Rangers

Rangers respond to last Sunday's Old Firm Viaplay Cup final defeat by cutting Celtic's Scottish Premiership lead to six points thanks to a clinical ...

- Squad number7Player nameHagiAverage rating - Squad number20Player nameMorelosAverage rating - Squad number4Player nameLundstramAverage rating - Squad number14Player nameKentAverage rating - Squad number26Player nameDaviesAverage rating - Squad number31Player nameBarisicAverage rating - Squad number6Player nameGoldsonAverage rating Todd Cantwell (Rangers) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Alfredo Morelos (Rangers) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. McInnes will take comfort in his players' second-half display, though. The Ayrshire side's soft touch in defence will also be of concern. "We looked strong, it was whether we were going to be ruthless in the final third.

RANGERS continued their unbeaten Premiership run to reduce the deficit to Celtic to six points in the title race with victory over Kilmarnock.

The visitors had to strike again quickly if they were going to produce a remarkable fightback and time was soon against them. Rangers played with more purpose from the off and they carried more of a threat. The longer Killie kept it goalless, the greater chance they had of ending their wretched record on the road this term. The position of chairman Douglas Park continues to divide It is fair to say that many didn’t agree with their manager’s calls before or during the game or his justifications for them afterwards. When Tavernier fired home from the spot with just seconds of the half remaining, that was that for Rangers. The other three that dropped out – John Lundstram, Glen Kamara and Alfredo Morelos – could have no complaints. Quite how Beale’s side could be so commanding and then so nervous either side of the interval is a mystery. It was a case of job done for Rangers. It was a strange afternoon in many ways. Rangers owed the Ibrox crowd an apology and a performance. Goldson made the decisive intervention to set Beale’s side on their way.

Rangers cut the gap at the top of the Premiership to six points with the win on Saturday.

Ryan Jack had the ball in the net in the closing stages but the goal was ruled out for offside and the game ended 3-1. Kilmarnock had the first real chance of the second half when they had players queuing up in the box after the Rangers defence were caught out by a quick free-kick. Fans had been calling for Nicolas Raskin and Todd Cantwell to start and they got their wish when Beale named a new look midfield with the two new signings alongside Ryan Jack in the middle of the park.

Supporters' contentment turned to consternation however, when Killie defender Jeriel Dorsett reduced the deficit on the hour mark and the home side could ...

Time for change' which received a round of applause from around the stands but soon the fans were cheering the much-needed early goal. The home side took complete command. A section of the Gers support held up banner which read: 'After fifty-five titles. Jeriel Dorsett cut the deficit to just two with a header on the hour mark as Allan McGregor went for the ball Following a short corner, Cantwell had two efforts blocked before Colak tried his luck with a drive which brought a save from Sam Walker - but when the ball fell to Goldson the Light Blues defender swept the ball in from eight yards. Defender Connor Goldson's goal after six minutes prevented the visitors settling into the game and winger Fashion Sakala doubled the lead with a drive on 25 minutes before skipper James Tavernier scored from the spot just before the break after VAR had identified handball.

The former striker has taken a playful jibe at Rangers after their victory over Killie.

[VAR](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/all-about/var) and referee Willie Collum eventually pointed to the spot after a lengthy check, although McInnes had no complaints about it being given post-match. A lot of dissatisfaction last week losing the cup to your big rivals, Celtic. Then they got a third through James Tavernier's penalty when Ryan Alebiosu was deemed to have handled the ball inside the box following a challenge on Ryan Kent.

The Montenegrin winger was happy to get his hands on his first trophy as a Celtic player with the victory at Hampden last weekend.

They always go with different players and don’t stay as a group.” “It’s always a nice feeling [to win trophies] and I am very happy for me and the team and for my family. My memories will be of just celebrating with the team, having fun and being happy with the boys.

Hagi is back in action for Rangers after 13 months out following a serious knee injury picked up last season in the Scottish Cup against Stirling Albion.

He said: "I have not included Ianis in the squad and myself and the staff of the national team do not want to force things with him. [Rangers](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/all-about/rangers-fc) after 13 months out following a serious knee injury picked up last season in the [Scottish Cup](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/all-about/scottish-cup) against Stirling Albion. He returned to action last month as a sub in a league win against St Johnstone and then started the Scottish Cup game against [Partick Thistle](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/all-about/partick-thistle-fc) before being hooked at half time.

