George Overhill

Tue 2 January 2024 17:20, UK

Rangers bounced back from the controversial defeat to Celtic with a relatively comfortable 3-1 win over Kilmarnock at Ibrox on 2 January.

The home side started brightly and hit the post through Cyriel Dessers before sloppiness crept in as the half went on and Jack Butland had to produce a great save to keep Kyle Vassell out, but a stunning one-two punch saw Ross McCausland and Abdallah Sima send the Gers in at the break with a two-goal lead.

Dessers laid on a beautiful assist with the through-ball for McCausland to fire low into the bottom corner in the 41st minute, before Sima chested a ball up into the air on the edge of the box and hammered it home himself on the volley.

John Souttar was penalised for a handball following a VAR review as a cross deflected off his arm to allow Danny Armstrong to pull one back just inside an hour, but Todd Cantwell quickly restored the two-goal advantage as he flicked home a Ridvan Yilmaz ball at the front post.

Here, Ibrox News rates the Rangers players out of 10 for their performances.

Jack Butland – 8

Made a vital save from Vassell inside half an hour after the forward was played clean through with the scores goalless. Couldn’t do much when sent the wrong way with the penalty.

James Tavernier – 6

Quite a muted game from the captain for much of the day. Looked to get forward early but couldn’t influence the play like he usually does although he improved later on and went close with another free kick.

Connor Goldson – 6

Started comfortably but mistakes crept in as the game went on. Went down in the box in the first half in similar fashion to some recent penalty awards but John Beaton wasn’t interested. Got an important head on a few balls into the Rangers box but almost caused a catastrophe when he stepped right out to the halfway line and Vassell was played into acres of space behind him for a huge chance.

John Souttar – 4

Unfortunate afternoon. Scruffy performance in the first 45 minutes as a replacement for the suspended Leon Balogun, where he threatened to get caught in possession in dangerous areas but just about held it together. May have been slightly unlucky to be penalised but it was his handball that saw Beaton point to the penalty spot after a VAR review.

Ridvan Yilmaz – 7

Good game. Energetic showing from the off but moves going forward broke down at the final ball, although one nice cross found Dessers’ head and perhaps should have been a goal. It all came together for Cantwell’s goal as he surged down the left and played a low ball to the front post to be turned home.

John Lundstram – 5

Not at the level he has been generally under Philippe Clement as he looked slightly overwhelmed at times when Derek McInnes’ men looked to be taking control before the break.

Kieran Dowell (off for Sterling ’71) – 6

Up and down game as he linked up well for some threatening attacking moves but offered little resistance defensively as Kilmarnock threatened to take control before the two Rangers goals. Looked very good going forward but perhaps offers less control in the centre of the line up.

Ross McCausland (off for Matondo ’84) – 7

Energetic without making a huge impact for much of the game but put Rangers ahead against the run of play with an excellent low finish before the break as he ran onto Dessers’ beautiful cross-field ball.

Todd Cantwell (off for Raskin ’88) – 7

Looked close to his best during a sharp start, driving forward with the ball and knocking it around nicely, before his influence looked to be fading. Came up big with a quick response to the Kilmarnock penalty with a nice near-post run and finish. Should have added a fourth when played clean through but couldn’t beat Will Dennis.

Abdallah Sima (off for Wright ’84) – 9 (Man of the Match)

Displayed the quality that will surely make him a permanent transfer priority once again with his wonder goal before the half. Saw an early shot almost deflected inside the near post as he grew into the game in the first half before he doubled the Light Blues lead with a stunner just before the half when he volleyed home after knocking the ball into the air himself. Quieter after the break but again produced a crucial contribution.

Cyriel Dessers (off for Silva ’71) – 7

Important work to help break the deadlock but again frustrating at times. Led the line fairly well in general but lacked the finishing touches to more then a few moves until his perfect pass split the visitors’ defence for McCausland to score. Went close early with a low shot off the outside of the post and should have done better with a header midway through the half after being found by Yilmaz, while he hesitated to pull the trigger with a threatening second-half chance.

Substitutions

Dujon Sterling (on for Dowell ’71) – 7

Introduced some more control in the midfield after his introduction to see off any threat of a Kilmarnock comeback.

Fabio Silva (on for Dessers ’71) – 7

Showed some exciting quality on the ball as he drove forward late on and linked up with this new teammates but finishing will need to improve.

Rabbi Matondo (on for McCausland ’84) – 6

Scott Wright (on for Sima ’84) – 6

Nico Raskin (on for Cantwell ’88) – N/A

In other Rangers news, the Gers and Old Firm rivals are gearing up for another potential transfer battle.