Rangers returned to domestic action with St Johnstone the visitors for a fixture that was squeezed in on the same day as the Glasgow running festival.
The manager has a few injury issues in the squad that should look better on the other side of the international break with a packed Ibrox that looked for a sign that the season isn’t going to be a long slog.
Here are your Rangers player ratings for the visit of St Johnstone as the home side ran out comfortable winners.
Rangers player ratings vs St Johnstone
Philippe Clement demanded more from his players after the defeat to Lyon and this is how they rated:
Jack Butland – 7
Had almost nothing to do as Rangers defended with a high line and kept St Johnstone at bay.
Made one stunning stop at 2-0 up after a slip from Nicolas Raskin, however, he got luck with one corner that he came for and missed.
Incredible diving header to sweep up behind his defence with his side down to 10-men.
James Tavernier – 7
Much better from Tavernier.
Another who saw his place in the team questioned but proved Clement’s decision to be the correct one.
Fired in a series of dangerous set plays and crosses from the right.
Ended the game on the right-wing, ironically, eight years after fans wanted the skipper to play there!
Jefte – 7
Continues to impress.
Looked to overlap whenever possible and was a constant menace to St Johnstone carrying the ball out from the back.
Robin Propper – 7
Solid enough from Propper although he did have one loose moment that Jack Butland bailed him out with.
John Souttar – 8
Another good 90 minutes from Souttar who dealt with everything that was thrown at him.
Nicolas Raskin – 8
Outstanding performance from the Belgian who showed the composure and quality on the ball that has sometimes been missing from midfield this season.
Tenacious in the tackle and always looked to play forwards when he had the ball.
Mohamed Diomande – 5
A real mixed bag from Diomande.
Never stopped trying to make something happen but it just wasn’t his night.
Nedim Bajrami – 7
Didn’t have as much space in the middle of the attack but worked tirelessly trying to make something happen.
Looked to pull the strings and dictate the tempo from higher up the park and kept the ball moving.
Ross McCausland – 4
Every time the ball came near him, he either gave it away or committed a foul.
Needs to start making the sort of contribution he makes off the bench when he is given a chance from the start.
Can never fault his work rate though and it is easy to see why Clement likes him.
Cyriel Dessers – 3
When he is in a poor run of form, he is almost a man down.
As with McCausland, almost every promising attack seemed to break down when it got to the Gers number nine.
Consistency remains his biggest problem
Vaclav Cerny – 9
What a way to bounce back.
Silenced the critics, for now, with two stunning goals and could easily have had a few assists too.
Substitutes
Ianis Hagi – 7
So unlucky to be sent off given what David Dickinson had let go during the match but showed what Rangers have missed with an inch perfect pass for Cerny for the second goal.
Hamza Igamane – 6
Needs to relax.
Almost trying too hard to get his first Rangers goal but if he keeps getting into the same positions, it will come.
Dujon Sterling – 5
Not on long enough to make any real sort of contribution.
Nerasyho Kasanwirjo – 7
Nearly scored an absolute screamer as he came on at right-back.
Solid defensively.
Connor Barron – 7
Usual shift from Barron after coming on for Diomande at half-time to rotate the workload.
