Rangers 3-1 Kilmarnock: Abdallah Sima stunner as hosts get back to winning ways

Abdallah Sima scored a stunning volley as Rangers responded to their Old Firm defeat with Scottish Premiership victory over Kilmarnock.

Danny Armstrong converted a VAR-awarded penalty following John Souttar’s handball – the first Rangers have conceded in 75 league games – but Todd Cantwell restored the two-goal advantage.

Rangers, beaten by Celtic on Saturday, reduce the league leaders’ advantage to five points before they play St Mirren later. Kilmarnock, fourth, trail Hearts by five points.

The Vassell chance prompted Kilmarnock’s best spell of the game, though that was their best opening.

And it was against the run of play that Rangers took the lead. Cyriel Dessers, having gone close with a shot and a header, swept a superb pass from halfway in behind David Watson for McCausland to chase and finish.

Then came Sima’s moment. The winger received Connor Goldson’s pass on the 18-yard line, controlled, spun away from Joe Wright and lashed a shot past the helpless Will Dennis.

The half-time scoreline was harsh on Kilmarnock and they needed a response early in the second period.

They probed and when Rory McKenzie’s delivery struck Souttar’s arm, referee John Beaton reviewed at the monitor and pointed to the spot – the first Premiership penalty Rangers have conceded since January 2022. Armstrong scored confidently.

But the reprieve was short lived. Ridvan Yilmaz’s cross from the left perfectly met the near-post run of Cantwell and the midfielder applied the finish.

Rangers’ first signing of the January transfer window, Fabio Silva, came on for his debut in place of Dessers and James Tavernier, twice, and Cantwell tested Dennis in the final half-hour.

Player of the match – Abdallah Sima (Rangers)

Sima shows Rangers what they’ll be missing – analysis

With his 15th goal of the season, Sima demonstrated what Rangers will be missing when he goes to the African Cup of Nations with Senegal.

That tournament runs from 13 January to 11 February, meaning Sima could be unavailable until Rangers’ match with St Johnstone on 17 February.

The performance and result allowed Rangers to get their weekend disappointment out of their system and go into the winter break with a morale-boosting three points.

After winning the first meeting of the sides on the opening day of the season, Kilmarnock once again showed their ability to restrict Rangers for long spells.

If the passing from the hosts was not precise, there was usually a Killie boot or head in the way.

Going forward, the visitors were adept at getting into the right areas – particularly with the Vassell chance – but what will frustrate manager Derek McInnes is losing the third goal so soon after getting back into the contest at 2-1.

A late Liam Polworth shot would have made for an interesting finale had it not gone just wide.

What’s next?

Both sides are next in action in the Scottish Cup on 20 January. Kilmarnock host Dundee (15:00 GMT) and Rangers visit Dumbarton (17:30).