Rangers got back to winning ways in the Scottish Premiership with a 2-1 victory over St Mirren at Ibrox.
Aberdeen had overcome Dundee United to heap the pressure on Philippe Clement’s side ahead of the 3pm kick-offs in the Scottish Premiership this afternoon.
And the Ibrox side rose the occasion despite a stuttering performance after Rangers had dropped James Tavernier from the starting lineup.
Mohamed Diomande opened the scoring only for Alex Gogic to equalise from a corner, with Vaclav Cerny eventually scoring a second half winner 20 minutes from time.
Here’s how the Rangers team rated as the club secured a tight 2-1 victory over St Mirren.
Rangers player ratings v St Mirren (Scottish Premiership)
Jack Butland – 7
The Rangers goalkeeper had the captain’s armband on at Ibrox and dealt with mostly everything that came his way.
But for some wasteful St Mirren finishing the stopper might’ve been called into action more regularly.
No exaggeration to say Jack Butland was Rangers’ best defensive passer of the first hour of the game.
Neraysho Kasanwirjo – 6
Came in for James Tavernier and frustrated supporters with a lack of pace and urgency in his play.
But there were some real moments of quality at right-back, with the defender hitting the bar and rasping a fine ball in across the box in the first-half.
Looked assured at centre-back after the Rangers skipper was introduced.
Robin Propper – 3
A poor performance from Robin Propper who was bullied by St Mirren striker Toyosi Olusanya all game and but for some poor finishing, might’ve cost the side big time.
Outfought and outmuscled throughout, play also slowed down when it went through the Dutchman who really is struggling to win over Ibrox fans.
Hooked after an afternoon of slicing passes over the byline and being utterly roasted by St Mirren’s physicality. Big questions.
Leon Balogun – 6
The most experienced head on the park but continues to play with a little bit of nervousness, perhaps connected to the lack of certainty across the backline.
This was a very new-look defence and Leon Balogun was probably its best performer, but it wasn’t exactly a shining performance from Leon either.
Caught in possession a few times and struggled on the ball, the 36-year-old has a role to play at Rangers but cannot be our long-term first choice.
Jefte – 6
Brazilian left-back Jefte has credit with the support and is always full of endeavour for Rangers.
But the 20-year-old does look increasingly tired and whilst his application was scarcely missing, the quality often was.
Misplaced passes, poor touches and routinely leaving the ball behind, there’s already some fatigue there and Ridvan Yilmaz can’t come back soon enough.
Connor Barron – 6
Connor Barron snapped into tackles and always showed for the ball at Ibrox, but that quality killer pass consistently evaded the midfielder.
A tidy player who could also be suffering from his relentless exposure to the first-team, Barron is an industrious player but Rangers’ midfield looks so energy-sapped and unstructured at times.
Eventually hooked for Dujon Sterling.
Nico Raskin – 8 (Player of the Match)
Handed the sponsor’s Player of the Match award at Ibrox and not without good reason.
Philippe Clement will be happy to have Nico Raskin back in his side with the midfielder an enthusiastic player who is not shy to get on the ball and play forward.
Whilst also contributing to that real lack of control that is evident in the Rangers midfield, this was a promising display and something to build on.
Took a first-half shot which the goalkeeper parried into the path of Mohamed Diomande for the Ivorian to open the scoring.
Mohamed Diomande – 7
There is no doubt about Mohamed Diomande’s technical quality and the midfielder popped up with an important goal at Ibrox.
Rangers are still trying to get the best from the Ivorian international who showed some excellent touches and repeatedly found space with nice touches and control.
There is still more to come and Rangers must work on finding it.
Nedim Bajrami – 7
Nedim Bajrami is probably the most talented player of those that arrived in Glasgow this summer and he put in another impressive display against St Mirren.
A creative player with immense control, Bajrami fashioned a number of openings and would’ve got on the scoresheet if Dessers had squared to him in the closing stages of the game.
Grew as the match went on but there’s a feeling the Albanian international is a tad wasted out wide.
Vaclav Cerny – 7
Rangers’ match winner is a title which is becoming more and more frequently attached to Vaclav Cerny, who is rising to the challenge at Ibrox.
The Czech winger netted his fourth goal in eight Premiership matches for Rangers and whilst moves often broke down with Cerny, the Wolfsburg loanee put in a shift out on the right.
Has the ability to take players on and make a difference, but struggles on his right foot.
Hamza Igamane – 4
Rangers fans were excited to see Hamza Igamane handed a start against St Mirren but the game started on the back foot for the striker.
After scoring his first goal for the team against FCSB, Igamane was booked within the first minute v St Mirren and played like it for the rest of the half.
Struggling to put himself about with the booking playing on his head, the young Moroccan was hooked at halftime.
Substitutions:
Cyriel Dessers – 5 – brought on to add physicality and quality in the final third. Did so in patches and played a role in the winner but spends too much time on the deck.
James Tavernier – 6 – Rangers showed much more urgency when the captain was introduced and it’s clear the right-back remains a key player for the side.
Dujon Sterling – 4 – Had little time to make an impact but put himself about.
Ross McCausland – 5 – Bright cameo from the Ulsterman, who got at the St Mirren defence and fashioned a few chances.
