Rangers got back to winning ways against St Johnstone in the Premier Sports Cup following their midweek Champions League disappointment.
The Ibrox side are counting the cost of a failure to reach the Champions League with Philippe Clement admitting there had been a lull in his squad this week as a result.
But the Belgian manager’s team have come through a potentially tricky tie with Scottish Premiership rivals St Johnstone to book themselves a place in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final.
Second half goals from substitutes Cyriel Dessers and Ross McCausland secured the victory but the match was not without controversy.
Dessers’ opener was subject to a VAR review after referee Matthew McDermid had given a free-kick having controversially allowed Dessers to play on and finish.
Having suggested there was a foul on St Johnstone defender Jack Saunders – who replays showed to dive away from Dessers – the goal eventually stood.
Ross McCausland then neatly dinked the ball over the onrushing St Johnstone goalkeeper to round off the scoring heading into injury time.
Here are our full-time player ratings as the Rangers team progress in the cup at Hampden.
Rangers player ratings v St Johnstone (Premier Sports Cup)
Jack Butland – 6
Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland didn’t have too much to do against St Johnstone at Hampden.
The two chances that St Johnstone did have, the Rangers stopper didn’t stand a chance as John Souttar helped block a shot wide and the Perthshire club hit the post.
Hit a dodgy clearance in the second half which saw St Johnstone fire an effort over but will have harder games in a Rangers jersey.
James Tavernier – 5
James Tavernier has either lost a yard of pace or the Rangers captain is not fully fit with the marauding right-back increasingly wasteful.
Firing a number of efforts of the bar, Tavernier also misplaced passes and despite showing some neat touches and link-up play, doesn’t look the relentless powerhouse of previous seasons.
Always shows for the ball and as per usual was central to much of Rangers’ build-up play, but a weak-willed challenge almost allowed St Johnstone to score in the first half.
Dug in and improved as the game went on but there remains big questions marks over the skipper.
John Souttar – 8
A composed performance from John Souttar who is undoubtedly a solid centre-back with a strong range of skills in his repertoire.
Dealt with the physical challenge of St Johnstone striker Adama Sidibeh very well and even teased the forward into receiving a second half yellow card.
Very dominant on the ball too, with Souttar routinely striding forward into midfield and sparking attacks, showing confidence to dribble through the Saints and also win free-kicks.
As the defensive injuries mount, Souttar will be one of the first names on the team sheet.
Robin Pröpper – 6
Certainly looks a commanding defensive option and Robin Pröpper looked very comfortable alongside John Souttar in the first half.
A solid defender who is good on the ball and plays with his head up, we get the feeling the Dutchman will be a very good addition and we’re looking forward to seeing more of him at the club.
Went down injured in the first half holding his groin and was eventually substituted for Ben Davies in a worrying moment for Rangers.
Jefte – 8
The Brazilian is an energetic an enthusiastic presence down the left-hand side and this was another impressive showing from the 20-year-old.
A hard-working player with good technical qualities on the ball, much of the good stuff Rangers did in this match came through Jefte as he came in to replace Ridvan Yilmaz.
A constant presence on the overlap, particularly in the first half, Jefte linked up well with Rabbi Matondo and adds something different to the club’s attack.
Stood up to any defensive challenge too, with St Johnstone trying to catch him on the break, but there will be harder games for the Brazilian in this regard to come.
There is also plenty of work to do on Jefte’s final ball and decision-making, with some of the left-back’s crossing at times a tad wasteful.
But this was another strong showing and we are excited to see what Jefte can bring.
Dujon Sterling – 6
Dujon Sterling has not played as big a role in the Rangers team this season as he might’ve liked.
The Ibrox utility man has had to contend with opportunities off the bench up until this clash with St Johnstone at Hampden.
His usual tigerish, energetic self, Sterling broke up a number of plays in his own half and was involved in some link-up at the top end of the park.
Still seems to be coming back to fitness and played a disciplined match for the team today, even if he didn’t exert much control over it.
Kieran Dowell – 5
There aren’t always opportunities for Kieran Dowell at Rangers and this was one which perhaps passed the midfielder by.
We’re not quite sure where Dowell’s best position is in the midfield but Philippe Clement appears to like the ex-Norwich star’s long-range passing abilities from deeper in the middle.
Another who has not had his injury problems to seek, there were some moments of progressive passing through the lines but a lot of this was over-hit and wasteful.
Perhaps still trying to get back into his match-playing rhythm, the game appeared to pass Dowell by and whilst this wasn’t an awful performance by any means, the midfielder was eventually shown up by substitute Connor Barron.
