Rangers 2-0 St Johnstone: Cyriel Dessers and James Tavernier hand Philippe Clement’s men a routine win against 10-man visitors to move within two points of Celtic at the top of the table
- Cyriel Dessers came on as an early substitute to fire Rangers in front at Ibrox
- St Johnstone were reduced to 10 men, before James Tavernier scored a second
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As Celtic Park simmered with anger during defeat to Hearts last Saturday, Santa Claus found himself being booed when appearing to conduct the half-time draw.
A more festive welcome was received on the other side of Glasgow. Appearing from the tunnel to brandish the freshly unwrapped Viaplay Cup, Father Christmas was cheered loudly by a crowd relishing the recent pivot in Old Firm fortunes.
Such is the way of football in this city. And, for Rangers, the gifts bestowed here didn’t end with an amusing piece of interval one-upmanship.
By the time of Santa’s arrival – direct from the North Pole, of course – St Johnstone were already a goal and a man down.
A late penalty from Hampden hero James Tavernier then ensured Philippe Clement’s side would move to within two points of Celtic at the Premiership summit – with a game in hand. After a week of making history, momentum was successfully maintained as the Belgian extended his unbeaten run to 15 matches.
Cyriel Dessers (pictured) came off the bench to fire Rangers into the lead in the 28th minute
Dessers was delighted with his goal as he made a quick impact after replacing Kemar Roofe
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Nothing at this time of year comes cheap, though. For Rangers, the price tag came in a first half injury to the jinxed Kemar Roofe and a non-appearance for the second period by John Lundstram, who was on the receiving end of the challenge that led to Diallang Jaiyesimi’s VAR-enforced red card.
In between times, however, Cyriel Dessers continued his recent run of confidence by replacing Roofe and firing Rangers in front. It was a well-taken strike.
Saints goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov then threw up a wall to prevent Rangers scoring again until conceding the spot-kick by toppling Dessers. Craig Levein’s men, who drop to ninth, ended a difficult evening without a shot on target.
MATCH FACTS & PLAYER RATINGS
Rangers (4-2-3-1): Butland 6; Tavernier 7 (King 86), Goldson 7, Souttar 7, Yilmaz 5; Lundstram 6 (Sterling 46), Dowell 7; McCausland 6, Lammers 5 (Cantwell 67), Sima 6 (Wright 67); Roofe 2 (Dessers 16).
Scorers: Dessers 28, Tavernier pen 84
Booked: Goldson, Cantwell
St Johnstone (5-4-1): MITOV 8; Franczak 6 (Gallagher 60), Oulfunwa 6 (McGowan 72), Gordon 6, Considine 6, Robinson 6; Kucheravyi 5, Smith 6 (Costelloe 72), Phillips 6 (Carey 72), Sprangler 4 (Kane 35); Jaiyesimi 2.
Booked: Smith
Sent off: Jaiyesimi 33
Referee: Alan Muir
Attendance: 46,931
For Clement, this was precisely the kind of assignment his team must continue to tick off if further success is to be gained. Motherwell and Ross County are next up before the potentially seismic visit to Parkhead on December 30. For now, the Ibrox men are on a roll.
Clement had allowed his players Sunday evening to celebrate the first silverware of the season before getting straight back down to business. Even so, rotation was essential amid a hugely congested fixture list.
The Ibrox manager made five changes from Hampden, with one name particularly notable among those introduced.
Kieran Dowell’s only previous involvement under Clement had been the final five minutes of a 5-0 win at Dens Park on November 1.
Signed from Norwich City in the summer, the midfielder hadn’t started a game since Michael Beale’s side Viaplay Cup win over Morton in mid-August. This, then, was a long-awaited chance to remind of his worth.
An early delay caused by John Souttar suffering a bloodied nose set the tone for a fractured opening period.
Before too much longer, a seemingly more serious issue had done for Roofe. The ex-Anderlecht striker had earlier headed wide from a Tavernier cross and seen a powerful drive blocked by Andrew Considine.
James Tavernier slotted home a penalty late on to wrap up a routine win for the hosts
Rangers have now moved to within two points of Celtic and have a game in hand
The second of those actions was to be his last involvement of note. Clearly not able to move as freely as he would like, Roofe’s upset was obvious as he made a 16th minute exit. His jersey was pulled up to his face as he walked towards the tunnel, stopping only to accept the consolations of replacement Dessers and manager Clement.
That blow wasn’t the only thing to trouble the Ibrox boss. When Abdallah Sima cleverly dummied a low cross from Tavernier, Ridvan Yilmaz managed to stand on the ball when a strike was on. Clement spun on his heels in disgust.
Replacing Borna Barisic at left-back, Yilmaz’s first half was a perplexing mix of good and bad. Far more consistency could be found on the opposite flank.
After 28 minutes, Connor Goldson strode out of defence to feed Tavernier. The Rangers skipper took a look up before sweeping a cross from deep into the centre of the penalty area.
Saints defender Oludare Olufunwa couldn’t cut it out on the bounce and, having peeled off his marker, Dessers was in. Letting the ball run across his body, he calmly slotted past Mitov before celebrating with an archer motion in front of the home support. Target hit.
St Johnstone had Diallang Jaiyesimi sent off shortly after the half hour mark
Two minutes later, the Perth side were placed in much deeper bother. Ibrox immediately responded with fury when Jaiyesimi lunged into a challenge on Lundstram with some force, leaving the home midfielder writhing in pain.
Referee Alan Muir initially showed a yellow card, but the big screens quickly confirmed a VAR check was underway for serious foul play. After being summoned to the touchline, Muir rescinded his initial booking and produced a red card.
Levein reacted by replacing Sven Sprangler with Chris Kane to try and offer a physical presence up front. Getting the ball forward hadn’t been a particularly easy with a full complement of players, though. Now the difficulty was doubled.
Dessers and Sam Lammers both had shots held by Mitov prior to the break. Of greater concern to Rangers was the fact Lundstram didn’t reappear after it. His place went to Dujon Sterling.
The Ibrox men still needed a second goal to feel secure. Mitov, though, proved a formidable obstacle to that aim.
An excellent summer recruit from Cambridge, the Bulgarian excelled to deny Lammers before Dessers claimed optimistically for a penalty on the follow-up.
Mitov then pushed one clear from the Nigerian striker and superbly clawed out another Lammers strike from the top corner. The Dutchman, who otherwise became bogged down with some unconvincing touches, was starting to take this personally.
Philippe Clement’s side have reeled in Celtic in recent weeks after a slow start to the season
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Accuracy then deserted Rangers. Sima smashed a right-foot shot wide before Todd Cantwell – on for Lammers – lashed over the top.
With Tavernier then hitting the side-netting after Mitov pushed out a cross, anxiety started to creep around Ibrox. One chance was all St Johnstone would need to completely change the mood.
It didn’t arrive. Instead, with six minutes remaining, Rangers finally had the breathing space they needed. A through-ball from substitute Scott Wright sent Dessers scampering into the area.
Out came Mitov to dive at his feet and down went the forward. VAR agreed with Muir’s spot-kick decision and Tavernier stuck it away.
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