Ryan Naderi struck twice to give Rangers a 3‑1 victory over Kilmarnock at Ibrox, propelling the club to the top of the Scottish Premiership table. The German striker’s first goal came in the 15th minute, and he added a second just before the break, both from headed finishes that pushed his season tally to six. Kevin Kelsy also found the net for Rangers, scoring in the 24th minute, while Kilmarnock’s Nicky Clescenco scored a late consolation in the 90th minute.
The win marked Rangers’ sixth consecutive league triumph and their seventh overall in a row, but the hosts failed to keep a clean sheet for the first time in five matches. Klescenco’s late strike came from a counter‑attack that caught Rangers’ goalkeeper Ivor Pandur off guard, ending a run of five shutouts that had seen the club dominate the league defensively. Despite the late goal, Rangers’ performance in the second half was described by manager Derek McInnes as “less than impressive,” noting that the visitors missed several opportunities before finally scoring.
Kilmarnock, who finished the match with six shots on target compared to Rangers’ four, were unable to convert their chances. The team’s attacking play was hampered by a lack of creativity, and they were unable to break down a disciplined Rangers defense. The visitors’ only goal came from a substitute, highlighting the struggles of the club’s attack throughout the game.
With the result, Rangers leapfrogged Celtic to sit on top of the Premiership standings. Celtic will have the chance to reclaim the lead if they secure a result against Motherwell on Sunday, but the win gives Rangers a significant advantage in the title race. The victory also boosts the confidence of the Rangers squad as they prepare for the upcoming fixtures, while Kilmarnock will look to regroup and address their defensive lapses.