantly, they have slashed the gap to Hearts to just three points and significantly boosted their goal difference.
The standout performer was undoubtedly Mikey Moore. The 18-year-old was instrumental in every attack, terrorising the Kilmarnock right-hand side. Alongside a promising debut from left-back Tuur Rommens, there is a sense that Röhl’s “January Revolution” is starting to click at the perfect time.
Up Next: Rangers look to keep the pressure on as the league enters a frantic February schedule. Can the 10-man habit cost Hearts again this weekend?
Co-Founder of Fitba Focus and MMA UK. A lifelong Rangers fan and former player, he combines over a decade of sports media experience with a deep-seated passion for the Scottish game. From the Ibrox stands to the lower-league terraces, Frankie is dedicated to providing honest, fan-led analysis of the full Scottish pyramid.
