Headlining the pre-match team news for Rangers fans was the return to action of Alfredo Morelos, missing since March when a thigh injury became too much to bear on international duty and the Colombian sat out the remainder of last season.
His return off the bench was greeted with roars of approval, but the inclusion from the start of Steven Davis was just as significant.
Ahead of a season-defining qualifier with Union Saint-Gilloise on Tuesday night, Giovanni van Bronckhorst made four changes to the team which so disappointed in Belgium, while giving Ryan Kent every chance to declare his fitness with Rabbi Matondo also protected on the bench.
After a slow start, and a Tom Lawrence bar-rattling strike in the first half Antonio Colak and the returning Colombian scored after the break to the relief of an increasingly nervous Ibrox and ensured three points against a visiting side intent on frustrating the Champions League hopefuls.
There was no return to Ibrox for Jordan Jones though Lee Hodson and Kyle Lafferty were in the visitors’ squad – the latter starting but failing to test Jon McLaughlin as another Rangers fan favourite striker stole the headlines.
Here is how the Rangers players rated in the 2-0 win that warms up for Union Saint-Gilloise game – but improvements will be necessary.
5. Connor Goldson - 6
Defensive mainstay went close, smashing a first-half drive into the side netting and tried to conduct from the back, with limited effect. Shackled Shaw and Lafferty though en route to a sponsors' man of the match award that surprised the 49,600 crowd. Later smashed himself by Killie sub Innes Cameron. Photo: Will Matthews
6. John Lundstram - 6
van Bronckhorst's Swiss army knife isn't quite as sharp as last season in either defence or midfield, but after starting with more advanced intentions beside Davis found himself deep in the box defending the lead for the closing stages. Photo: Alan Harvey - SNS Group
7. Steven Davis - 7
Midfield metronome was restored to the line-up and allowed Lundstram to step forward - and in rarely, if ever, wasting a pass, showed his composure amongst Kilmarnock's swarming and rhythm stifling midfield. Photo: Craig Foy - SNS Group
8. Tom Lawrence - 6
Shook off some early rust to rattle the crossbar in the first-half’s only moment of note and then laid on for Colak's winner. Played mostly off left side and holds that unpredictable threat with shooting from range but capable of even more. Photo: Craig Foy - SNS Group