Michael Beale expects a response and his players know they must find one against Derek McInnes' side.

The defender nodded the ball past Allan McGregor who couldn't get a hand to hit. After a tough week, an early goal was just what Rangers needed to settle any anxiety after the disappointment suffered in the loss to [Celtic](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/all-about/celtic-fc) at the national stadium. Collum was quick to flash the yellow. Rangers are definitely showing a bit of complacency in this second 45 and Kilmarnock will feel their goal is deserved. On the stroke of half-time Willie Collum was sent to the VAR screen to check on a possible penalty. [Connor Goldson](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/all-about/connor-goldson) and Fashion Sakala before a James Tavernier penalty on the stroke of half-time was rich reward after a dominant first half showing. His efforts were summed up when he sprinted full pelt to catch a loose ball and save his side conceding a goal kick as well as showing his trademark tidy neat and tidy passing. Overall there's still a lot of positives to take for Michael Beale. James Tavernier gave Walker no chance in the Killie goal with the pen to make it 3-0 at the break. Derek McInnes wanted a reaction and got one through Jeriel Dorsett who pulled one back for the Rugby Park men on the 60th minute. Fashion Sakala doubled the lead for the Ibrox side in the 25th minute after he linked up with Antonio Colak in the 18-yard box. Ange Postecoglou’s [Celtic](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/all-about/celtic-fc) will now go to St Mirren on Sunday lunchtime as they look to regain their nine-point lead at the summit.

Live updates as Rangers host Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership looking to bounce back from their Scottish League Cup final defeat.

Gers players and fans were still smarting from the Viaplay Cup final defeat to Old Firm rivals Celtic at Hampden Park last Sunday, Michael Beale's first ...

Stephane Omeonga then put through his own goal and Mykola Kukharevych added a fourth. Elie Youan scored twice before the break for Hibs, with Jack Fitzwater then sent off for Livi. Baldwin was sent off for bringing down Kevin van Veen, who then went on to score twice for the Steelmen.

Or else. The inference was that, based on historical precedent, the Rangers manager who consistently fails to beat Celtic can't remain Rangers' manager. The job ...

Rangers have to win the next two derby matches because a double-digit lead for Celtic is unthinkable in the eyes of the fans. Meantime, they and the manager could get a pick-me-up if lightning were to strike twice in Paisley today when Celtic take on St Mirren. It reminded me of Phil Brown’s half-time rollicking of his Hull City players when they were four down against Manchester City at the Etihad back in 2008. The response was that the idea would have to be run past Postecoglou for his consent. Ange might have inherited chaos but he has established order to an extent that Rangers fans have become restive before Beale has even reached the landmark of 20 games in charge. A mood swing developed thereafter that unseated the manager and unveiled Beale as his successor. But this is not a ringing endorsement of the man in charge at Ibrox. Beale must now see the date of the next meeting with Celtic on April 8 in neon lights on his office calendar. Plenty of people associated with the club believe success for Beale is more likely to come after Postecoglou has been lured away from Celtic Park. The decoded version of that statement was that Beale had to win the two league games between the clubs that remain outstanding. Death traditionally introduces a sense of perspective – or at the very least a pause for reflection. And they don’t want to hear that Rangers are “competing against the odds” either.

For 45 minutes, his players had their minds on the job. Goals from Connor Goldson and Fashion Sakala, along with a James Tavernier penalty, gave them the ...

He whipped a cross in after Rangers fell asleep at a free-kick and Ash Taylor should have scored but hit the side-netting. Jordan Jones was introduced at the internal and gave them more impetus in attack. Colak lashed a shot just over the bar before – with the help of VAR – it was 3-0. Instead, it turned into a real toil after the break. Rangers players appealed but ref Willie Collum waved play on before eventually being asked to have a look at the monitor. It was the fast start Beale would have been looking for. Beale admits he was shocked by the second-half show after a dominant opening period. Set-piece coach Harry Watling took the credit from Beale on the touchline after a training ground corner paid off. And that could have resulted in Rangers not getting the full reward for their earlier efforts. There was good energy about us (in the first 45 minutes). But Beale has barely been able to get a full shift out of this group since his return to the club. After the break here they clocked off, got lazy and put their feet up.

