Rangers secured a narrow but comfortable 1-0 win over St Johnstone to end their poor away run in the Scottish Premiership.
Amid ongoing speculation over Philippe Clement’s future, the Light Blues travel to Perth on the back of a stunning 4-1 Europa League win at Nice on Thursday night that took them a step closer to the knockout stages.
However, Rangers reverted to the scrappy style of football that has characterized their league season and an improved second-half own goal from former Gers midfielder Jason Holt earned them their first away win since September .
Clement’s side remain in third place, 11 points behind leaders Celtic, with title hopes still in limbo and Gers fans remain puzzled by the nature of Jekyll and Hyde this season.
Nedim Bajarmi missed a first-half chance at St Johnstone
The Belgian boss is still looking for consistency in performance and selection.Brazilian striker Danilo, who was not in the Gers’ European squad, was available again, meaning Clement had three options in the lone striker role.
Moroccan striker Hamza Igamane, who scored a brace against Nice, was awarded to Danilo and main striker Cyril Dessers.
Romania midfielder Yanis Hagi, also absent from the European squad, made his first start for Rangers since May 2023, while captain James Tavernier came on for the injured Dujon Sterling.
Saints were unchanged from the side that started last week’s 1-0 win over Kilmarnock and they largely owned the visitors in the first half.
In the 15th minute, Gers winger Vaclav Cerny completed a decent move when he cut in from the right and fired a direct shot from the edge of the goal.
Less than 10 minutes later, with the Ibrox side upping the ante, Saints keeper Josh Rae dived down his left to push Igaman narrowly wide of the target after the Gers forward had been set up by Conor Barron.
Yannis Hagi scores for St. Johnstone
Gers winger Nedim Bajrami failed to connect properly behind Tavernier before his drive from a cleared corner was saved by Ray at his near post.
Bajrami and defender Robin Propper made way for Ridvan Yilmaz and Leon Balogun early in the second half, while midfielder Aaron Essel replaced Graham Carey for the hosts.
Rae had little to do before the 55th minute of the second half when he made a creditable save from Tavernier’s 25-yard free-kick.
Danilo then replaced left-back Jefte as Clement reorganized his team again and they soon took the lead.
With Saints stuck in their own box again when Hagi’s cross from the left curled over Ray’s head, the unlucky Holt was able to turn the ball into his own net on the goal line only for Tavernier to clear.
Ray made saves from Danilo and Hagi as Rangers controlled possession and the Saints keeper thwarted Danilo twice more as the visitors dominated in the closing stages.
“Rangers is a tough watch”
Sky Sports’ Chris Boyd.
“Philippe Clement will be happy with the three points, but if he is happy with the game, then wow.
“It’s a tough watch for Rangers now, but you can’t moan all the time. They got three points, that’s the most important thing.”
Sky Sports’ Chris Sutton.
“It’s about three points today, coming back from a brilliant week’s win. Rangers aren’t fluent in the final third, but in terms of the result, it’s the most comfortable 1-0 you’ll see.”
Clement: To be sexy, you need to score more goals
Rangers manager Philip Clement told Sky Sports:
“Already a well-deserved victory. We only have one shot on goal. But you have to score more goals, to be what we want to be for our fans, to have more fun. but also to kill the faith of the opponents.
“It’s still a work in progress, but I see a lot of positive things with the team. The players are growing, getting better, doing the right things more and more.
“It’s important to react directly after the European trip, a big win domestically and earn the deserved points. And that was the case today.”
Valakari: We gave our heart and soul
St. Johnston boss Simo Valakari told Sky Sports:
“What we talked about before the game, stay in the game, give yourself a chance to compete, we did that.
“But then the final push, we’re not there yet, but overall my players put their heart and soul into it. They did a lot of good things.
“We could have asked more questions about their backline. But at the same time, the Rangers’ counter-press was very high. We didn’t have time to get out of those moments.”
