Rangers finish the calendar year of strongly with a first win over St Mirren in over a year and leave themselves inside touching distance between league leaders Hearts and rivals Celtic.
Rangers started strong, showing intensity and energy all over the pitch, and their hard work paid off as Jayden Meghoma and James Tavernier played a sharp move giving Meghoma space to perform a terrific cross which found Thelo Aasgaard and allowed him to head home. Mikey Moore almost doubled the lead before half-time, but Shamal George was alert enough to tip it onto the crossbar.
Just after the interval, the League Cup winners almost equalised, a slip from John Souttar put Jack Butland right into action with Mikael Mandron’s effort being denied. Moments later, an inviting cross from Youssef Chermiti found Emmanuel Fernandez lurking at the back post to put it through George’s legs and into the back of the net.
A comfortable evening for Danny Rohl’s side evaporated quickly, a VAR call for handball against Emmanuel Fernandez saw referee Ryan Lee point to the spot, but Marcus Fraser’s dull spot-kick was saved easily by Butland. But this wasn’t the end for the visitors, in the 82nd minute, the Buddies scored after Butland parried Miguel Freckleton’s effort into the path of Mandron.
The late goal brought St Mirren right back into the match, but it was too little too late. And with many chances not taken, Steven Robinson’s side will disappointed not to take more away from Ibrox on this occasion, but going into the 2026 calendar year with a League Cup in the trophy cabinet I don’t think too many fans will be too ruthless about this one.
For Danny Rohl, his biggest test awaits, as he visits CelticPark in a match that means so much in this crazy title race.
Rohl, said: “Our belief is there. When we look at the moment, except from the 2-1 defeat, we took a lot of points. We had some great performances; we had also some performances where not everything was good. Now we go with confidence. It’s a huge game, but we are prepared for this. I think this is what we want to see.
“In this game it’s important that we are strong. I think it’s important that refs are strong in this game as well. If we do this, we will have a fantastic game.”
As the season enters a vital stage, Rohl will know that margin for error is small, but with recent results going in the right direction progress in this title race remains alive.
Rangers: Butland 8, Tavernier 6, Souttar 6 (Nsiala 79, 3) Fernandez 7, Meghoma 6, Raskin 7, Diomande 7 (Curtis 91, 1) Aasgaard 7 (Barron 68, 4), Moore 7 (Aarons 68, 3) Gassama 6, Chermiti 7 (Danilo 79, 2)
St Mirren: George 4, Richardson 5, King 5, Fraser 4, Freckleton 6, John 5, Gogic 5, Phillips 5 (Donnelly 87, 1) Idowu 3 (McMenamin 57, 5) Mandron 7 (Mooney 87, 1) Ayunga 3 (Nlundulu 37, 4).
