Rangers earned a slim however snug 1-0 victory over St Johnstone to finish their poor run of away kind within the Scottish Premiership.
Amid ongoing hypothesis about Philippe Clement’s future, the Gentle Blues travelled to Perth on the again of a shocking 4-1 Europa League win away in Good on Thursday evening which took them a step nearer to the knockout levels.
Nevertheless, Rangers lapsed again right into a dour type of soccer which has characterised their league season, their winner coming within the 63rd minute of an improved second half by an personal purpose by former Gers midfielder Jason Holt to earn their first away win within the league since September.
Clement’s aspect stay in third place, 11 factors behind leaders Celtic with title hopes nonetheless wanting threadbare and with Gers followers remaining puzzled by the Jekyll and Hyde nature of this season.
The Belgian boss remains to be looking for consistency of efficiency and consistency of choice. Brazilian ahead Danilo, not within the Gers’ European squad, was obtainable once more which meant Clement had three choices for the lone striker’s position.
Moroccan striker Hamza Igamane, who scored a double towards Good, bought the nod over Danilo and common ahead Cyriel Dessers.
Romania midfielder Ianis Hagi, additionally absent from the European squad, made his first Rangers begin since Could 2023, whereas skipper James Tavernier got here in for the injured Dujon Sterling.
Saints have been unchanged from the aspect that began the 1-0 win over Kilmarnock final week and for essentially the most half they contained the guests within the first half.
Within the fifteenth minute Gers winger Vaclav Cerny ended an honest transfer when he minimize in from the best and drilled a shot simply extensive of the goal from the sting of the field.
Lower than 10 minutes later, because the Ibrox aspect stepped up the tempo, Saints ‘keeper Josh Rae dived to his left to push a low drive from Igamane extensive of the goal, after the Gers striker had been arrange by Connor Barron.
Ianis Hagi has a shot at purpose at St Johnstone
Gers winger Nedim Bajrami failed to attach correctly from a Tavernier cut-back earlier than his drive following a cleared nook was saved by Rae at his close to submit.
Bajrami and defender Robin Propper made approach for Ridvan Yilmaz and Leon Balogun for the beginning of the second half whereas for the house aspect, midfielder Aaron Essel changed Graham Carey.
Rae had little to do within the second half earlier than the fifty fifth minute, when he made an honest save from Tavernier’s 25-yard free-kick.
Danilo then changed left-back Jefte as Clement reshuffled his aspect once more and shortly they have been forward.
With Saints pinned again into their very own field, when Hagi’s cross from the left looped over Rae’s head and the luckless Holt may solely flip the ball into his personal web on the purpose line beneath strain from Tavernier, who would have netted.
Rae made saves from Danilo and Hagi as Rangers managed possession and the Saints keeper thwarted Danilo twice extra because the guests dominated the latter levels.
‘Rangers are a tricky watch’
Sky Sports activities’ Kris Boyd:
“Philippe Clement will be happy with getting three points but if he’s happy with the performance then wow.
“Rangers are a tricky watch proper now however you may’t moan on a regular basis. They have the three factors, that is an important factor.”
Sky Sports’ Chris Sutton:
“It is about three factors at the moment, getting back from a superb win within the week. Rangers aren’t fluent within the ultimate third however by way of a end result, it is essentially the most snug 1-0 you may see.”
Clement: We need to score more to be sexy
Rangers manager Philippe Clement told Sky Sports:
“A well-deserved victory, domination all the sport. We solely give one shot on track away. However you must rating extra objectives to be extra horny, to be what we wish to be for our followers, to have extra leisure in that approach, but additionally to kill the assumption of opponents.
“That’s still a working point but I see a lot of positive things with the squad. Players are growing, becoming better, doing the right things more and more.
“It is vital after a European journey, an enormous victory, to react straight domestically additionally and to get the deserved factors. And that was the case at the moment.”
Valakari: We gave our heart and soul
St Johnstone boss Simo Valakari told Sky Sports:
“What we have been speaking about earlier than the match, keep within the match, give your self an opportunity to compete. We did that.
“But then, in the end, the final push, we are not there yet but overall my players put their heart and soul there. They did a lot of good things.
“We may ask extra questions on their again line. We didn’t do it. However on the similar time, Rangers, their counter-press was very excessive degree. We did not have time to breathe, to get out of these moments.”
