Match report: Rangers 2-0 Saints

The hosts took the lead on 34 minutes when Černý got the better of Sven Sprangler before sending a low curling effort beyond Ross Sinclair and into the net.

The on-loan VfL Wolfsburg winger got his and Rangers second after the break as he sent a low effort into the far corner of the net.

However, Rangers had to play the closing stages with 10 men after substitute Ianis Hagi was sent off as his high challenge on Benji Kimpioka was upgraded from a yellow card following a VAR review.

Saints thought they had pulled a goal back with 6 minutes remaining when Nicky Clark slotted the ball home from a tight angle however, it was ruled out for offside as the host comfortably saw the game out.

Saints are back in action in a fortnight following the international break next weekend as they welcome Ross County to McDiarmid Park, kick off 3pm.

MATCH REPORT

Saints headed to Ibrox this evening to take on Rangers looking to bounce back from last weekends 6-0 defeat to Celtic. Simo Valakari was named the new Saints head coach on Tuesday, and he was in the stand this evening to watch his new side whilst he waits for his work permit as Andy Kirk and Alex Clelland took charge of Saints for this evenings William Hill Premiership match. There were two changes to the Saints starting eleven this evening as Aaron Essel and Benji Kimpioka, who was now free for selection after serving his two-match suspension, came in to replace Graham Carey, who dropped to the bench, whilst Kyle Cameron missed out. There was also a place on the bench for Adama Sidibeh who was also now free for selection after serving his four-match suspension. Rangers lost 4-1 at home to Lyon in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday evening and manager Philippe Clement also made two changes to his starting eleven as Nicolas Raskin and Ross McCausland both came into the starting eleven to replace Connor Barron, who dropped to the bench, whilst Tom Lawrence missed out due to injury.

It was an unfamiliar Sunday evening 8pm kick off in Govan this evening due to the Great Scottish Run in Glasgow which caused road closures in the city earlier in the day. Cyriel Dessers got the match underway for the hosts and they started brightly sending some dangerous crosses into the Saints box which were well defended by the visitors.

Then on 4 minutes a quick break by Saints saw Benji Kimpioka link up well with Nicky Clark before the Swedish forward saw his shot blocked by John Souttar. Kimpioka picked out space again in the Rangers midfield shortly after as he broke forward before drawing the foul from James Tavernier. However, the resultant free kick was comfortably dealt with by the Light Blues defence.

On 7 minutes Tavernier galloped forward into space before sending over a dangerous ball into the Saints box however, Aaron Essel was alert to the danger as he headed the ball behind for a corner at the back post with Ross McCausland lurking looking to get on the end of the delivery. Tavernier took the corner from the left and his delivery was met by Dessers whose free header landed on the roof of the net.

Saints were looking dangerous when they got forward and on 11 minutes Matt Smith dragged an effort wide from 25 yards.

PHOTO: New Saints head coach Simo Valakari pictured in the directors box alongside Gus MacPherson

With 17 minutes on the clock Rangers were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box after Mohamed Diomande had been fouled by Sven Sprangler. Tavernier took the free kick and half of Ibrox thought it was in as his curling effort went inches wide of the top corner of the net.

Another Tavernier corner from the left on 24 minutes was met by Dessers at the back post however, he couldn’t make a clean connection with the delivery. The ball eventually broke to Tavernier however, the Rangers captain dragged his effort inches wide. Then 4 minutes later Diomande got a sight of goal however, the Ivorian put his effort narrowly wide of the post.

The pressure from the hosts eventually told as they took the lead on 34 minutes. Václav Černý made space for himself as he cut inside after turning Sprangler, before curling a fine effort into the far corner of the net.

Rangers now went in search of a second and with 3 minutes of the first half remaining McCausland got into the box before firing his effort straight at Ross Sinclair who comfortably held the ball.

Saints created the final chance of the half on the stroke of half time as Makenzie Kirk broke forward and the young forward had a go from distance however, his effort went wide of the target.

PHOTO: Lewis Neilson is closed down by John Souttar

Saints made a double change before the second half got underway as Adama Sidibeh and Cammy MacPherson came on to replace Drey Wright and Sven Sprangler.

On 52 minutes a through ball from Essel sparked a race between Sidibeh and Souttar however, Gers keeper Jack Butland was out quick to gather the ball. Then 5 minutes later Essel tried to pick out Sidibeh with a cross into the box from the right however, it was turned behind for a corner by Souttar. Smith took the corner but his ball into the box was comfortably gathered by Butland.

However, on 58 minutes Rangers doubled their lead. The hosts won possession as MacPherson’s pass was intercepted as the Light Blues broke forward. The ball was worked to half-time substitute Ianis Hagi who picked out Černý and the Czech winger weaved his way into the box as he turned Lewis Neilson before firing a low effort into the far corner of the net.

Sidibeh was proving to be a nuisance for the Rangers defence anytime Saints got up the park and on 62 minutes the forward put a powerful effort just wide of the far post.

Then up the other end on 66 minutes Černý picked out Hamza Igamane on the edge of the box however, the shot from the Moroccan was saved by Sinclair.

PHOTO: Makenzie Kirk's shot is saved by Jack Butland

2 minutes later Kirk did well to get the better of Robin Pröpper as the Saints forward broke in from the right into the Rangers box before unleashing a strike which Butland saved with his legs.

Saints made a double change on 74 minutes as David Keltjens and Graham Carey came on to replace Andre Raymond and Makenzie Kirk.

Then with 11 minutes remaining Hagi was booked for a foul on Kimpioka however, the incident was reviewed by VAR and referee David Dickinson was soon called to the monitor by Steven McLean. Following the review Dickinson changed his mind as the yellow card was upgraded to a red which meant the hosts had to play the final 9 minutes plus stoppage time with 10 men.

PHOTO: Ianis Hagi is sent off by referee David Dickinson after a foul on Benji Kimpioka

Saints soon made another change as Fran Franczak came on to replace Aaron Essel.

The Perth side thought they had pulled a goal back on 84 minutes when Smith’s diagonal ball into the box was chested down by Clark before he despatched his effort beyond Butland from a tight angle and into the net. However, the goal was disallowed for offside by the linesman and it was confirmed as the correct decision following a VAR review.

Sidibeh then saw his overhead kick 2 minutes later saved by Butland as Saints continued to push to get back into the match.

6 minutes of stoppage time was added on at the end and in the second minute of added on time Sinclair produced a brilliant save to tip a Neraysho Kasanwirjo strike over the bar for a corner. Then in the final minute of stoppage time Pröpper headed wide of the target from a Tavernier cross as Rangers comfortably saw the game out.

PHOTO: Nicky Clark scores but his goal is ruled out for offside

Rangers: Butland, Tavernier, Pröpper, Souttar, Dessers (Igamane 60’), Diomande (Barron 45’), Bajrami (Sterling 84’), Černý (Kasanwirjo 73’), Jefté, Raskin, McCausland (Hagi 45’)

Unused Substitutes: Kelly (GK), Dowell, Balogun, Fraser

Booked: Raskin

Sent Off: Hagi

Scorers: Černý (34’, 58’)

Saints: Sinclair, Raymond (Keltjens 74’), Sanders, Neilson, Clark, Wright (Sidibeh 45’), Essel (Franczak 84’), Smith, Sprangler (MacPherson 45’), Kirk (Carey 74’), Kimpioka

Unused Substitutes: Rae (GK), Kucheriavyi, McPake, Bright

Booked: Essel

Referee: David Dickinson

VAR: Steven McLean

Attendance: 44,744

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Benji Kimpioka's shot is blocked by Robin Pröpper