Rangers ensured there was no European hangover when they handed out a 4-0 thrashing to Kilmarnock in the Bank of Scotland Premier League.

Goals from Kris Boyd, Julien Rodriguez, Dado Prso and Peter Lovenkrands secured all three points in a game which also saw Killie goalkeeper Alan Combe pick up a late red card.

The victory allowed Rangers to move to within six points of second-placed Hearts, who were held to a goalless draw at Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

It was nice while it lasted but, with the Champions League adventure now over, Rangers had to get down to serious business in the SPL.

Alex McLeish had much lamented the difficulties of coping with the demands of both competitions, but knew his players had to get to grips with their domestic campaign or face the possibility of no European football at all next season.

Despite a stirring display in Villarreal midweek - the Spanish side progressed on away goals - McLeish had hinted at freshening his team so changes for the visit of Kilmarnock were not a complete surprise.

But Lovenkrands, who netted in both legs against Villarreal, must have been wondering what he did to deserve being relegated to the bench, along with Hamed Namouchi.

Prso returned from suspension to claim one of the vacancies, while Boyd was given the nod for the visit of his former club.

It was Barry Ferguson - another inspirational figure in El Madrigal Stadium - who almost drew first blood with a speculative long-range effort, which he drilled in an inch wide of target.

Boyd then nodded over from a Chris Burke corner, before the winger sent an effort of his own fizzing wide.

But Rangers - and Boyd - only had to wait until the 13th minute to find the back of the net.

Prso's cut-back was met by Burke but, rather than having a go himself, he picked out Boyd on the edge of the six-yard box and the finish was clinical as the former Kilmarnock striker stabbed home.

Only a timely clearance from Frazer Wright prevented him from grabbing his second soon after.

Killie had barely troubled the Rangers goal and they suffered a further set-back when on-loan defender Lindsay Wilson hobbled off after 23 minutes and was replaced by David Lilley.

They knew all too well how dangerous Boyd could be - he had netted 17 goals for them this term before his January switch to Ibrox - and he was causing problems again as the game headed towards half time.

He collected a through ball from Ferguson, before turning his marker on the edge of the area and lashing a shot at goal but goalkeeper Combe managed to block.

Rangers had the ball in the back of the net again 10 minutes after the break, when Boyd helped a Ferguson shot over the line, but the offside flag was already raised.

Prso then sent a fierce drive just wide of the post, before collapsing in a heap of frustration as Rangers toiled to find another goal.

Kilmarnock were growing in confidence and, sensing Rangers had to try to kill the game off, Lovenkrands was introduced to the action in place of Boyd with just over an hour gone.

When the second goal did eventually come, with 19 minutes to go, it was from the most unlikely of sources.

Ferguson's free-kick found Sotirios Kyrgiakos completely unmarked at the far post and he nodded across goal for fellow centre-half Rodriguez to head home his first goal for Rangers.

There was more drama to come when Combe brought down Lovenkrands in the box, conceding a penalty and earning himself a straight red card.

James Fowler took the gloves but could not prevent Prso rifling into the roof of the net from the resultant spot kick with five minutes left.

Kilmarnock's misery was compounded three minutes later when Lovenkrands netted to make it 4-0 with a 30-yard free-kick.

Teams

Rangers Waterreus, Hutton, Murray, Kyrgiakos, Rodriguez,Buffel, Ferguson (Ricksen 85), Burke (Novo 73), Hemdani,Kris Boyd (Lovenkrands 66), Prso.

Subs Not Used: Klos, Andrews, Namouchi, Smith.

Goals: Kris Boyd 13, Rodriguez 71, Prso 85 pen, Lovenkrands 87.

Kilmarnock Combe, Wilson (Lilley 23), Hay, Ford, Wright,Invincibile (McDonald 82), Fowler, Johnston, Di Giacomo,Nish (Campbell 80), Naismith.

Subs Not Used: Smith, Locke, Leven, Bell.

Sent Off: Combe (84).

Booked: Lilley, Hay, Fowler, Johnston.

Att: 49,442

Ref: D McDonald (Scotland).