Match report: Rangers 3-1 Saints

The hosts took the lead on 16 minutes when they capitalised on poor Saints defending as Mohamed Diomande’s cutback was turned home by Hamza Igamane.

Rangers doubled their lead 4 minutes later as Václav Černý broke clear before slotting the ball beyond Andy Fisher. The Gers then made it 3-0 on 25 minutes as they took advantage of more poor defending by Saints as Jack Sanders headed his clearance straight to Diomande who couldn’t miss from six yards.

Saints pulled a goal back on 54 minutes when Sanders headed home a Max Kucheriavyi corner. However, they couldn’t muster up a second to make the closing stages of the match interesting.   

Saints are back in action on Saturday as they welcome Motherwell to Perth for a Scottish Gas Scottish Cup fourth round tie, kick off 3pm.

MATCH REPORT

Saints were back in their travels this afternoon as they headed to Glasgow to take on Rangers at Ibrox. Saints lost 3-1 to Dundee last Sunday and Simo Valakari made five changes to his starting eleven as Andy Fisher came in to make his debut in goals after signing on-loan from Swansea City this week, whilst Aaron Essel, Max Kucheriavyi, Fran Franczak and Makenzie Kirk also came into the starting eleven. They replaced Josh Rae, Andre Raymond, Matt Smith and Graham Carey who all dropped to the bench, whilst Adama Sidibeh missed out due to illness. Rangers came from behind to draw 1-1 with Dundee on Thursday evening and manager Philippe Clement made two changes to his starting eleven as Connor Barron and Nedim Bajrami dropped to the bench and were replaced by Nicolas Raskin and Danilo.

Nicky Clark got the match underway for Saints however, Rangers created the first chance of the match on 2 minutes. Hamza Igamane played a neat one-two with Danilo before unleashing a first-time effort which went wide of the target.

On 7 minutes Benji Kimpioka won Saints a free kick out wide on the left after he was fouled by Nicolas Raskin. Max Kucheriavyi took the free kick as he sent an inviting ball into the box which Jack Sanders got on the end of however, his header didn’t trouble Liam Kelly as the Rangers rearguard comfortably cleared the danger.

The hosts created another chance on 14 minutes as Jefté played in Igamane however, his effort was comfortably gathered by Andy Fisher. Then 2 minutes later Igamane found the back of the net to give the hosts the lead. From a Rangers throw-in Aaron Essel switched off as Václav Černý received the ball. The Czech winger then played in Mohamed Diomande and his low ball across the box picked out Igamane who slotted it into the net from 12 yards.

PHOTO: Benji Kimpioka and Robin Pröpper

Rangers then doubled their advantage on 20 minutes as Robin Pröpper’s tackle on Nicky Clark got the ball to Danilo and his defence splitting pass played in Černý. The on-loan VfL Wolsfberg winger did well to beat the offside trap before slotting the ball beyond Fisher.

The one-way traffic towards the Saints goal continued and on 24 minutes Černý played in Igamane however, his shot was deflected behind for a corner by Sven Sprangler.

However, Rangers made it 3-0 a minute later. The ball was crossed into the box from the right by Černý and the attempted headed clearance from Sanders fell in front of Diomande who slotted the ball beyond Fisher from six yards.

PHOTO: Božo Mikulić and Mohamed Diomande

On 38 minutes Igamane flicked up a Černý pass as the Moroccan attempted an audacious overhead kick that didn’t trouble Fisher in the Saints goal.

Saints made a double change before the second half got underway as Barry Douglas and Taylor Steven came on to replace Aaron Essel and Nicky Clark.

3 minutes into the second half Černý had a shot at goal which was straight at Fisher who comfortably held the ball.

On 53 minutes Makenzie Kirk saw his shot deflected behind for a corner by Rıdvan Yılmaz. Kucheriavyi took the corner from the right and his floated ball into the box was met by Sanders who planted his header into the far corner of the net to pull a goal back for Saints.

PHOTO: Jack Sanders scores for Saints

Just after the hour mark Černý played in Danilo however, Fisher made a good save to deny the Brazilian forward. The Saints number one was called into action again on 66 minutes as he made a great save to deny Gers substitute Óscar Cortés, as fellow substitute Cyriel Dessers slipped as he looked to take advantage of the loose ball.

With 16 minutes remaining Cortés sent over a dangerous ball from the right into the Saints box which was missed by Sanders however, Fran Franczak showed brilliant determination to get back to make an excellent last ditch tackle just as Dessers was about to pull the trigger.

A good Saints attack a minute later saw Steven play the ball to Kirk however, his effort was deflected behind for a corner by Clinton Nsiala.

PHOTO: Taylor Steven and Nicolas Raskin

Saints then made another double change as Benji Kimpioka and Fran Franczak were replaced by Josh McPake and Graham Carey.

Saints were playing much better in the second half and on 79 minutes Drey Wright played a good pass into Carey and the Irishman cut inside from the right before seeing his shot saved by Liam Kelly at the near post. Then 2 minutes later McPake got a sight of goal however, his effort went wide of the target.

On 85 minutes Rangers substitute Ross McCausland picked out Dessers with his pass and the forward unleashed an effort at goal which was turned behind for a corner by Božo Mikulić.

PHOTO: Josh McPake and Jefté

5 minutes were added on at the end and in the third minute of stoppage time Carey did well to win the ball from Jefté before unleashing a strike at goal which went high over the crossbar as Saints couldn’t find a second goal to make the final minutes of the match interesting.

Rangers: Kelly, Yılmaz (King 88’), Pröpper, Diomande, Černý (Cortés 65’), Nsiala, Jefté, Igamane (Dessers 65’), Hagi (McCausland 76’), Raskin, Danilo (Dowell 87’)

Unused Substitutes: Munn (GK), Barron, Bajrami, Matondo

Booked: None

Scorers: Igamane (16’), Černý (20’), Diomande (25’)

Saints: Fisher, Mikulić, Sanders, Clark (Steven 45’), Wright, Essel (Douglas 45’), Kucheriavyi, Sprangler, Kirk, Kimpioka (McPake 76’), Franczak (Carey 76’)

Unused Substitutes: Rae (GK), Raymond, MacPherson, Smith, Keltjens

Booked: None

Scorer: Sanders (54’)

Referee: Ross Hardie

VAR: Andrew Dallas

Attendance: 45,818

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Sven Sprangler and Mohamed Diomande