Mohamed Diomande – 7
A technically gifted footballer with a wonderful engine and in-game intelligence, Mohamed Diomande was probably the best player on the pitch at Hampden in terms of raw ability.
Playing in a more advanced ‘number 10’ role, Diomande showed some wonderful touches and was instrumental to much of Rangers’ forward play.
But there is still some levels for the 22-year-old Ivorian to go up at Ibrox and we’re excited to see what Dio can bring to the team this season.
For someone so clearly talented, we want to see more of a matchwinning contribution and we’ve every confidence that will come as the season progresses.
One of a few in the Rangers team who have both the potential to develop into a top player and also lead the side.
Vaclav Cerny – 7
Czech winger Vaclav Cerny looks an instant upgrade and is a player for Rangers fans to get genuinely excited about.
But there is little doubt that the Wolfsburg loanee remains some way off full fitness in Glasgow.
Rangers manager Philippe Clement has been clear that Vaclav needs to be worked back to his best and whilst the winger is certainly looking more robust and physical, he’s still missing that killer edge.
Spurning a couple of chances for Rangers in both halves, Cerny has real ability and we reckon he’s good for 15+ goals this season.
This is just the beginning but the attacker has the makings of a very important player for the club.
Rabbi Matondo – 7
One of the most immensely frustrating players in the Rangers squad, Rabbi Matondo was heavily involved in the win over St Johnstone.
The Welsh winger linked up well with Jefte in the first half but was routinely wasteful either in front of goal or with the cross.
This continued into the second half and whilst Matondo did engineer a number of opportunities, the 23-year-old just lacks the finishing touch or the final ball.
Matondo has real pace and has that matchwinning ability to control the ball whilst running and perhaps the fact he’s yet to find that finishing touch is why he remains at Ibrox.
Crucially, it was Matondo’s pass which set up Cyriel Dessers for the winner but we still need to see Rabbi take advantage of the good opportunities both he and his teammates create.
Danilo – 6
The return of Brazilian striker Danilo was a welcome sight for Rangers fans with the hitman last turning out for the club in December 2023.
There was a lot to be positive about in his first 45 minutes in nine months, with Danilo looking sharp in the build-up and finding a lot of space in dangerous areas.
The Brazilian is a box-playing number nine and Rangers spent £6m on Danilo last summer for a reason.
But as our Samba striker works his way back to fitness, there was undoubtedly rustiness in front of goal.
The truth is Danilo could’ve had a first-half hattrick but he fluffed his lines, including an effort where he was one-on-one following a rebound.
A promising return but in front of goal is where the forward will be judged.
Substitutes
Ben Davies – 6
Came on to replace Robin Pröpper and toiled at time with the physical challenge of Sidibeh.
Other than this Davies was generally quite solid and could’ve almost scored at the other end with an acrobatic effort.
Currently fourth choice at the back for a reason.
Cyriel Dessers – 8
Despite struggling to get into the game initially, Cyriel Dessers eventually proved crucial to the Rangers victory.
The striker who can’t be relied on to score big goals, Dessers popped up with yet another big goal for the club.
With the second half frittering away and the nerves rising at Hampden, Dessers spun his defender and dummied to find space in the box before firing past St Johnstone keeper Joshua Rae.
It was a huge goal as Rangers progressed to the Premier Sports Cup quarters.
Connor Barron – 8
A very impressive second half showing from Connor Barron, who came onto the park at Hampden and immediately changed the game.
The summer signing from Aberdeen is an energetic presence in the middle of the pitch but is also mega comfortable on the ball.
Barron has a knack for picking up useful positions for his teammates to find him and that progressive intention helps both break up opposition attacks and spark Rangers in the final third.
Never started at Hampden today but looks a very good addition.
Ross McCausland – 7
Ross McCausland holds a greater degree of quality than many are willing to give the young Northern Irish winger credit for.
Now a bonafide squad player with Rangers, the young Ulsterman was bright and breezy from his introduction at Hampden.
Always willing to dig in and do the hard running, McCausland also has ability in his boots and proved it again with Rangers’ second goal of the day.
Having already wasted a good opportunity to score, Ross showed superb composure to dink it over the St Johnstone goalie to kill the tie.
Robbie Fraser – 6
A very bright if not brief appearance for Robbie Fraser at Hampden.
The young academy left-back was praised by Philippe Clement in the week and found himself playing on the left wing when he replaced Rabbi Matondo.
Showing urgency to win the ball and quality on it, there’s a decent player here and with Ridvan on the sidelines, we expect Fraser will get bigger opportunities.
