Naderi double sends Rangers top with sixth straight league win

Rangers moved to the top of the Scottish Premiership after Ryan Naderi scored twice in the first half against Kilmarnock, helping Derek McInnes' side secure a sixth consecutive league victory. BBC Sport reported that the result put Rangers a point ahead of Celtic, who were due to visit Motherwell on Sunday with the opportunity to reclaim first place.

Watch the highlights:

The home side led 3-0 at the interval but could not maintain that level after the break. Nicky Clesenco scored a late consolation for Kilmarnock, whose second-half performance caused Rangers problems. McInnes acknowledged that his team's display after half-time fell short of his expectations, citing fatigue and the extended international break while crediting his players for securing the points.

Naderi's double took him to three goals across his past two league appearances, following his winner in the 1-0 victory away to Celtic before the break. The 23-year-old had also made his Czech Republic debut during the intervening international period. His recent contribution has come with fellow forwards Lawrence Shankland and Youssef Chermiti unavailable through injury.

The striker joined Rangers from German third-tier club Hansa Rostock in February and scored just once in the league last season, alongside two goals against Queen's Park in the League Cup. BBC Sport reported that he now has six goals and three assists this season. His decisive contributions have included winners against Motherwell and Celtic, plus an assist for Bojan Miovski's late winner against St Mirren.

McInnes praised Naderi's willingness to pressure defenders and said the forward was most effective when team-mates supplied him inside the penalty area. The manager pointed to the first-half service against Kilmarnock as an example of how Rangers could use his strengths. He also stressed the importance of having a player who could provide goals consistently.

The victory extended Rangers' winning sequence in all competitions to seven matches, a marked change from a start that brought European elimination and one point from their opening two league fixtures. Before facing Kilmarnock, they had conceded only once across their previous five Premiership matches. Rangers reached first place for the first time this season, although Celtic's remaining weekend fixture left the leadership unsettled.