The young Ayrshire lads arrived in Auchenhowie three substitutes short of the permitted maximum and a reserve goalkeeper who had only turned 14, however those who took part gave a good account of themselves as the Champions were made to work hard for the three points in front of the watching 78 chilly spectators.
Giorgis Efrem was plying his trade down the left wing and not afraid to have a shot or two at goal early on, Ross Harvey broke down the right wing and his powerful shot across the face of the visitors goalmouth was well held by Jamie Newman.
The deadlock was broken in the 27th minute when a delightful cross from Chris Craig on the left wing was controlled perfectly by William McLachlan on the far edge of the box before the midfielder drove a powerful shot low past the despairing Newman.
McLachlan almost doubled his tally soon after when Efrem dispossessed Chris Gilmour and provided the Gers midfielder with another perfect cross only this time the shot was volleyed over.
Ross Harvey came close with a header from a corner which went inches over as the home side pushed for more goals to make the match safe.
Harvey's defensive partner, Danny Wilson, wanted to get in on the act and had a terrific run right through the Kilmarnock midfield and defence before being forced wide by Newman and Blair which resulted in his attempt going narrowly past the post.
Daniel McKay had the visitors best, and up to then only, chance right on the stroke of half time when he shot wide when in the clear.
Half Time - Rangers 1 Kilmarnock 0
Isa Bagci, who had a quiet first half, soon came into the match after the interval and had a powerful shot from only 8 yards out superbly saved by Newman, however the Killie Keeper was helpless soon after when the big Swede collected a long through ball, held off two defenders, and calmly slotted his shot into the corner of the net on 58 minutes to put the home side two up.
Bagci was now looking to add to his tally for the season and had another couple of chances go narrowly over on both occasions.
Killie's best player of the morning, Brian McEwan, had a glorious chance to pull the match back but missed with his header when a floated free kick found him in the clear.
That was to be the Ayrshire sides last chance to change the course of the match as a carbon copy move saw Bagci in a similar position and provide an identical finish to his first goal on the 83rd minute to tie up the match.
Ross Harvey came close to furthering the Light Blues goal difference when his headed effort from a corner kick struck the far post in the dying moments.
The Teams;
Rangers - Gallacher, Perry, Kinniburgh, Wilson, Harvey, Ness, McLachlan, Stirling, Bagci, Craig (Wylde 68), Efrem (Little 80).
Subs not used - Weir, Donald, Van Den Broeck, Forbes, Campbell.
Kilmarnock - Newman, McGhee, Wright, Blair, McEwan, Brown, Gilmour, McKay, Cox (Gibson 80), McInnes (Marshall 89), Anson.
Subs not used - Cadwell, Fisher
Referee - Greg Aitken