Saints 0-3 Rangers

Saints looked to frustrate their visitors and slow the game down during the first half. Rangers though would take the lead on 37 minutes thanks to a long-range strike from Mohamed Diomande which was the only shot on target during the first half.

Rangers, who were looking to take advantage of Celtic dropping points yesterday, continued to press forward during the second half and they eventually doubled their lead on 79 minutes when James Tavernier scored from the penalty spot following a VAR review for a foul on Dujon Sterling by Andy Considine.

The visitors had chances to further extend their lead as Cyriel Dessers should have done better when clean through on goal on 83 minutes. The forward then got another sight of goal a minute later as his header hit the crossbar.

Rangers though wrapped up the points with 3 minutes remaining as they were awarded another penalty. Tom Lawrence’s shot hit Luke Robinson’s arm and it wasn’t spotted by referee Matthew MacDermid however, VAR advised the referee to take a closer look and a spot kick was awarded which was again duly despatched by Tavernier to seal a comfortably victory.

Next up for Saints is a trip to Paisley next Saturday as they take on St Mirren at the SMiSA Stadium, kick off 3pm.

MATCH REPORT

It was a noon kick off this afternoon as Rangers were the visitors to McDiarmid Park for a cinch Premiership match which was live on Sky Sports. Saints were looking to bounce back for last Sunday’s frustrating 2-1 defeat at Dundee and Craig Levein made three changes to his starting eleven. Kerr Smith, Oludare Olufunwa and Benjamin Kimpioka all dropped to the bench and they were replaced by Ryan McGowan, Dan Phillips and Connor Smith. Rangers came into today’s match looking to capitalise on Celtic dropping points yesterday knowing a victory this afternoon would see them go top of the league and manager Philippe Clement made five changes to the side which defeated Ross County 3-1 at Ibrox on Wednesday evening. Fábio Silva, Oscar Cortes, Scott Wright, Borna Barišić and Mohamed Diomande came in to replace Ridvan Yılmaz, Tom Lawrence, Ross McCausland and Cyriel Dessers who all dropped to the bench whilst Rabbi Matondo missed out completely.

It was a sunny afternoon in Perth as Matt Smith got the match underway for Saints.

Rangers were awarded a free kick on 10 minutes after Todd Cantwell was fouled by Ryan McGowan. Borna Barišić took the free kick and the Croatian whipped the ball into the box and it was met by Connor Goldson however, the shot from the defender didn’t trouble Dimitar Mitov.

On 15 minutes Saints were awarded a free kick after Graham Carey was caught by Todd Cantwell. Matt Smith took the free kick however his delivery into the Gers box was headed clear by Goldson.

PHOTO: Dan Phillips gets away from Fábio Silva

An arrowed long ball forward by John Lundstram on 24 minutes played in Oscar Cortes however, McGowan got back to make a crucial tackle as the ball went behind for a corner which was comfortably dealt with by the Saints defence.

The breakthrough came on 37 minutes as Rangers took the lead. The visitors were awarded a free kick in their own half after Cantwell was caught by David Keltjens who was booked for the foul. The free kick was played deep into the Saints half and McGowan was able to nick the ball away from Fábio Silva. However, the ball fell to Mohamed Diomande who took a touch before unleashed a strike from 25 yards that gave Mitov no chance.  

2 minutes were added on at the end of the first half and in stoppage time Rangers created a chance to double their lead. James Tavernier slipped in Cortes down the right and the Colombian broke to the byline before cutting the ball back however, Mitov stuck out his foot to make an important block as the Saints defence cleared the danger.

PHOTO: Adama Sidibeh battles with John Souttar

Both sides made changes before the second half got underway as Saints brought on Benjamin Kimpioka for David Keltjens, whilst Rangers introduced Dujon Sterling into the action, replacing Scott Wright.

It was quick start to the second half as after 20 seconds Diomande’s cross from the right was met by Silva whose first-time volley was brilliantly saved by Mitov as the Bulgarian keeper got down low to his right to make the save.

