Rangers overcame an early deficit to defeat 10-man Kilmarnock 3-2 at Rugby Park thanks to two goals from Alfredo Morelos.
Chris Stokes, a Killie defender, headed in a corner from six yards out to give his team a 1-0 lead in the decisive Premier League match. However, midway through the first half, a Colombian striker for Rangers equalized.
After the break, Ryan Kent scored before Kilmarnock winger Danny Armstrong was given the second of two yellow cards for elbowing left-back Borna Barisic, prompting referee Kevin Clancy to dismiss Armstrong.
In the 73rd minute, Morelos headed in his second goal from a Barisic cross, but Killie responded through defender Joe Wright in the 85th to ensure a tense conclusion.
In his eight games as Rangers manager, Michael Beale has won seven and drawn one. However, it was another uneven performance, and Rangers are still nine points behind unrelenting Celtic at the top of the table after the Hoops defeated St. Mirren 4-0 at Parkhead.
In their matchup with the Premier League's second-worst team, Rangers fans were in for a tougher night than they probably expected. Beale changed up his lineup on a chilly night in Ayrshire after a taxing 2-1 victory over Aberdeen on a draining Hampden Park surface on Sunday by adding goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin, Glen Kamara, and Scott Arfield.
With the return of Liam Polworth, Stokes, Ryan Alebiosu, Christian Doidge, and the home team made four changes, they had Rangers in a headlock early on and rightfully seized the lead.
Ash Taylor, the center defender, misdirected a corner kick for Rangers before Stokes used Armstrong's pass and his head to beat McLaughlin.
THERE WERE VISITORS EVERYWHERE.
Sam Walker, the Killie goalkeeper, had to dive low to stop a header from Connor Goldson in the 17th minute. At the other end, McLaughlin had to contend with a good curling effort from Armstrong.
When attacker Fashion Sakala raced on to a pass from team captain James Tavernier and squared for Morelos to sweep into the net from eight yards, Rangers were able to gain some stability. After a successful counterattack, Kent scored from within the box after receiving a ball from Morelos to give Beale's team a lead.
Wright, who had just missed a great opportunity by heading wide from 12 yards, was then sent off for a needless foul on Barisic. Armstrong had already received a booking for pulling back Kent earlier in the game. Morelos leapt six yards from goal and headed the ball in as Rangers pressed to capitalize on their additional man.
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