Rangers 4-1 Kilmarnock: Gers come from behind to keep pressure on Celtic

Rangers came from behind to beat 10-man Kilmarnock 4-1 at Ibrox on Sunday to keep the pressure on Scottish Premiership title rivals Celtic.

After Celtic thumped Hearts 3-0 on Saturday, it looked like the Bhoys’ title charge could receive a further boost when James Tavernier put through his own net with 12 minutes gone at Ibrox after Liam Polworth’s cross was nudged back across goal by Matty Kennedy.

However, Kilmarnock’s Joe Wright was sent off for handling Dujon Sterling’s goalbound effort shortly after, and though Tavernier’s resulting spot-kick was brilliantly saved by Will Dennis, Rangers did get themselves back on level terms deep into first-half stoppage time as Fabio Silva turned home John Lundstram’s cross.

Ben Davies then bundled the hosts into the lead with 62 minutes on the clock after Dennis fumbled Lundstram’s long-range effort into the defender’s path, before substitute Tom Lawrence extended Rangers’ lead with a delightful strike from outside the box.

John Souttar sealed the win in the dying seconds with a close-range header, moving Rangers three points behind Celtic ahead of the crucial Old Firm derby next Saturday.

FULL-TIME: Rangers 4-1 Kilmarnock

Four Goals & Three Points for the Gers at Ibrox. pic.twitter.com/pIO8Anggok

— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) May 5, 2024

Data Debrief: Comeback kings

Rangers have now won 14 points from losing positions in the Scottish Premiership this season, with only Motherwell (19) having recovered more.

Kilmarnock, meanwhile, have lost 19 points from winning positions in the Scottish Premiership this season, with only Dundee (22) losing more.