Ryan NaderiImage source, SNS
Image caption,

Ryan Naderi's double eased Rangers to the top of the Premiership with a sixth consecutive league win

At a glance

  • Rangers extend league winning run to six games - seven in all competitions - to go top of table

  • Naderi scores first-half double either side of Kelsy strike

  • Kilmarnock net late reply through Clescenco but remain point adrift at bottom

Rangers v Kilmarnock highlights

10/10/2026

ByMartin Dowden at Ibrox Stadium
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Rangers reached the Scottish Premiership summit for the first time this season and extended their league winning run to six games with victory over bottom side Kilmarnock.

Despite a bright opening from Neil McCann's visitors, they were three down by half-time with Ryan Naderi's double sandwiched by strike partner Kevin Kelsy's goal.

Kilmarnock did create a number of excellent chances and struck the post but lacked composure before substitute Nicky Clescenco netted a last-minute consolation to deny Rangers another clean sheet.

Victory moves Derek McInnes' side one point clear of Celtic, who face Motherwell on Sunday (12:00 BST).

The question was whether Rangers could hit the ground running again after the international break interrupted a fine run of form and results.

Initially, Kilmarnock looked a test but were undone when James Penrice delivered a wonderful cross that strikers thrive on. Naderi was in position to nod home from close range.

A second arrived shortly after when Kelsy benefitted from a bit of fortune after mis-controlling before creating space to finish well, although Kilmarnock defensively could have done better.

The third had a high degree of luck as Djeidi Gassama's shot struck Naderi and flew home just before the break. Everyone assumed that was job done.

It was in the end but Kilmarnock will wonder how they only netted once, with Clesenco finally clinical on the counter to score.

Rangers analysis: Positive times despite second-half drop-off

This was exactly the sort of outcome Rangers sought and going top of the table is a massive bonus even if it is shortlived.

Another big plus is the two strikers getting goals. Naderi now has three in two games and is really coming on as a Rangers starter.

McInnes' side were clinical when they had to be, in direct contrast to their opponents.

A consistency of selection with the same XI starting the past three games shows where Rangers are.

McInnes has conceded, despite their fine form, there is more required if they want to end the season as champions. The second half demonstrated that. Kilmarnock looked the better side and Rangers were maybe guilty of taking their foot off the gas a touch.

The late concession will frustrate, as will the second-half display as the chance was there to go on and produce an emphatic win, but Kilmarnock did well.

Six league victories on the trot within a seven-game winning run has Rangers exactly where their fans want them to be. Positive times at Ibrox.

Kilmarnock analysis: Lax defending and finishing proves costly

It's tricky assessing Kilmarnock on this evidence. They were pretty lax at the goals, conceding fairly cheaply despite doing a lot right in the game.

It seems bizarre to put forward too many positives after losing 3-1 but there were clear ones. McCann's men had so many good chances it was quite an achievement not to test Ivor Pandur more often.

Clescenco's late consolation was more than merited and you wonder what might have happened had they converted earlier.

Pandur produced one brilliant save from Aaron Tshibola, while the post and an offside call denied John-Jules and Joe Hugill. Erik Ring and Greg Kiltie had glaring chances but failed at the vital moment.

Hosting Motherwell next Saturday presents the chance to start turning the positive elements of what Kilmarnock produced into what is needed - points.

What the managers said

Figure caption,

'We've got to feel good about ourselves'

Rangers manager Derek McInnes: "The job today was to win the game.

"Eight of my starting XI were away travelling [on international duty].

"The break is too long for me and it impacts on clubs when there's so many away.

"Three good goals, my strikers scoring and we still created some chances in the second half even though we looked a bit lethargic.

"The players deserve a lot of credit. Seven wins in a row and top of the league - we've got to feel good about ourselves."

Kilmarnock boss Neil McCann: "We gifted Rangers three goals. I've got a real problem with the second one - I think it's a handball.

"It's not good enough to just win the second half. They have to believe in how good they can be. At 3-0 at Ibrox, it's easy to go under and they never did.

"It's very early in the season and the long international break has disrupted our rhythm. We need to start winning games of football and I believe we will."

Player of the match

Number: 20 R. Naderi
Average rating 7.72
Number: 20 R. Naderi
Average Rating: 7.72
Number: 29 J. Penrice
Average Rating: 7.51
Number: 1 I. Pandur
Average Rating: 7.44
Number: 24 O. Makhanya
Average Rating: 7.40
Number: 10 Kim Min-Su
Average Rating: 7.33
Number: 19 K. Kelsy
Average Rating: 7.09
Number: 21 D. Sterling
Average Rating: 6.98
Number: 6 D. Neil
Average Rating: 6.91
Number: 43 N. Raskin
Average Rating: 6.85
Number: 37 E. Fernandez
Average Rating: 6.79
Number: 23 D. Gassama
Average Rating: 6.61
Number: 18 K. Nedeljković
Average Rating: 5.88
Number: 52 F. Curtis
Average Rating: 5.66
Number: 28 B. Miovski
Average Rating: 5.38
Number: 42 T. Chukwuani
Average Rating: 5.37
Number: 26 B. Bouanani
Average Rating: 5.30

After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.