A good move by Saints on 47 minutes saw Matt Smith break down the right before sending over a cross as he tried to pick out Adama Sidibeh in the box however, John Souttar was alert to the danger as he turned the ball behind for a corner.

Rangers came close to a second goal on 53 minutes as Cantwell clipped a ball in from the left and Sterling got on the end of the delivery to glance a header narrowly wide from close range.

10 minutes later a McGowan long-throw from the right was only cleared as far as Graham Carey who unleashed a strike from just outside the box which was deflected behind for a corner by Barišić.

PHOTO: Ryan McGowan gets ready to send a long throw into the Rangers box

The visitors continued to create chances and on 68 substitute Tom Lawrence flashed an effort wide. Then on 71 minutes the Govan side were awarded a free kick after Lawrence was tripped by Dan Phillips who was booked for the foul. Both James Tavernier and Borna Barišić stood over the free kick and it was taken by the latter who curled a strike over the wall but it was held by Mitov at the second attempt.

A minute later Kimpioka won Saints a free kick on the edge of the box after he was fouled by Tavernier. Matt Smith took the free kick and his curling effort was deflected over for a corner by Lundstram.

However, Rangers would be given the opportunity to double their lead on 78 minutes as they were awarded a penalty. Sterling blocked Carey’s attempt at a clearance and then used his pace to chase down the loose ball getting a touch on it just before Andy Considine as Sterling went down in the box under the challenge from the Saints defender. Referee Matthew MacDermid looked to the Main Stand assistant for guidance as he initially didn’t award a penalty. However, Greg Aitken was on VAR and he called MacDermid over to the monitor to review the tackle with MacDermid awarding the visitors a penalty. Tavernier stepped up to take the penalty and, despite Mitov guessing the correct way, he blasted a powerful stop kick high into the net.

Saints then made another change on 80 minutes as Max Kucheriavyi came on to replace Connor Smith. That was followed by another change 2 minutes later as Adama Sidibeh was replaced by Nicky Clark.

PHOTO: Connor Smith loses out to James Tavernier

Rangers were now in full control of the game and on 83 minutes they should have scored a third as Cyriel Dessers capitalised on poor play by Saints as he burst forward and was one-on-one with Mitov. He rounded the Saints number one however, Liam Gordon got back to deal with the danger.

The Light Blues continued the pressure and they were awarded a free kick with 6 minutes remaining after Diomande was fouled by Kucheriavyi. Tavernier took the free kick and his curling delivery into the box was missed by Goldson as it broke to Dessers whose looping header came back off the crossbar. The ball then broke to Lawrence whose strike appeared to hit Luke Robinson’s arm with the visitors appealing for another penalty but MacDermid wasn’t interested as play continued. However, play was soon halted as MacDermid was asked by VAR to review the incident on the monitor and subsequently award the visitors another penalty. Tavernier again stepped up to take the penalty and he made no mistake from 12 yards this time sending a clinical finish beyond Mitov, who again guessed the correct way, to wrap up the points for the visitors.

Saints: Mitov, Considine, McGowan, Gordon, Carey, Sidibeh (Clark 82’), Robinson, M. Smith, Keltjens (Kimpioka 45’), Phillips, C. Smith (Kucheriavyi 80’)

Unused Substitutes: Richards (GK), Gallacher, Jaiyesimi, Olufunwa, Sprangler, K. Smith

Booked: Keltjens, Phillips, McGowan

Rangers: Butland, Tavernier, Lundstram, Souttar, Goldson, Silva (Dessers 69’), Cantwell (Lawrence 60’), Cortes (McCausland 69’), Wright (Sterling 45’), Barišić (Yılmaz 82’), Diomande

Unused Substitute: McCrorie (GK), Balogun, King, Raskin

Booked: None

Scorers: Diomande (37’), Tavernier (79’ pen, 87’ pen)

Referee: Matthew MacDermid

VAR: Greg Aitken

Attendance: 6,986

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Luke Robinson and James Tavernier