Youssef ChermitiImage source, SNS
Image caption,

Youssef Chermiti netted a hat-trick as Rangers finished the season in style at Falkirk.

ByAndy Coyle
AtBBC Sport Scotland

Youssef Chermiti's hat-trick helped Rangers sign off for the summer with a Scottish Premiership victory, as the visitors enjoyed a 5-2 final day win over Falkirk.

A goal-laden first half paved the way for Danny Rohl's side to end a four-game losing streak, while John McGlynn's Falkirk ended an impressive first season back in the top flight with defeat.

Rangers came flying out of the blocks and had the lead within three minutes. An attack down the left side saw the ball worked to Mikey Moore and he found Chermiti, who carried the ball into the box before firing in from a narrow angle.

Four minutes later Rangers, and Chermiti, had a second. A ball into the Falkirk box was blocked but Chermiti controlled on his chest before letting fly with volley from the edge of the area that Falkirk goalkeeper Nicky Hogarth had no chance of stopping.

Just as the visitors looked like running away with it, they allowed Falkirk a foothold. A back pass from Emmanuel Fernandez was chased down by Calvin Miller and, under pressure, Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland allowed the ball to slip under his foot watching in horror as it trundled over the line.

Rangers reestablished their two-goal advantage before the half-hour mark. Chermiti turned provider, peeling off to collect the ball on the right wing before playing a low ball in to Gassama in the box. The attacker rolled his marker and then fired past Hogarth from close range.

Falkirk pulled one back before half-time and they had Rangers midfielder Mohamed Diomande to thank, the defender's handball in the box spotted by VAR giving the hosts a penalty. Calvin Miller stepped up and struck and emphatic spot kick that made it 3-2 at the break.

After the restart, Rangers instantly restored their two-goal cushion. Tuur Rommens raced down the left flank and swung in a tempting cross that Chermiti met with a powerful header to complete his hat-trick.

Both sides took the opportunity to make changes as the second half wore on, but Rangers stayed on top and extended their lead further with just over ten minutes to play. Lewis Neilson pushed Chermiti in the box and from the resulting penalty, Thelo Aasgard scored his side's fifth and their final goal of what has been a dramatic but ultimately disappointing season.

Analysis: Rangers return to form but with nothing at stake

Falkirk and Rangers' Premiership fates had been settled before this final league encounter, with the hosts guaranteed sixth place on their first season back and Rangers having fallen out of the title race but certain to finish third.

On paper, there was nothing at stake but the hosts were keen to wrap up an enjoyable campaign with a noteworthy scalp, while Rangers were aiming to bounce back from a costly slump that had raised questions about Danny Rohl's future in the dugout.

Rangers looked energetic and purposeful from the off and Youssef Chermiti, whose value had been questioned after his big-money move to Ibrox last summer, gave more evidence of his potential with a two clinical strikes and a header to take his tally for the season to 15 goals.

Though Falkirk narrowed the gap twice, Rangers were in control for the most part and could even have had more to show for their efforts. However, this was a game with the pressure off and doesn't answer many of the questions raised in previous weeks as title hopes fell away.

Work will now turn to building a more credible challenge for next season's trophy, and plenty of the players in action today won't be around for that. But it does allow Rohl to finish the season on a positive note after the first spell of sustained criticism since his arrival.

For John McGlynn, the openness in his team had echoes of the last game before the split, when Rangers helped themselves to six goals.

Falkirk's season isn't just built on results against the top sides though, and the veteran manager is unlikely to be too despondent at the end of a season that, overall, has been a continuation of an upward trajectory.

Player of the match

Number: 9 Youssef Chermiti
Average rating 8.09
Number: 42 S. Hart
Average Rating: 5.62
Number: 1 N. Hogarth
Average Rating: 5.18
Number: 27 B. Parkinson
Average Rating: 5.10
Number: 8 B. Spencer
Average Rating: 5.00
Number: 29 C. Miller
Average Rating: 5.00
Number: 15 L. Neilson
Average Rating: 4.75
Number: 17 H. Cartwright
Average Rating: 4.46
Number: 14 F. Yeats
Average Rating: 4.42
Number: 11 B. Broggio
Average Rating: 4.35
Number: 5 L. Henderson
Average Rating: 4.33
Number: 9 R. MacIver
Average Rating: 4.13
Number: 23 E. Ross
Average Rating: 4.11
Number: 21 D. Tait
Average Rating: 4.00
Number: 22 K. Wilson
Average Rating: 3.50
Number: 18 G. Oliver
Average Rating: 3.33
Number: 20 C. Allan
Average Rating: 2.69

After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.