Vaclav Cerny scored in each half and returning Ianis Hagi was sent off to add some late drama to Rangers’ 2-0 victory over St Johnstone at Ibrox.
The Light Blues were thumped 4-1 at home by French side Lyon in the Europa League on Thursday night and improvement was expected on their return to William Hill Premiership duty but they failed to sparkle.
Simo Valakari viewed his first game as Saints boss from the directors’ box while waiting for a work permit and his side worked hard to keep the Gers at bay until the 34th minute when an accomplished finish by the Czech Republic winger broke the deadlock and he added a second in the 58th minute before the drama with Hagi unfolded.
The Romania midfielder, back in the squad for the first time this season after a contract issue was resolved, came off the bench for the second half and was booked for a foul on Saints striker Benjamin Kimpioka in the 80th minute before a VAR check saw referee David Dickinson flash a red card, leaving the home side a man short for the final minutes.
Philippe Clement’s side saw out the game to go into the international break five points behind Celtic and Aberdeen but it was far from impressive, leaving aside Hagi’s indiscretion.
There was one enforced change from Thursday for Clement after midfielder Tom Lawrence sustained a hamstring injury which ruled him out, while Connor Barron dropped to the bench with Nico Raskin and Ross McCausland coming in.
Valakari watched from the main stand with interim bosses Andy Kirk and Alec Cleland continuing to take charge from the technical area.
Rangers enjoyed plenty of the ball in the early stages and striker Cyriel Dessers headed a corner from skipper James Tavernier over the crossbar in the eighth minute when he ought to have hit the target at least.
Kimpioka was doing a decent job occupying the Gers defence but the Govan side kept probing in attack.
Saints defender Jack Sanders then blocked a goal-bound drive from midfielder Mohamed Diomande as the home side kept up the pressure.
However, eventually Rangers got the breakthrough, Cerny sticking the ball through the legs of Sven Sprangler before guiding the ball from 20 yards past goalkeeper Ross Sinclair and into the far corner of the net.
The Czech Republic international, on loan from Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg, celebrated his goal then ran to the sidelines for a hug from Clement.
There was a huge cheer from the Gers fans when the popular Hagi took over from Ross McCausland at the start of the second-half with Connor Barron on for Diomande.
Hagi’s last game was in the League Cup against Morton in August, 2023 before he went on loan to Spanish side Alaves and the Gers fans were looking for inspiration from the playmaker.
And after Saints substitute Cammy MacPherson had conceded possession, he set up Cerny inside the box and he turned St Johnstone defender Lewis Neilson before driving low past Sinclair.
St Johnstone had plenty of attacking options on the pitch and – in the 67th minute – home goalkeeper Jack Butland had to save from Mackenzie Kirk after he had brushed past Ibrox defender Robin Propper, with Kimpioka waiting for a square ball.
Then came the late drama. Hagi was originally booked for a foul on Kimpioka but after being sent to his pitchside monitor, referee Dickinson upgraded the card to red and the Light Blues were left with 10 men.
Former Gers attacker Nicky Clark had the ball in the Rangers net in the 84th minute but was ruled offside, preventing a nervy finish for the home side.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. The reason why Man City lost 5 matches in a row Erling Haaland lol Cucuruku Cook that thing… This The Man United cycle. This Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball, FootballLaughss, PL__OOC)...
The Portuguese has promised to not sign any Sporting CP stars in the winter window.However, all bets are off in the summer, with A Bola stating that Geovany Quenda is the main target.United are said to be preparing an offer of £50M plus bonuses to secure the young winger.Amorim can use Quenda in either wing-back position, while he is also capable of playing in the front three.Another player U...
The Algerian's contract expires in the summer of 2026 and he is believed to be eyeing a move away from Molineux.Rayan Ait-Nouri is wanted by Man UtdThat has put United are on red alert for a player as Amorim has made signing a left-back a priority.He wants to boost his options give Luke Shaw's injury record.Shaw could also eventually move into the back-three once the former Sporting Lisbon manager...
Mohamed Salah has said he is yet to receive a formal contract offer from Liverpool, adding that he is "more out than in" regarding whether he will stay at the club next season.Salah, whose contract is set to expire next summer, has enjoyed an impressive individual campaign, having scored 12 goals in all competitions this term, including a brace in Liverpool's 3-2 comeback win over Southampton on S...
Real Madrid monitoring Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite🚨👀 #Branthwaite is attracting the attention of 🇪🇺 top clubs.📃 #RealMadrid included the CB in their list of potential January targets, while 🏴 teams continue to monitor him ahead of June.💰 #Everton would like to keep him but are also open to evaluating bids >€70m. 🐓⚽ pic.twitter.com/5lpoomMdyp— Rudy Galetti (@RudyGaletti) Novem...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. EPL Week 12 Ipswich 1-1 Man Utd Southampton 2-3 Liverpool LOL OUCH Cristiano Ronaldo now has 500 more Goals than Henry When a taxi driver asked Messi to take photo of him with Mascherano... Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Just toon it, trollfootball, The Football Arena, AZR Organization)...
Leicester City open talks with Van Nistelrooy over head coach job🚨🗣️ #Leicester have approached Ruud #vanNistelrooy to explore the negotiation margins to replace Steve Cooper on their bench.📃 David #Moyes and other names are under evaluation, but #LCFC would like to convince the 🇳🇱 manager as a priority. 🐓⚽ #Transfers pic.twitter.com/xsz3TT9q7P— Rudy Galetti (@RudyGaletti) November 24, 2024H...
Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe was happy scoring in their win at Leganes.Real won 3-0 on Sunday, with Mbappe opening the scoring on the night.He later told RMTV: "I started well, with rhythm with my teammates, in a different position. As I said the first day I arrived here, I can play in many different positions and I will play to give my best, it is the story of my career, I play on the right,...
Leicester City have confirmed they have sacked manager Steve Cooper. The 44-year-old took charge for the final time on. Saturday, with the Foxes beaten at home by Chelsea in the Premier League.He leaves with Leicester 16th in the table, just two points above the relegation zone after being promoted under Enzo Maresca last season.Steve Cooper after Leicester's 2-1 loss to Chelsea.In a released stat...
Ruben Amorim said Manchester United will have to "suffer for a long period" before his methods help the club enjoy success again after a 1-1 draw at Ipswich Town denied the new head coach a debut win in his first game in charge.Marcus Rashford's opening goal after 81 seconds had given United a dream start at Portman Road, but Omari Hutchinson's equaliser sealed a point for Kieran McKenna's team an...
- 1 I am not a lunatic – Craig Bellamy glad to show different side in Wales dugout
- 2 Roy Keane’s daughter pictured with Taylor Harwood-Bellis for first time
- 3 Johnnie Jackson bemoans refereeing decisions after dramatic Dons draw
- 4 Liam Cullen leads Wales to Nations League promotion
- 5 Ex-Prem ace asked Liverpool star for his sister's phone number
- 6 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 7 Mascherano nears Miami; Martino exits
- 8 Mia Khalifa slams rumours of 'affair with ex-Prem star Julian Alvarez'
- 9 Daily Laugh - Antony and his latest ManUtd session
- 10 Chloe Kelly sends fans wild in daring outfit at GQ Men of the Year