Rangers bounced back from their Old Firm defeat with a 3-1 victory over Kilmarnock to close the gap on Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic to five points.
Gers lost ground in the title race after losing 2-1 to their rivals in the final game of 2023 last week but responded with a comfortable win over fourth-placed Killie.
Ross McCausland scored Rangers’ opener in the 41st minute but only after Jack Butland made a big save to deny Kyle Vassell from giving the visitors the lead.
Abdallah Sima made it two before the break with a spectacular volley although Daniel Armstrong pulled one back early in the second half with a penalty, the first spot kick awarded against Rangers since January 2022.
But Todd Cantwell restored the home side’s two-goal lead with a close-range finish to end on a high going into the winter break.
How Rangers bounced back from Old Firm loss
Ross McCausland celebrates his first Scottish Premiership goal for Rangers
The afternoon began with a poignant minute’s silence in tribute to the 66 fans who died in the Ibrox Disaster on January 2, 1971, before Rangers looked to make amends for their weekend woes by starting with pace and purpose.
In the seventh minute a shot from Gers attacker Cyriel Dessers on the turn struck the outside of the post.
Killie keeper Will Dennis then turned a deflected drive from Sima past the post for a corner which came to nothing before Dessers headed a cross from left-back Ridvan Yilmaz just over the bar.
However, in the 28th minute a pass from Killie substitute David Watson, on for the injured Liam Donnelly, split the square Gers defence to find captain Kyle Vassell running clear on goal but Ibrox goalkeeper Butland raced out to block the shot with his foot.
That was enough to bring groans tumbling down from the stands but in the 41st minute, just as Killie sensed an opener was there for the taking, they conceded when Dessers’ terrific raking pass sent McCausland through on goal and the Northern Ireland international drove it low into the corner of the net.
The Light Blues did not take long to double their lead, Sima taking a cross into the box from Connor Goldson on his chest four minutes later, before turning and hammering the ball past Dennis from 12 yards for his 15th goal of the season before he goes on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Senegal.
Abdallah Sima’s stunning effort doubled Rangers’ lead before half-time
Killie came out fighting at the start of the second half and there was VAR check for a penalty when McKenzie’s cross struck the arm of defender John Souttar, in for suspended Leon Balogun, before going out.
Referee John Beaton went to his pitch-side monitor and then pointed to the spot with Armstrong giving Butland no chance.
Kilmarnock’s Daniel Armstrong scores from the penalty spot
It could have returned the nerves to Ibrox but three minutes later Cantwell converted a Yilmaz cross from close range for his second goal in three games.
Dennis saved a decent drive from Gers skipper James Tavernier and Dessers took too long when presented with a chance and was crowded out, before he was replaced by Wolves loanee Silva.
In the 75th minute Cantwell should have scored again with only Dennis to beat but shot straight at the keeper before Rangers continued to keep a spirited Rugby Park side at bay until the final whistle.
What’s next?
The Scottish Premiership now stops for the winter break, with all teams returning to action in the Scottish Cup.
Rangers are away to League Two side Dumbarton on January 20 at 5.30pm.
Kilmarnock have and an all Scottish Premiership clash with Dundee on January 20. Kick-off 3pm.