Youssef Chermiti signed off the Scottish Premiership season in style with a superb hat-trick as Rangers ended their campaign with an entertaining 5-2 win away to Falkirk.
Danny Rohl’s side snapped a four-match losing streak with an attacking display full of energy and clinical finishing, while Falkirk’s impressive return season to the top flight concluded with defeat at home.
Rangers made a blistering start and were ahead inside three minutes.
Mikey Moore drove forward down the left before finding Chermiti, who surged into the area and rifled a finish in from a tight angle.
The striker doubled both his tally and Rangers’ advantage just four minutes later.
After a loose ball dropped kindly on the edge of the box, Chermiti controlled brilliantly on his chest before unleashing a stunning volley beyond Falkirk goalkeeper Nicky Hogarth.
Falkirk responded after a costly Rangers mistake gifted them a route back into the contest.
Emmanuel Fernandez’s back pass put Jack Butland under pressure from Calvin Miller, and the Rangers goalkeeper could only watch as the ball slipped under his foot and rolled into the net.
The visitors quickly restored control before the half-hour mark.
Chermiti turned creator this time, collecting possession on the right before delivering a low pass into the box for Djeidi Gassama, who twisted past his marker and finished confidently from close range.
Falkirk again reduced the deficit before half-time after Mohamed Diomande handled inside the penalty area.
Following a VAR review, Miller stepped up and fired home the spot-kick emphatically to make it 3-2 at the break.
Any hopes of a Falkirk comeback were quickly extinguished after the restart.
Tuur Rommens burst down the left flank and delivered an inviting cross for Chermiti, who powered a header past Hogarth to complete his hat-trick.
Rangers remained firmly on top as the second half progressed and added a fifth goal with just over 10 minutes remaining.
Lewis Neilson fouled Chermiti inside the box and Thelo Aasgaard converted the resulting penalty to cap the scoring.
With both clubs’ league positions already confirmed before kick-off, there was little riding on the result beyond pride.
Falkirk had already secured sixth place in their first season back in the Premiership, while Rangers were guaranteed a third-place finish after falling away in the title race.
Still, Rangers produced one of their sharpest attacking displays in weeks, with Chermiti offering another reminder of his potential after facing scrutiny following his high-profile move to Ibrox last summer.
His treble took him to 15 goals for the season.
Although Falkirk twice fought their way back into the game, Rangers controlled proceedings for long periods and could easily have added more goals.
For Rohl, the victory provides a welcome boost after recent criticism surrounding his future, though bigger questions remain ahead of next season as Rangers prepare for another rebuild.
Falkirk manager John McGlynn, meanwhile, is unlikely to dwell too heavily on the result.
Despite defensive vulnerabilities on the day, the campaign overall has represented another significant step forward for the newly promoted side.
