Rangers Secure Victory and Keep Title Hopes Alive
“It is a long way, but it’s not impossible,” said Rangers head coach Danny Rohl regarding his team's title aspirations ahead of Saturday's match against Kilmarnock.
Following a convincing 3-0 victory, Rangers now find themselves six points behind Hearts and Celtic, with a game in hand over the Edinburgh side.
Remaining undefeated in their last ten matches in the Scottish Premiership, Rangers have yet to suffer a league defeat under Rohl's leadership.
“Rangers weren’t brilliant tonight, but they brought a lot of energy to the game,” commented former striker Billy Dodds on BBC Sportsound. “Their finishing has been deadly for the first time this season. It was their quality that secured the win, which is something we don’t often attribute to Rangers.”
The visitors registered 11 shots at Rugby Park, with six on target. Although they created only one significant opportunity, they managed to score three goals. Rangers had an expected goals (xG) tally of 0.74, which matched Kilmarnock's xG, but the hosts failed to find the net.
“Today we were clinical and took our chances, unlike in Wednesday's 2-2 draw against Dundee United,” Rohl told BBC Scotland. “This is a positive step forward. We need to improve our game management, but tonight was a fantastic response. With five wins in seven matches, we are making progress.”
“We must continue to work hard, as every team wants to win against us or gain points. This league is challenging, and we need to put in the effort.”
Miovski Shines After Discussion with Rohl
A significant portion of Rangers' attacking threat came from Bojan Miovski, who scored twice in Ayrshire, doubling his tally for the season. This marked his first brace since December 20, 2023, when he played for Aberdeen against Livingston.
The North Macedonian forward had three shots from five touches in the opposition box, and Rohl shared insights from a recent motivational talk with the player. “We had a conversation, and he took a significant step forward against Dundee United,” the coach stated. “He had some good chances and is becoming more adaptable, not just remaining static, which aids our buildup play.”
“We discussed the spaces I want him to exploit, and he seems to have more freedom now, which benefits us greatly.”
Miovski echoed Rohl's sentiments in an interview with Sky Sports: “It feels good. I work really hard. As a player, I understand the importance of consistency. Having played three consecutive matches, I feel I am improving with each game, and I hope to maintain this momentum.”
“Sometimes you may not score, but it's crucial to keep working hard. I haven’t forgotten how to score goals, and I am confident that they will come.”
If Miovski can continue to find the back of the net, it appears that Rangers may have finally discovered the clinical edge that has eluded them this season.