Rangers back on course for title after Kilmarnock drubbing

Rangers 4

The Light Blues were rampant in a 4-0 demolition of Kilmarnock and the only regret for the Ibrox side was that they did not score more.

McLeish's side went back on top of the table on goal difference having needed to win by two goals to do so.

The Gers boss conceded he had chopped and changed in recent weeks, because he had not been happy with the form of certain players at a time when Celtic had clawed back an eight-point deficit to regain the lead.

But he was delighted with every contribution to a game that was all but won within seven minutes when Michael Mols netted twice.

Substitutes Shota Arveladze and Claudio Caniggia completed the rout late on and Rangers now travel to Hearts for the penultimate SPL game next week full of confidence.

"It was a great win," said McLeish. "The performance was very pleasing. Over the last month I have chopped and changed. I hadn't really wanted to but we had one or two players off the boil and that was what clouded my thinking a little bit. Today it all came together. They all played well and you could see what was at stake."

Ronald de Boer had missed a good chance when the game was literally a few seconds old and McLeish admitted he had feared it might be costly.

Killie boss Jim Jefferies admitted he had feared an even bigger defeat was on the cards.

"Rangers were different class today and I was delighted to get away with 4-0 because they had a hatful of chances.

"If they do finish level with Celtic, they could have easily have made it no play-off today with the number of goals they could have got.

"They were awesome."

The SPL title will be decided on goal difference if Celtic and Rangers finish level on points.

If goal difference tallies are equal, then goals scored comes into play and Rangers are leading, but if that finishes level then a one-off play-off decider will be staged at Hampden Park.

RANGERS: Klos, Ricksen, Moore, Amoruso, Numan, Arteta, Ferguson, Hughes, de Boer (McCann 87), Mols (Caniggia 76), Lovenkrands (Arveladze 45).

KILMARNOCK: Marshall, Shields, McLaughlin, Dindeleux, Fowler, Canero, Fulton (McDonald 71), Mahood, Di Giacomo, McLaren (Boyd 45), McSwegan (Locke 45).

Referee: A Freeland (Aberdeen).