Rangers have reduced their deficit in the Premiership title race to five points once again after a comfortable win over St Johnstone at Ibrox. Vaclav Cerny netted in either half to make sure of the win on Simo Valakari’s debut as Saints boss. Rangers finished with ten men after Ianis Hagi was sent off just half an hour into his return to the first team.

Philippe Clement’s side needed a reaction on the back of their Europa League defeat to Lyon in midweek. Here, the Rangers Review picks out the key points from a straightforward success on the eve of the latest international break.

Cerny the key to victory

The opening goal had been coming. When it did, it was a moment of quality that broke St Johnstone’s resistance. The finish from Cerny was a strike that he is capable of but an act that he has not shown enough of in recent weeks. A neat nutmeg was followed by a curled effort was perfectly placed into the far corner as Rangers moved ahead with 34 minutes on the clock.

Clement’s side should have been in front early on but Cyriel Dessers couldn’t find the target with a header at the back post. Mohamed Diomande was denied in the area and then fired wide. St Johnstone had shown flashes of attacking intent but Rangers eventually got their rewards as Cerny started to make amends following an indifferent few weeks and high-profile misses against Malmo and Lyon.

It was now all about the second goal and when Rangers could find it. Before the hour mark, Cerny delivered once again. His strike was not as spectacular on this occasion, but it was just as clinical as Sinclair was beaten with a low finish across from right to left. This must act as a foundation for the Czech going forward.

Clement stands by his skipper

The first name that many looked for on the team sheet was the one alongside the number two. The fact that James Tavernier started here was not a surprise. The debate over the merits of the decision would have been held throughout the 90 minutes in the stand. The conversation regarding Tavernier’s place in this squad and this side will continue for some time to come.

If Rangers believe that Dujon Sterling is the long-term successor to the skipper at right-back, he must show it and prove it in the coming months. To do that, he needs to get in the team. This felt like the ideal opportunity to rest Tavernier but Clement stuck with his captain and was rewarded with a solid showing.

An 18th minute free-kick was celebrated by some who thought it found the top corner. Unfortunately for Tavernier, it was just wide of Ross Sinclair’s goal as a deflection wasn’t spotted by the officials. A volleyed effort minutes later also narrowly missed the target, as did another free-kick from distance.

This was far from the Tavernier of old. The concern for Clement must be that those days are gone and will never return. It would have been a big call to drop his captain. It is just as big a call to pick him at present.

Neraysho Kasanwirjo was introduced for the final quarter of an hour. It was Cerny that he replaced rather than Tavernier, though. The Dutchman slotted in at the back and Tavernier moved forward a line.

Bajrami shows versatility again

The acquisition of Nedim Bajrami on deadline day solved a long-standing issue for Rangers. Clement needed a quality addition at No.10 and the Albanian playmaker fitted the profile. In his first weeks at Ibrox, he has shown that he has the vision to be a useful operator in that area of the side.

His influence has been impacted, to an extent, by being asked to fill in on the left side. The ‘small injury’ to Tom Lawrence on Thursday evening almost forced Clement’s hand here. Bajrami was moved into the middle of the supporting three behind Cyriel Dessers as Ross McCausland started on the opposite flank to Cerny.

A scooped pass over the top that almost found Dessers was evidence of Bajrami’s intent. He provided a natural link between the thirds and drifted to the left on occasion. It was on that flank that he started the second period as Hagi replaced McCausland and Connor Barron took over from Diomande.

Time will tell how long Lawrence will be absent for, while Oscar Cortes and Rabbi Matondo are also still unavailable for selection. The No.10 berth may be Bajrami’s preferred and most potent position but his flexibility is key for Rangers right now. An attack with the Albanian and Hagi in it could be an interesting proposition for Clement. It is one that will need to wait to be tried again, though.

Hagi is back in blue

The situation regarding Hagi’s future became one of the sagas of the summer at Ibrox. Clement was repeatedly asked about it in public as discussions went on in private. When the Romanian was seen, he performed notably for the B Team and the calls for him to return to Clement’s side steadily increased during a run of fixtures that saw Rangers fail to assert themselves as an attacking force.

Hagi was not eligible for the midweek visit of Lyon but he was stripped here and handed a place on the bench. He was never going to come straight into the starting line-up. His name was given a cheer pre-match and he received a warm ovation – which was reciprocated to those in the Main Stand and Copland - when he came out to warm-up midway through the first period.

His introduction at the break was given an even louder reception as he made his first appearance here since August last year. Within 15 minutes, he had marked the occasion with an assist. A neat pass from a central area found Cerny and Rangers were soon two goals to the good.

The night ended early and in acrimony for Hagi. Referee David Dickinson showed him a yellow card for a challenge on Benjamin Kimpioka but he was soon sent to the screen. The decision was upgraded to red for serious foul play and Hagi watched the closing stages from the dressing room. It was the latest twist in his season.

A small step to appease the punters

The Ibrox factor can count against you just as easily as it can count for you. When things are going well, this is an easy place to play football. When they are not, the Ibrox crowd are not slow in making their feelings known. Those who were new to that situation this season should have become accustomed to the demands and expectations by now.

The kick-off time for this fixture and the subsequent travel issues for those coming from near or far limited the official attendance to just under 45,000. The levels of anger and apathy amongst some must also be taken into account at present and this didn't have the feel of a must-win game around it from the stands.

Nerves were eased when Cerny put Rangers ahead. Until that point, there was little noise around the ground outside of the Union Bears. Scotland boss Steve Clarke found himself the subject of one song from that section of the Copland.

As Clement said last term, he needs to see a synergy between his players and the punters. That will only happen if performances are produced and results are earned. This was a small but important step in that regard.