Naderi double sends Rangers top with 3-1 win over Kilmarnock

Rangers moved to the top of the Scottish Premiership with a 3-1 home victory over Kilmarnock on Saturday, scoring all three of their goals before half-time. Ryan Naderi struck twice and Kevin Kelsy also scored at Ibrox. Press Association reporting published by The Irish News said the result was Rangers' sixth consecutive league win and put them one point ahead of Celtic.

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Kilmarnock had an early opportunity before the hosts took control. According to the visitors' official match report, Tyreece John-Jules released Joe Hugill behind the defence, but the striker could not make the chance count. Naderi then opened the scoring with a close-range header from James Penrice's cross, turning an opening at the other end into a Rangers advantage.

Kelsy's effort increased the lead after taking a deflection off George Stanger. Kilmarnock's account said a VAR review followed a possible handball, but the goal stood. Naderi added the third shortly before the interval, getting a touch to an effort from Gassama. That left the visitors facing a three-goal deficit despite having created further shooting chances for Hugill and Erik Ring.

Kilmarnock continued to threaten after the break. Their report described a John-Jules goal being ruled out for offside during the build-up, another effort from the striker hitting the outside of the post, and Ivor Pandur saving Aaron Tshibola's long-range shot. Substitute Nicky Clescenco eventually scored following a counterattack, with Hugill supplying the pass for the finish.

McInnes was pleased with Rangers' first-half finishing but acknowledged that their overall play had lacked cohesion, according to the Press Association report. He pointed to the extended international break and said the second-half performance fell short of what was required. Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann, meanwhile, regretted both the goals his side conceded and the opportunities they failed to take.

The result continued Rangers' progress after their 1-0 league victory at Celtic Park before the break. The SPFL's report of that September 20 match recorded Naderi as the scorer and said Rangers had closed to within two points of Celtic. Celtic visit Motherwell on Sunday, giving them the next opportunity to respond to the change at the top.