Rangers ended their Scottish Premiership campaign on a positive note with a convincing 5-2 victory over Falkirk at Falkirk Stadium.
A hat-trick from Youssef Chermiti inspired Danny Rohl’s side as Rangers halted a four-match losing run and secured a comfortable final-day success.
Falkirk, meanwhile, finished their first season back in the Scottish top flight in sixth place despite the defeat.
Chermiti scores twice early as Rangers race into control
Rangers made a blistering start and opened the scoring inside three minutes. Mikey Moore found Chermiti inside the area and the striker drove home from a tight angle to give the visitors an early lead.
Four minutes later, Chermiti doubled both his tally and Rangers’ advantage with a superb volley from the edge of the area after controlling the ball on his chest.
Falkirk were handed a route back into the game when Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland allowed a back pass to slip under his foot under pressure from Calvin Miller, resulting in an unfortunate own goal.
However, Rangers restored their two-goal cushion before the half-hour mark. Chermiti turned provider this time, delivering a low cross for Djeidi Gassama, who twisted past his marker and finished from close range.
Falkirk threaten comeback before Chermiti seals hat-trick
Falkirk reduced the deficit again shortly before half-time after a VAR review spotted a handball by Mohamed Diomande inside the box. Miller confidently converted the resulting penalty to make it 3-2 at the break.
But Rangers responded immediately after the restart. Tuur Rommens surged down the left wing and crossed perfectly for Chermiti, who powered home a header to complete his hat-trick.
The visitors continued to dominate and added a fifth goal with just over ten minutes remaining. Lewis Neilson fouled Chermiti inside the area and Thelo Aasgaard calmly converted the penalty.
Rohl ends difficult spell with positive finish
The victory allowed Danny Rohl to finish the campaign on a high after recent defeats had increased pressure on the Rangers head coach.
Chermiti’s performance also provided encouragement after questions had been raised about the striker following his big-money move to Ibrox last summer.
For Falkirk boss John McGlynn, the defeat could not overshadow an impressive season in which the club comfortably secured a top-six finish following promotion.
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