Philippe Clement’s side came out on top in a narrow victory over St Johnstone
Rangers headed into the game looking to build on their resounding win in the South of France on Thursday, with St Johnstone hoping to record back-to-back league victories at McDiarmid Park.
Two changes for Rangers today following their 4-1 victory over Nice, with skipper James Tavernier replacing the injured Dujon Sterling and Ianis Hagi coming in for his first start for the club since May 2023, in place of Mohamed Diomande. Simo Valakari named the same XI that defeated Kilmarnock 1-0 last weekend.
It was St Johnstone who started the brighter of the 2 sides in the opening exchanges. A great run by Sanders down the right-hand side nearly led to a chance for St Johnstone but the ball was cleared away from danger by Rangers.
Rangers then began to get a foothold of possession and looked threatening whenever they got the ball forward. Cerny came close with an attempt from the edge of the box but the ball fizzed past the side netting. Rangers continued to probe and Bajrami had the best chance of the half, as the ball fell to him inside the 6 yard box but couldn’t sort his feet out quick enough.
St Johnstone struggled to get any sort of possession in the first half but looked dangerous whenever they were able to get at Clements side. A failed offside trap by the Rangers defence allowed Kirk to race through on goal but Butland was able to save his attempt with relative ease.
Half Time – St Johnstone 0-0 Rangers
Philippe Clements half time team talk looked to have taken an effect on his men as Rangers started the second half promisingly. A couple of early efforts on goal were thwarted by the Saints keeper, including a good save to deny Tavernier from a free kick.
Rangers finally found the breakthrough in the 63rd minute. A looping cross inside the box by Yilmaz was bundled home by Jason Holt just a few yards from his own goal, with Tavernier applying the pressure just behind him. Rangers continued to dominate and almost added a second through Danilo but Josh Rae was there again to keep the score at 0-1.
There was only one team who looked like scoring the second, with St Johnstone unable to get out of their own half. Danilo missed a golden opportunity to wrap the game up late in the tie but fired the ball straight at the Saints keeper. Rangers stifled any potential St Johnstone threat in the dying embers of the game and held on for a comfortable victory.
It was a much-needed win domestically for Phillipe Clement in a pressure easing week for the Rangers boss. It was only their second away win in the league this season. For St Johnstone, it wasn’t the result they were hoping for but there were some positives to take from the game for Valakari and he will be hoping his side can build on this performance against Aberdeen next weekend.
St Johnstone – Rae (GK), Wright, Sanders, Mikulic, Raymond, Carey (Essel 46’), Sprangler (Sidibeh 66’ Mcpake 81’), Holt (Kucheriavyi 81’), Clark (C) (Neilson 58), Kirk, Kimpioka
Rangers – Butland (GK), Tavernier (C), Souttar, Propper (Balogun 46’), Jefte (Danilo 58’), Barron, Raskin, Cerny (Dowell 86’), Bajrami (Yilmaz 46’), Hagi, Igamane (Diomande 76’)
Attendance 7,446