Naderi double drives Rangers to top of Scottish Premiership

Ryan Naderi scored a first-half double as Rangers beat Kilmarnock in a Scottish Premiership match on 10 October 2026, helping the club record a sixth straight league victory and extend a seven-game winning run in all competitions.

Rangers produced the win after an extended international break, a result that followed their European exit and a slow start to the Premiership in which they took only one point from their opening two league games. The club now sit top of the table, a point ahead of Celtic, and much attention has shifted from their backline — which had conceded only once in five league matches until Nicky Clesenco’s late consolation — to Naderi’s growing influence up front. Former Rangers striker Peter Lovenkrands compared the German-born Czech Republic forward to Thomas Muller, saying: "Naderi at times does things where you're like 'How did he do that?'" and "He reminds me a lot of Thomas Muller - he's not nice on the eye at times, but he creates stuff because he's so unorthodox."

Naderi has found form in recent weeks, scoring three goals in his past two league games, including the winner in Rangers’ 1-0 victory at Celtic before the break and a brace against Kilmarnock. His move to Rangers in February from German third-tier side Hansa Rostock initially yielded little end product, with just one league goal and two in a League Cup win over Queen's Park last season. That earlier lack of impact left supporters sceptical, but his recent performances have shifted perceptions.

The 23-year-old has contributed six goals and three assists this season, often providing decisive interventions while filling in during the absences of Lawrence Shankland and Youssef Chermiti through injury. He supplied a crucial assist for Bojan Miovski’s late winner in the victory over St Mirren and has scored match-winning goals against Motherwell and Celtic as well as his two strikes versus Kilmarnock. Naderi also made his Czech Republic debut last week.

Manager Derek McInnes praised Naderi’s work rate and finishing, saying: "Yes, and fair play to him," and "He's always such an honest boy, he's willing to put defenders under pressure." McInnes added: "I've always felt as a striker that if the ball goes in the box, he'll score his goals. He's not the type of striker that creates a lot for himself, so he needs that service."

McInnes highlighted the striker’s recent impact when service arrives: "If we put the ball in the box, as we did in the first half, then he looks a threat." He also noted the player’s recent run of form: "He's had such a good few weeks. Everybody's so pleased for him. We need someone who would regularly be the goalscorer here at the club."

Former Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday flagged a changing perception of the side, saying: "A lot of my confidence doesn't come from Rangers being brilliant, it comes from Celtic being poor." He added: "Rangers are definitely building. They are becoming a much more predictable side - you go into games fancying them to win." and "You're starting to see a Derek McInnes side - really solid defensively and creating chances."

McInnes acknowledged a dip after the interval, describing the second-half display as "far from where we needed to be" and citing fatigue from the long break: "This break's been far too long," but he stressed the result mattered: "But we've got the job done, and credit the players for digging deep and getting three points." Rangers have now won seven consecutive matches in all competitions and sit top of the Scottish Premiership, a point above Celtic, who visit Motherwell on Sunday.