Rangers have reclaimed top spot in the Scottish Premiership after a 3-0 victory over St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park.
A first half wonder strike from January signing Mohamed Diomande proceeded two second half penalties from captain James Tavernier.
The result ensures Rangers have moved two points clear of Celtic in the Scottish Premiership table, the Gers leapfrogging their Old Firm rivals following their 1-1 draw v Kilmarnock on Saturday afternoon.
Here’s five things we learned as Rangers take their latest step towards the Premiership trophy:
Rangers show title credentials v St Johnstone
If you need any evidence that things are different this time around for Rangers, you need only have watched the build-up to the visit to St Johnstone.
Many of this Rangers team have been accused of fluffing their lines when they’ve had the chance to turn the screw on Celtic but there was no such stage fright here.
Whilst as expected St Johnstone made this game a tough battle – on a cabbage patch of a pitch – there were few doubts Rangers would get the three points here.
Now firmly at the summit of the Scottish Premiership, there are few doubts with Philippe Clement at the helm this squad has the power to stay there.
Table-topping Scottish Premiership form built on defence
As our friend Ian Crocker couldn’t resist repeating on Sky Sports, Rangers have only conceded four goals on away duties in the Scottish Premiership this season.
Quite remarkably, after the 3-0 victory at McDiarmid Park, Rangers are yet to concede even a shot on target in three matches with St Johnstone this season.
It’s been a quite remarkable shift from the club’s defensive line this season, conceding only 13 goals in 26 Premiership games, keeping 15 clean sheets.
With Jack Butland at the foundation, Rangers stalwarts James Tavernier and Connor Goldson have been regulars with John Souttar and Borna Barisic slotting in nicely v St Johnstone.
Rangers January quality on show v St Johnstone
All three of Rangers’ January signings started the match v St Johnstone with Mohamed Diomande, Oscar Cortes, and Fabio Silva enjoying different games in Perth.
Diomande – who is still getting up to speed following his switch from FC Nordsjælland – opened his account with a long-range first-half stunner.
Oscar Cortes, who had continued his budding love affair with Rangers on Instagram before the match, will certainly have better games although the St Johnstone pitch didn’t aid his cause.
Fabio Silva is much more than just a flair player too, the Portuguese forward a hard-working and honest performer of real quality who is winning over fans by the game.
All three represent quality additions to the club’s squad and we can reflect on a solid month of business in Philippe Clement’s first window.
Dujon Sterling can play anywhere
When Scott Wright was hooked for Dujon Sterling at half-time, there were few Rangers fans inside the ground surprised.
The Ibrox winger cut a frustrated figure in the first-half and struggled against an expectant Rangers crowd who are increasingly heaping the pressure on the wide man.
But whilst Wright continues to be trusted by Rangers managers, the fact Dujon Sterling replaced him certainly turned a few heads.
Adding right-winger to the list of positions he’s now played for Rangers – left-wing, midfield, right-back and left-back already ticked off – the ex-Chelsea talent is the club’s Mr Versatile.
And he even managed to win a penalty.
James Tavernier now Mr Reliable
If understudy Dujon Sterling is Rangers’ Mr Versatile, then captain James Tavernier is the club’s Mr Reliable.
The athletic, purring right-back has taken huge strides in the defensive side of his game and looks an increasingly composed and controlled presence coming out of the right-hand side.
There’s a maturity and calmness to Tav’s game which is reflective of the entire team at present.
Against St Johnstone the club’s captain fantastic was once again everywhere, starting out right, drifting into midfield and even winding up in the Saints’ box.
A right-back, right-winger, playmaker, box-to-box midfielder, six-yard box poacher, and penalty-take extraordinaire all wrapped into one, what a player the Rangers captain is.
Goals number 119 and 120 won’t be his last for the club.
