Cyriel Dessers’s second-half header gave unconvincing Rangers a hard-fought 2-1 win at St Mirren to keep their cinch Premiership title bid on track.
The Ibrox side arrived at the SMiSA Stadium without a league win in three matches and they were helped in the 33rd minute when Saints defender James Bolton put the ball in his own net attempting a goal-line clearance.
Home striker Mikael Mandron deservedly levelled with a well-placed header four minutes later and the second half was a struggle for the visitors before Dessers popped up with a powerful header in the 74th minute to ultimately seal the points.
Rangers had got back to winning ways in the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup semi-final against Hearts last week without defender Connor Goldson and he was left on the bench again. Borna Barisic came in for the injured Abdallah Sima, with Dujon Sterling moving from left-back into attack, while Fabio Silva replaced the injured Rabbi Matondo.
Ryan Strain, Conor McMenamin, Bolton and Mandron returned for the home side, who could have taken the lead inside a minute. Hesitating Gers skipper James Tavernier was caught in possession by Mikael Mandron but the Saints striker’s drive was saved by Ibrox keeper Jack Butland.
An open game unfolded further. Rangers midfielder John Lundstram, who has reportedly reached an agreement with Trabzonspor for a move in the summer, curled a shot wide of the far post after the home side cleared a corner then drove wide from the edge of the box.
Butland made another good save from a Mandron effort as the Ibrox defence melted again, although an offside flag went up.
McMenamin had a deflected shot saved by Butland before Silva broke clear at the other end but took too long and his shot was blocked by defender Alex Gogic for a corner, after which the Saints keeper made terrific saves from Lundstram and Tavernier.
Saints fans booed loudly when Portuguese attacker Silva appeared to go down too easily in the penalty area following a challenge by Gogic.
Rangers’ opener came from a short corner. Barisic’s deep cross was tipped by Hemming on to the head of Mohamed Diomande and when the midfielder’s header came back across goal, Bolton could only turn it over the line in trying to keep Dessers at bay.
However, the Paisley side were soon level when Mandron held off defender Leon Balogun to head skipper Mark O’Hara’s swirling cross low past Butland.
Saints sensed another goal was there for the taking and Butland made a world-class save from Bolton’s shot just before the break.
Winger Ross McCausland replaced the ineffective Silva in the 55th minute as Rangers struggled to show any discernible improvement. The Govan side were at times visibly frustrated with their inability to gain control of the game.
In the 67th minute Gers midfielder Todd Cantwell drove into the St Mirren box but curled the ball past the far post.
However, it was a cross of real quality which helped restore Rangers’ lead, Tavernier’s pin-point delivery from the right finding the head of Dessers who headed past Hemming to the relief of the Gers fans behind the goal.
A miraculous goal-line clearance from Gogic stopped substitute Tom Lawrence making it 3-1, the Buddies defender somehow making up yards of ground, with Balogun’s tackle on Saints substitute Olutoyosi Olusanya at the other end moments later equally significant.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Let's see at the statistics of the 4 Lords. And Man City are back. PSG are reportedly helping save Lyon from RELEGATION to Ligue 2! PALMEIRAS BEAT BOTAFOGO IN EXTRA TIME TO REACH THE LAST EIGHT OF THE CLUB WORLD CUP Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami have The HARDEST ROUTE to The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup FINAL! It took a long delay and extra time, but Chel...
Williams demands guarantee from Barca amid fears of Olmo situationAccording to Marca, Nico Williams has reportedly informed Athletic Club through his agent that he wants to don the Barcelona shirt from next season and is close to signing a six-year contract. However, the player reportedly wants a guarantee from Barca that they will be able to register him with La Liga after triggering his release ...
ATLANTA -- Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique warned his players against ignoring the offensive threats of Inter Miami in Sunday's Club World Cup round-of-16 match, emphasizing the damage that can be done by experienced stars Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets."Anyone who relaxes for 10 seconds in football already knows where they are. It's not like there's no dou...
Arsenal finished second in the Premier League for a third successive season in 2024-25 – but the fact that Liverpool leapfrogged them was undoubtedly frustrating.In 2022-23, the Gunners were runners-up with 84 points, five points behind champions Manchester City. A year later, they improved to 89 points, closing the gap to Pep Guardiola's side to two points.The 2024-25 campaign looked like t...
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is reportedly keen to bring in his former colleague Acacio Valentim as part of a coaching reshuffle.The Portuguese boss is eager to avoid another disappointing season following a wretched first year in charge. In his debut season, Amorim led the Red Devils to a 14th place finish in the Premier League and suffered defeat in the Europa League final against Spur...
Cristiano Ronaldo to join up with Portuguese boss at Al-NassrAl-Nassr have reached an agreement with veteran Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus and look set to announce him as their new manager.The Saudi Pro League club have been looking for a new manager following Stefano Pioli’s decision to step down and return to Italy with Fiorentina.Jesus, 70, who left Al-Hilal at the end of the 2024-25 campa...
Raphinha keen to see Nico Williams at BarcelonaBarcelona winger Raphinha was full of praise for reported target Nico Williams as the club step up their pursuit of the Spain international.Barcelona are working tirelessly to bring the 22-year-old to the Camo Nou having been heavily linked with him for the past two years.Williams is understood to be keen on the move but his current club, Athletic, ar...
Alexander-Arnold: Real Madrid won't take Juventus lightlyTrent Alexander-Arnold says Real Madrid players are determined to win the Club World Cup.Real will meet Juventus in the tournament's round of 16 this weekend.New fullback signing Alexander-Arnold declared: "Both are very good teams (City and Juve), not least because they made it through the group stage."It's always going to be tough, no matt...
Pogba drops fresh Monaco move teaser onlinePaul Pogba has hinted he's set to undergo his medical with AS Monaco.The France international is due to sign for Monaco as a free agent after he passes his medical tests in the Principality.Pogba has dropped a hint on social media about his activities amid reports that he is due in France this weekend to complete his return to football.Pogba posted a self...
Raphinha happy to see Barcelona miss out on FIFA Club World CupBarcelona ace Raphinha has criticised the sheer number of game top clubs are having to play as the FIFA Club World Cup reaches the latter stages.Barcelona missed out on a place in the FIFA Club World Cup due to their poor performances in recent Champions League campaign.Raphinha doesn’t appear to be too bothered, however, hitting...
- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Club World Cup 2025: Benfica v Chelsea predictions, best bets and odds
- 3 Raphinha happy to see Barcelona miss out on FIFA Club World Cup
- 4 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 5 Arsenal interested in signing Cristhian Mosquera
- 6 Wayne Rooney gets Erling Haaland ponytail in shock new look
- 7 Arsenal have little chance of Liverpool target
- 8 Mystery blonde who had night out with Kieran Trippier
- 9 Man United close in on Bryan Mbeumo
- 10 Chelsea transfer at 'final stages'