Rangers fans’ boosted by hopes of rejuvenation under potential new ownership left Ibrox raging after a chastening 2-0 William Hill Premiership defeat by St Mirren.
Reports this week claimed the Govan club are in advanced talks about a multi-million investment from a USA-led consortium which includes Paraag Marathe, president of 49ers Enterprises, and chairman of Leeds.
That prospect excited supporters but new hope met current reality as the home fans endured a disjointed, laboured performance with second-half goals from striker Mikael Mandron and substitute Toyosi Olusanya handing the Paisley side their first win at Ibrox since November, 1991.
Just before the break, Gers striker Hamza Igamane was shown a straight red car by referee Kevin Clancy for a foul on Saints skipper Mark O’Hara only for it to be downgraded to a yellow by the official after his VAR asked him to check his monitor but that made no difference.
It was a first return to Govan for Rangers since the humiliating Scottish Gas Scottish Cup defeat to Championship side Queen’s Park and a successive home defeat had the enraged Gers fans again lambasting manager Philippe Clement and the players.
Rangers remain 13 points behind league leaders Celtic, who lost 2-1 at Hibernian earlier in the day, but the Light Blues fans have long since accepted the likelihood of a trophy-less domestic season, albeit they have a Europa League last-16 tie against Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce to come in March.
St Mirren, with Jonah Ayunga in for Olusanya, had already beaten Rangers 2-1 in Paisley on Boxing Day, and they almost got off to a flier.
In the eighth minute, as the Buddies pressed high, Light Blues keeper Jack Butland passed straight to Ayunga and he did well to beat away the striker’s powerful shot before Mandron’s shot flew over the bar, taking a touch on the way, with the home side surviving the corner.
Moments later, Paisley keeper Zach Hemming parried a left-footed drive from Gers winger Vaclav Cerny.
However, Rangers’ response was limited with the visiting side well-organised in defence and threatening in attack, with Propper doing well in the 41st minute to defend a cut-back from Ryan Alebiosu with Mandron putting him under pressure.
The biggest talking point of the first 45 minutes came when Igamane was sent packing by referee Clancy after leaving O’Hara crumpled on the ground but after a VAR intervention, the official checked his monitor and opted for a yellow.
There was more drama six minutes after the restart when Mandron raced through to lash a shot low past Butland.
Clancy ruled it out for a foul on Gers defender Clinton Nsiala 25 yards from goal but after a long VAR check, the official was again sent to his monitor and he indicated a Saints goal – French defender Nsiala appeared to trip himself up – allowing the St Mirren fans to celebrate again and the Gers supporters to grumble more vociferously.
Fit-again Danilo replaced Igamane before Hemming saved a decent long-distance shot from midfielder Nico Raskin before Cerny drove an effort wide from just inside the box.
Rangers became increasingly desperate and there was more trouble to deal with in the 70th minute when Olusanya, on the pitch five minutes, out-muscled Nsiala and drove past Butland to bring more boos in the Ibrox stands from those not wearing black and white.
Cerny struck the bar at the end of added time but soon the boos rung round the stadium again.
[(Gangwon FC) Strength]: 1. Last season in the Korean FA Cup, Gangwon FC were eliminated in the Round of 16. This season, the team have made a breakthrough so far and have advanced to the semi-finals. In this second leg, they will play at home and have a strong desire to win.2. Lee Ji Ho, a forward of Gangwon FC, has had limited playing time this season. However, he has maintained high offensive e...
[(Everton F.C.) Strength]: 1. On August 24th, in the 2nd round of the Premier League, Everton F.C. secured a comfortable 2-0 home victory over Brighton & Hove Albion F.C., with Jack Grealish providing two assists and putting in an impressive performance.2. Everton F.C. kept unbeaten in the last 3 Premier League home games with 2 wins and 1 draw, showing excellent performances.3. Everton F.C. h...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus are on a 2-game losing streak. They are motivated to win this home game to boost their morale.2. Soichiro Mori scored a goal and made an assist in the last game, showing outstanding form.3. Nagoya Grampus secured a 3-game winning streak in their last 3 encounters between both sides, giving them a better mentality.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya ...
[(Grimsby Town F.C.) Strength]: 1. Grimsby Town F.C. player Jaze Kabia scored in the last game, with reliable form.2. Grimsby Town F.C. drew 1-1 against Accrington Stanley in the last game, but they still kept unbeaten among all events in the new season, being in stable form.3. Grimsby Town F.C.'s home performance was outstanding. They won all the last 3 home games.4. Grimsby Town F.C. have a good...
[(FC Machida Zelvia) Strength]: 1. FC Machida Zelvia are undoubtedly motivated to win this home game to qualify for the semi-finals.2. Yuki Soma scored 10 goals and made 6 assists across all competitions this season, being important on the team's offense.3. FC Machida Zelvia drew 0-0 with Yokohama F. Marinos in the last game. They were unbeaten with 11 wins and 1 draw in the last 12 games, showing...
[(Reading F.C.) Strength]: 1. Reading F.C. are playing in the EFL League One this season and are on a 3-game winless run lately. They need to return to winning ways, indicating full motivation in this game.2. Lewis Wing scored a goal and made an assist in the last game, helping the team tie with Wycombe Wanderers F.C.3. Reading F.C. won the last 2 games in AH, revealing recent performances in line...
[(Sheffield Wed) Strength]: 1. Sheffield Wed have a rather impressive track record in the EFL Cup. In the first round of this season, they defeated Bolton Wanderers F.C., another team from the EFL Championship, and have posted 3 wins and 2 draws in their last 5 EFL Cup games.2. Sheffield Wed lost only 1 of the last 5 games in AH with stable performances. They ended all the last 4 games with OVER.[...
[(Eintracht Braunschweig) Strength]: 1. As a 2. Bundesliga side, Eintracht Braunschweig have made a solid start to the new season. Having been eliminated in the first round of the DFB-Pokal in each of the past two seasons, the team will undoubtedly be eager to achieve a better performance when they compete in the tournament again this season. Therefore, they will be full of determination when faci...
[(Sturm Graz) Strength]: 1. Sturm Graz suffered a crushing defeat in the first leg on the road. In this home match, they have to go all out to attack, with full motivation to win.2. Sturm Graz midfielder Otar Kiteishvili scored 4 goals in three league games this season, performing excellently in the league. As the starting forward of the team, his performance in this match is worth keeping an eye ...
[(Burnley) Strength]: 1. Burnley's key midfielder Josh Cullen not only opened the scoring for the team in the last game but also provided an assist, emerging as the biggest contributor to the victory with an outstanding individual performance.2. Burnley claimed a comfortable 2-0 win over Sunderland in their last game, securing their first victory of the new Premier League season and boosting the t...
- 1 Ruben Amorim gives cryptic response when asked about Andre Onana returning to starting XI for Fulham clash after Altay Bayindir blunder handed Arsenal victory
- 2 'Victory Bodes Well for Future' – Gasperini Delighted with Roma’s Opening Day Win
- 3 TIPS - Eintracht Frankfurt VS Werder Bremen
- 4 Transfer rumors, news: Arsenal could turn to Lyon's Fofana
- 5 Antony’s Man United Exit Hopes Rest on Fresh Real Betis Bid Within 'Next 24 Hours'
- 6 TIPS - Cerezo Osaka VS Vissel Kobe
- 7 TIPS - Gamba Osaka VS Yokohama FC
- 8 TIPS - Schalke 04 VS VfL Bochum
- 9 TIPS - Sunderland A.F.C. VS Huddersfield Town A.F.C.
- 10 TIPS - Olympique de Marseille VS Paris FC