The Montenegro international loves a squad with no cliques which is enhanced by their Japanese stars.

“It’s always nice to win a trophy and I am very happy. “We believe in the manager and do it every day in training. The team are still hungry and want to win more but we are focusing on St Mirren now. “You want to play every game but I am also fine with it because it brings the best out of you. [Haksabanovic ](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/all-about/rangers-fc)believes it’s a united nations with everyone working under the one flag. [Reo Hatate](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/all-about/reo-hatate) and Tomoki Iwata have all integrated into a cosmopolitan squad with no cliques.

The 25-year-old former Norwich midfielder helped the Gers to a 3-1 cinch Premiership win over Kilmarnock at Ibrox on Saturday as Michael Beale's side responded ...

McInnes told Kilmarnock's YouTube channel: ” We were poor first half and lost the first goal after six minutes. “I am starting to feel I have a better understanding with the players which is something that is only going to get better and, personally, I feel like I am moving in the right direction.” “It had been a long while where I hadn't had a consistent run of games, but I am starting to feel match-fit again, which is really good.

The Sportscene panel felt McGregor got away with one after Willie Collum didn't penalise him for bringing down Rory McKenzie.

He’s shown real flashes that the fans will like him and will become a key member of the team.” “He’s highly regarded and has something like 50 youth caps through the various ages with Belgium, which is very impressive. McKenzie beat him to the ball and in an attempt to get after it McGregor clumsily bundled over the [Killie](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/all-about/kilmarnock-fc) wide man, something which left McInnes angry at full-time. “He might be small, but he’s what I'd consider a wiry type player. And it was his work that led to what James McFadden believes should have seen [McGregor](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/all-about/allan-mcgregor) penalised by Willie Collum. The hosts responded to last weekend’s Viaplay Cup final disappointment by going three goals up in Killie before the break thanks to Connor Goldson, James Tavernier and Fashion Sakala.

The 25-year-old says he is 'playing with a smile again' at Rangers.

McInnes told Kilmarnock’s YouTube channel: ” We were poor first half and lost the first goal after six minutes. “I am starting to feel I have a better understanding with the players which is something that is only going to get better and, personally, I feel like I am moving in the right direction.” “It had been a long while where I hadn’t had a consistent run of games, but I am starting to feel match-fit again, which is really good.

Football Insider has been told by Alan Hutton that Scott Wright could be axed by Rangers at the end of the season as they set up for a "massive" summer.

“There is going to be a big turnaround I think. There is a big recruitment drive coming up.“ I think he needs to do more.

Antonio Colak started against Kilmarnock and Boyd can't see a way back for the Colombian under Beale.

“You look at Colak and I don't think he’s an all round as good a player as Alfredo Morelos. Looking at it right now, I can't see a future at Rangers for Alfredo Morelos.” "That’s the clear difference from Rangers to Celtic at this moment in time. He compared El Buffalo to Kyogo Furuhashi as an example of the difference between Gers and their city rivals. [Rangers](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/all-about/rangers-fc) future, insisting the Colombian’s time at the club is up. [Antonio Colak](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/all-about/antonio-colak) was given the nod against Kilmarnock with [Morelos](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/all-about/alfredo-morelos) left to cool his heels on the bench.

Andy Newport took your calls and there was little sympathy for Dundee United, who callers reckon are doomed under Jim Goodwin.

But Steven Munro called in to say: “That was a the very definition of a game of two halves. Who does the medicals, the scouting, the history background and who backs with money? Robert Pender added: “Whoever sanctioned the signing of so many injury-prone players should be held to question. But the second half was like watching a repeat of the Viaplay Cup final with far too many sloppy mistakes. Cantwell looks very good too with his ball control and his passing when running with the ball at his feet. But while Beale was purring over the former PAOK ace’s performance in Saturday’s 3-1, there were fan frustrations over the opportunities the Light Blues coughed up for Killie in a sub-standard second-half showing.

Rangers Charity Foundation graduates played police officers in a special friendly football game.