After a poor start on the night which saw the Light Blues go 2-0 down inside 14 minutes, the response was an impressive one with Vaclav Cerny getting his team back in the game before a Cyriel Dessers double after half time turned the match on its head. Nedim Bajrami then rounded off the scoring towards the end as the new head coach’s first fixture resulted in three points.
The former Ibrox skipper got his reign underway in Ayrshire and named the same starting lineup from the Gers’ last outing, as they looked to respond to the defeat and return to winning ways in league action.
Unsurprisingly, the game started at a fast tempo at Rugby Park as both teams looked to assert themselves on the contest earlier on. The first opening fell the way of the hosts as it was worked from the left flank onto captain Brad Lyons, but his effort from outside the area was tipped over the top by Jack Butland.
The next change just a minute later as it was this time the visitors who tested the goalkeeper. A clipped ball into the area was met by Ianis Hagi before captain James Tavernier flicked it onto Hamza Igamane, whose smart effort on the volley produced a clever stop from Kieran O’Hara between the Killie posts.
After a frantic period and several corners in succession, it was Killie who made a set piece count. An in swinging delivery from Fraser Murray found the head of the unmarked Joe Wright at the back post as the defender headed it into the net to put the hosts ahead inside the opening 10 minutes.
The hosts were then quick to pounce on an opportunity inside the Rangers half and did so emphatically as they quickly made it two. Clinton Nsiala’s downward header saw Nico Raskin slightly hesitate as Brad Lyons was able to turnover the ball and place a shot beyond Butland to double the advantage.
It was almost three just short of the 20-minute mark as the hosts grew in confidence from having the early lead. A chance opened up on the right flank as it was played across to the arriving Marley Watkins, but the striker got his finish wrong on the stretch as he fired well wide.
Rangers made a change on the half-hour mark to try change their fortunes having been outplayed for the most part of the game. Ridvan Yilmaz replaced Clinton Nsiala as James Tavernier moved into the middle of the backline.
The away side then had their best opening of the game and should have halved the advantage but for some impressive Killie defending. Hamza Igamane combined with Hagi as the Moroccan gained a yard before being held up inside the area. He squared the ball to Cyriel Dessers who saw his shot blocked before Hagi’s effort was kept out by the goalkeeper.
Rangers then got themselves back in the contest through Vaclav Cerny. A break of the ball in the middle of the pitch was latched onto by Mohamed Diomande, his pass set the Czech Republic international through on goal as he made no mistake by slotting it beyond O’Hara to half the deficit.
The Light Blues seemed to take a renewed confidence of their own from getting on the scoresheet and continued to go in search of an equaliser. Cerny did well to hold the ball up after receiving it from Dessers, he returned the favour for the forward inside the area who saw his shot blocked before the assistant put an end to the attack by raising his flag for offside.
Rangers looked to get a foothold in the game after the restart. Jefte was able to turnover the ball inside his own half and carry it over 40 yards before picking out Cerny. The winger’s initial pass into the box was half cleared before his second effort n his right side was lashed wide of the target.
After showing their intent the Gers got themselves right back into the contest through Cyriel Dessers. A corner kick was swung in by the captain as the forward was well placed to head it into the net through the legs of O’Hara as Rangers got back on level terms at two goals apiece.
The game hit a period of stoppages before Rangers completed their comeback and turned the match on its head. A long Ridvan pass over the top saw Dessers run in behind the Killie defence and expertly finish off the ball first time into the far corner to put the away side ahead for the first time on the evening.
The contest remained edgy with Rangers holding their slender advantage. The hosts had an opportunity to level up the match at 3-3 as Murray’s effort stung the palms of Butland, but the goalkeeper did well to push the ball away from the danger area.
Rangers then gave themselves breathing space in what was a thrilling contest with a goal on the counter-attack to make it four with just over five minutes of normal time remaining. After winning the ball inside their own half Diomande carried it up with no players round about him and acres of space to drive into. He got his head up and picked out substitute Nedim Bajrami to his right who slotted it into the back of the net through the keeper’s legs to put the result beyond doubt.
The Gers then saw out the match comfortably to win at Rugby Park by more than a single-goal margin for the first time since their title winning display in 2011, as they now prepare to host Motherwell to Ibrox this weekend.
KILMARNOCK: O’Hara, Ndaba, Wright, Mayo, Deas (Watson 81), Lyons, Armstrong (Donnelly 61), Murray, Magennis (Polworth 70), Watkins (Cameron 81), Wales
SUBS: McCrorie, Wilson-Brown, Kennedy, Anderson, Ramsay
RANGERS: Butland, Tavernier, Propper, Nsiala (Ridvan 30), Jefte, Raskin, Diomande, Cerny (McCausland 87), Hagi (Lawrence 78), Igamane (Bajrami 78), Dessers
SUBS: Kelly, Fernandes, Rice, Curtis, Danilo