Danny Rohl's first domestic game in charge ended with Rangers' first home league win of the season, with Youssef Chermiti's goal completing an ultimately comfortable win over Kilmarnock.

The Ibrox side were the only Scottish Premiership team yet to win at home before this, but three points moves them up to fifth place and within five of city rivals Celtic, albeit they still trail pace-setters Hearts by 13 points.

Portuguese striker Chermiti - who has been much maligned since his reported £8m arrival from Everton - put the gloss on a tidy performance with his first goal in two and a half years.

The 21-year-old's ferocious strike from distance deceived goalkeeper Eddie Beach and came after fellow forward Danilo ended a league drought that stretched back to the New Year derby against Celtic.

His header from an excellent Jayden Meghoma cross shortly after the break settled any nerves after a dogged Kilmarnock had cancelled out Rangers' early advantage, earned thanks to Derek Cornelius' header from a James Tavernier free-kick.

Rangers' early dominance didn't last the half, though, after goalkeeper Jack Butland completely missed an inswinging corner, allowing George Stanger to stab in an equaliser from close range.

Butland's opposite number Beach almost had a horror moment of his own when his attempted clearance clattered off Cornelious and rebounded for Bojan Miovski to score, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside.

Kilmarnock's discipline and energy kept them in the match, even after Danilo nodded in off the post shortly after the break, but a second equaliser proved beyond them and Chermiti's fine hit put the result beyond doubt.

Frustration, then, for Stuart Kettlewell's visitors but a much-needed victory for Rohl as he tries to find his best side and formation.

It will take time but at least he's sent the Rangers faithful away savouring three points at home for the first time this term.

There was more energy in the Rangers team here. They moved the ball faster and got up the pitch quicker.

Rohl had also clearly instructed Thelo Aasgaard and Djeidi Gassama to get higher up the pitch when the Ibrox side were in comfortable possession, effectively giving them a front four with Danilo and Bojan Miovski.

Nico Raskin and Mohamed Diomande provided a strong base in midfield and, while they are very far from the finished article, the early signs appear promising.

There was an energy and resilience about Rangers. They scored three goals and very nearly had a fourth, Nico Raskin being denied by the tighest of VAR offside calls.

Rohl's side will now approach two huge matches this week with a dollop of confidence restored, albeit some familiar old failings remaining in evidence. Goalkeeper Butland failing to deal with a routine corner, for one.

Kilmarnock's determination and organisation was to be admired. They defended with honesty and commitment, which meant they were always in the match until Chermiti's killer third 15 minutes from time.

They rode their luck and weren't able to pose enough questions to their hosts at the other end of the field. Rangers, ultimately had a little too much quality.

This defeat is unlikely to derail what's been a solid start to the season, though, with the Ayrshire side right in the mix for the top six in a very congested table.

Rangers head coach Danny Rohl: "Very important to get the three points. We know the table, we need wins. It's a good starting point to turn things around, it was a good step forward.

"It's still a long journey, but I'm happy for the club, the staff and the players. I enjoyed seeing my team. Not everything was perfect, but I saw a lot of good things."

Kilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell: "We've conceded six goals in two games. You look at the nature of those goals, it's completely unacceptable.

"Sometimes players make mistakes, they're human beings, but when we collect the six goals over two games it becomes something we have to rectify. We can't just accept that."

It's a big week for both clubs. Rangers travel to Easter Road on Wednesday to face Hibs (19:45 GMT), before meeting Celtic at Hampden in Sunday's League Cup semi-finals (14:00).

Kilmarnock host Aberdeen on Wednesday (19:45), before a trip to Falkirk on Saturday (15:00).