Match report: Saints 0-1 Rangers

Saints started brightly and looked dangerous going forward in the first half as they caused problems for the Rangers defence.

The visitors were much improved in the second half as Saints began to fade. The only goal of the game came on 63 minutes as Holt buddled the ball into his own net under pressure from James Tavernier.

Saints are back in action on Saturday as they travel to the north-east to take on Aberdeen at Pittodrie, kick off 3pm.

MATCH REPORT

Rangers were the visitors to McDiarmid Park today for a noon kick off which was live on Sky Sports. Saints were looking to build on their 1-0 win against Kilmarnock last weekend and Simo Valakari decided to go with the same starting eleven for this afternoon’s match. Rangers defeated Nice 4-1 in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday evening and manager Philippe Clement made two changes to the side which started in France as James Tavernier and Ianis Hagi came in to replace Mohamed Diomande, who dropped to the bench, whilst Dujon Sterling missed out completely due to injury.

Hamza Igamane got the match underway for Rangers however, it was Saints who started the match brightly, passing the ball about well.

On 8 minutes Jack Sanders went on an impressive run down the right channel, away from Robin Pröpper, before sending over an inviting ball into the box which the Gers defence were able to clear before Benji Kimpioka could get on the end of it. Then shortly after Andre Raymond fired wide from just outside the box.

PHOTO: Benji Kimpioka and Nicolas Raskin

Rangers created their first chance of the match on 15 minutes as Václav Černý cut in from the right before firing narrowly wide from 18 yards.

Then a minute later Makenzie Kirk won Saints a free kick out wide on the right after the forward had been fouled by Pröpper. It was taken by Graham Carey and he floated his delivery into the Gers box and the ball was headed down to Sven Sprangler by Bozo Mikulić however, the Austrian midfielder fired over from the edge of the area.

On 25 minutes Connor Barron played in Igamane however, Josh Rae made a good save to deny the Moroccan forward. Rangers were starting to come into the game and just before the half an hour mark James Tavernier linked up well with Černý down the right as the Gers captain broke to the bye-line before picking out Nedim Bajrami in the centre of the box however, the midfielder couldn’t make a clean connection with the ball as Rae comfortably gathered.

PHOTO: Andre Raymond goes by Connor Barron

With 9 minutes of the first half remaining a Gers corner from the right saw Černý play it short to Tavernier before sending over a cross which was headed clear by Mikulić. However, the clearance from the Saints defender only went as far as Bajrami whose effort was palmed away by Rae for another corner. Then shortly after Jefté saw his effort comfortably gathered by Rae.

Saints made a change before the second half got underway as Aaron Essel came on to replace Graham Carey.

The Gers created the first chance of the second half as on 46 minutes Ianis Hagi fired over from just outside the box. Then 2 minutes later Tavernier skipped past Jason Holt before laying the ball off to Igamane, but he was unable to test Rae with his effort. The visitors had started the second half on the front foot and on 50 minutes Igamane saw his shot on the turn saved by Rae.

On 54 minutes Rangers were awarded a free kick in an inviting position after Holt had fouled Rıdvan Yılmaz. Tavernier took the free kick and his curling effort was brilliantly palmed away by Rae.

PHOTO: Drey Wright and Nicolas Raskin

Saints made another change just before the hour mark as Lewis Neilson came on to replace Nicky Clark.

The breakthrough came on 63 minutes as Rangers took the lead. Hagi sent over an inviting cross into the Saints box from the left which caused problems for Saints as Holt knocked the ball into his own net under the pressure from Tavernier at the far post.

Rangers almost doubled their lead 3 minutes later as Černý played in Danilo however, the Gers substitute saw his effort turned behind for a corner by Rae.

On 67 minutes Adama Sidibeh was introduced into the action, replacing Sven Sprangler.

The visitors created another chance 2 minutes later as Černý played in Hagi who unleashed an effort at goal which Rae turned behind for another corner.

PHOTO: Jason Holt and Connor Barron

With 10 minutes remaining Saints made a double change as Josh McPake and Max Kucheriavyi came on to replace Benji Kimpioka and Jason Holt.

On 84 minutes Danilo unleashed a snapshot from 18 yards which Rae pushed away wide before gathering at the second attempt.

The closing stages was a nervy affair however, Saints couldn’t find a way back into the game as Rangers left Perth with the points.  

Saints: Rae, Mikulić, Raymond, Sanders, Holt (Kucheriavyi 81’), Clark (Neilson 58’), Carey (Essel 45’), Wright, Sprangler (Sidibeh 67’), Kirk, Kimpioka (McPake 80’)

Unused Substitutes: Sinclair (GK), Cameron, Smith, Franczak   

Booked: Raymond, Sprangler

Rangers: Butland, Tavernier, Pröpper (Balogun 45’), Souttar, Barron, Bajrami (Yılmaz 45’), Černý (Dowell 86’), Jefté (Danilo 58’), Igamane (Diomande 76’), Hagi, Raskin

Unused Substitutes: Kelly (GK), Dessers, King, McCausland  

Booked: Raskin, Haig

Scorer: Holt (63’ og)

Referee: Steven McLean

VAR: Alan Muir

Attendance: 7,446

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Jack Sanders gets between Ianis Hagi and Rıdvan Yılmaz