Rangers narrowed Hearts’ lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership to three points as they eventually dismantled 10-man Kilmarnock at Ibrox.

With the league leaders dropping points in Paisley last night, Danny Rohl’s side knew there was a chance to reduce the gap and, in pursuit of that goal, they made the perfect start.

There were only three minutes on the clock when Djeidi Gassama nipped in behind Dom Thompson, with the Killie full-back dragging down to the Rangers winger.

Tavernier tucked the penalty away, Thompson was sent off, and any fears about an upset were immediately allayed.

The first 15 minutes or so continued that narrative as Mikey Moore tore Kilmarnock’s right-hand side apart but the visitors started to slow the play down and even had a chance to equalise through Bruce Anderson, but the striker squandered it.

The single goal deficit at half-time was a surprise but in the second half, Rangers motored away from their tiring visitors.

Bojan Miovski, out of sorts for most the night, curled in a brilliant second from the edge of the box before Andreas Skov Olsen got his first in royal blue.

Kilmarnock were gifted a consolation by Rangers’ goalie Jack Butland, who completely fluffed a back pass and allowed Greg Kiltie to score from close range. The gap was too big by that point, but a moment to forget for the Rangers keeper.

But really, Kilmarnock had tired by then. Rangers’ fourth and fifth – tucked away by Oliver Antman and Moore from close range – looked easy, as they knocked the ball around slow legs and tucked them away inside the box.

With Celtic’s match against Aberdeen postponed, Rangers move second while Kilmarnock remain rooted in 11th.