Stephen Robinson’s St Mirren rocked up at Rangers with a plan and my how they executed it.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, the former Motherwell boss felt that St Mirren had every reason to think believe in a famous Ibrox win.
After all, The Buddies had already triumphed over Rangers this season, Caolan Boyd-Munce firing home a 93rd minute winner in Paisley back in December.
Stephen Robinson knew Rangers would dominate possession. They did as well, keeping 66 per cent of it at Ibrox. But that was not necessarily a bad thing. Robinson felt St Mirren had the tools to hurt Philippe Clement’s team in transition – particularly with the speedy Ryan Alebiosu back from injury – and both of The Buddies’ goals came from direct balls over the top.
Twice Clinton Nsiala failed to deal with them, and twice the visitor’s scored. Mikael Mandron fired under Jack Butland after Nsiala tripped under pressure, before Toyosi Olusanya doubled the lead. Thus, a St Mirren side containing Rangers flop Declan John won in successive league games over the Glasgow giants for the first time in 45 years.
Stephen Robinson explains how St Mirren stunned Rangers
“It has been an extension of our last lot of performances,” Robinson beams, his side sitting pretty in sixth place. “We did really well against Hibs, got the draw. We were the better side against Hearts [in the Scottish Cup].
“We have never stopped believing. This group of players have raised expectations beyond everyone’s imagination.”
Robinson feels that, central to St Mirren’s victory, was the aggression of their press, their composure in possession, and their willingness to fight for every loose ball.
By Philippe Clement’s own admission, Rangers were ‘so nervous’ in the duels, and that only played straight into St Mirren’s hands.
“[My players] came here confident today,” Robinson adds. “We showed real quality on the ball. Our press and how aggressive we were was excellent and the players deserve every amount of praise for that.
“Over the last three years, we have raised expectations. Those expectations are not based on massive financial investment. It is a group of players that are battling and improving week-on-week and season-on-season. It is a great result today that will get the headlines.
St Mirren’s pressing key to famous Ibrox win
“It certainly was not [a smash and grab win]. We are not like some teams in the division who sit low and don’t come out, which is their prerogative and not a criticism. We try and be aggressive in our press. We have legs and energy in our team.
“We did not feel under any pressure and probably could have had more goals. To say that at Ibrox with the threat they have in their front four, again is a testament to the players.
“Tough times don’t last but tough people do. We are a team who have nothing to lose. We have a side capable of challenging for the top six.”
A defeated Philippe Clement could only apologise to the Rangers fans, meanwhile, after another home defeat to follow up that cup exit at the hands of Championship outfit Queen’s Park a few weeks earlier.
Pressure has been rising on the Belgian throughout this season. And this had a ‘final straw’ sort of feel about it, the Rangers fans heading for the exit in their droves once the second goal went in.
