St Johnstone 1-2 Rangers: Steven Gerrard's side show mark of champions

The silverware in Scottish football was shared between these sides last season. It was Steven Gerrard’s side who claimed all three points here.

A Kemar Roofe penalty and exquisite strike from James Tavernier were enough to ensure Rangers kept up their momentum following their Old Firm victory a fortnight ago.

For Saints boss Callum Davidson, there was only a sense of what might have been. A Michael O’Halloran opener had given his side hope, but it was ultimately forlorn.

There will be regret that the Saints couldn’t see it out and become the second side to beat the champions this term. This was one that Rangers deserved, though, as they found a way to win on a day where defeat would have undone their derby efforts a fortnight ago.

The return of Gerrard to the touchline was an obvious advantage to the champions but there was one noticeable absentee. As Tavernier regained his place in the team and Allan McGregor took a seat on the bench, Connor Goldson had to watch on from afar.

Gerrard confirmed pre-match that the defender was self-isolating and subsequently absent from the travelling party. Given the schedule that Rangers have coming up – with fixtures against Lyon and Motherwell on the horizon – the loss of Goldson has come at a wretched moment for Gerrard.

The sight of Goldson on the team sheet had been taken for granted for a while now. This was the first time since the Scottish Cup win over Stranraer last January that he hadn’t started for Rangers and, more incredibly, he had played every minute of those 81 games.

The last time Goldson was absent, the world had never heard of Covid. Unfortunately, it was the virus that denied him the chance to continue his run and his form.

READ MORE: Lee Feeney opens up on Rangers dream he gave up on, life under Dick Advocaat and Ibrox regrets

The pairing of Leon Balogun and Filip Helander were not tested enough by St Johnstone during a tight, cagey first 45 minutes. Any moments of encouragement were fleeting.

The home crowd were vociferous towards Jon McLaughlin and referee Willie Collum when the keeper collided with O’Halloran early on. McLaughlin had come out of his area to clear danger down the Rangers right and returned to his goals with a yellow card to his name.

That was the only real moment of controversy before the break. The best of the chances fell to Rangers but a breakthrough never looked like coming.

Balogun headed over from a Tavernier corner after a quarter of an hour, while an acrobatic effort from Kemar Roofe in the closing seconds was never going to trouble Zander Clark.

It was the Jamaican international that forced Clark into his smartest save of the half, though. A strike from the edge of the area was well-placed, but Clark was equal to it as he moved sharply to his left and St Johnstone were well in this one at the interval.

The people of Perth may not have turned out in their numbers like they had done for the recent European occasions but there was still enough to encourage those that were here.

The time between the closing of the transfer window and the return to Premiership action had been difficult for Saints fans.

As they made their way to McDiarmid Park, many would still have been raw about the departures of Jason Kerr and Ali McCann. Or, more specifically, the fees that the double-winners received for two of their most prized assets from Wigan Athletic and Preston North End respectively.

There was a feeling that the Perth board had sold the club short with deals that, on the face of them, appear to undervalue two players who were such an integral part of their remarkable success last season. Life, though, had to go on.

The future would start here. First, there was news that would give supporters a spring in their steps before they would take their seats as a contract extension for Davidson was confirmed.

No matter what other business St Johnstone have done or will do, there will surely not be a more shrewd or important deal signed. With Davidson committed until 2025, sights can be set forward on the back of the Saints’ greatest season.

READ MORE: Detailed Rangers player ratings as James Tavernier and Kemar Roofe make the difference against stubborn St Johnstone

Gerrard had spoken in praiseworthy terms about the shape and application of Davidson’s side on Friday afternoon. Some 24 hours later, those traits were frustrating Rangers as they failed to find any rhythm to their play in the final third.

Possession without a finishing touch was pointless for Gerrard’s side. Just minutes after the restart, they would pay the price for their profligacy.

O’Halloran won the footrace with Helander and then twisted and turned the Swede. His strike was emphatic as McLaughlin was well beaten and Rangers, out of nowhere, were suddenly up against it in Perth.

The response was quickfire from the champions. No sooner had parity been restored, controversy would flare.

Roofe made no mistake from the spot after Ryan Kent was fouled and he followed a sweetly struck penalty into the net to retrieve the ball. His fourth goal of the season had come at just the right time for Rangers.

A skirmish would break out and Collum flashed yellow cards to Roofe, Alfredo Morelos, Liam Craig and Shaun Rooney before the Colombian rallied an away support that were already at their most vocal of any stage of the afternoon.

After a largely forgettable first half, this encounter had suddenly sparked into life. There was a bit of needle, a rise in tempo and more chances.

Tavernier and Kent both came close from distance, while Ali Crawford couldn’t capitalise on the break of the ball at the other end as he fired over from close range.

The winner came with 12 minutes remaining. On the balance of the action, it was deserved for Rangers.

The strike was certainly worthy of earning victory as Tavernier collected the ball on the right channel and curled a wonderful strike into the far corner. It had pace, it had dip and it was too good for Clark.

In the end, Rangers were too good for St Johnstone. The closing stage were tense, and the final whistle brought a roar of celebration and a sigh of relief for Rangers.

The champions had been made to work for it. Come the end of the season, occasions such as this could prove the difference between success and failure for Rangers.