Vaclav Cerny scored in every half and returning Ianis Hagi was despatched off so as to add some late drama to Rangers’ 2-0 victory over St Johnstone at Ibrox.
The Mild Blues have been thumped 4-1 at residence by French aspect Lyon within the Europa League on Thursday night time and enchancment was anticipated on their return to William Hill Premiership obligation however they didn’t sparkle.
Simo Valakari seen his first sport as Saints boss from the administrators’ field whereas ready for a piece allow and his aspect labored arduous to maintain the Gers at bay till the thirty fourth minute when an achieved end by the Czech Republic winger broke the impasse and he added a second within the 58th minute earlier than the drama with Hagi unfolded.
The Romania midfielder, again within the squad for the primary time this season after a contract concern was resolved, got here off the bench for the second half and was booked for a foul on Saints striker Benjamin Kimpioka within the eightieth minute earlier than a VAR verify noticed referee David Dickinson flash a pink card, leaving the house aspect a person quick for the ultimate minutes.
Rangers’ Ianis Hagi is proven a pink card by referee David Dickinson
Philippe Clement’s aspect noticed out the sport to enter the worldwide break 5 factors behind Celtic and Aberdeen nevertheless it was removed from spectacular, leaving apart Hagi’s indiscretion.
There was one enforced change from Thursday for Clement after midfielder Tom Lawrence sustained a hamstring harm which dominated him out, whereas Connor Barron dropped to the bench with Nico Raskin and Ross McCausland coming in.
Valakari watched from the principle stand with interim bosses Andy Kirk and Alec Cleland persevering with to take cost from the technical space.
Cerny (left) celebrates scoring his second with Hagi to make it 2-0
Rangers loved loads of the ball within the early levels and striker Cyriel Dessers headed a nook from skipper James Tavernier over the crossbar within the eighth minute when he must have hit the goal a minimum of.
Kimpioka was doing an honest job occupying the Gers defence however the Govan aspect saved probing in assault.
Saints defender Jack Sanders then blocked a goalbound drive from midfielder Mohamed Diomande as the house aspect saved up the stress.
Nevertheless, finally Rangers bought the breakthrough, Cerny sticking the ball by means of the legs of Sven Sprangler earlier than guiding the ball from 20 yards previous goalkeeper Ross Sinclair and into the far nook of the online.
Cerny celebrates scoring his first aim
The Czech Republic worldwide, on mortgage from Bundesliga membership VfL Wolfsburg, celebrated his aim then ran to the sidelines for a hug from Clement.
There was an enormous cheer from the Gers followers when the favored Hagi took over from Ross McCausland at first of the second half with Barron on for Diomande.
Hagi’s final sport was within the League Cup in opposition to Morton in August, 2023 earlier than he went on mortgage to Spanish aspect Alaves and the Gers followers have been searching for inspiration from the playmaker.
And after Saints substitute Cammy MacPherson had conceded possession, he arrange Cerny contained in the field and he turned St Johnstone defender Lewis Neilson earlier than driving low previous Sinclair.
St Johnstone had loads of attacking choices on the pitch and – within the 67th minute – residence goalkeeper Jack Butland needed to save from Mackenzie Kirk after he had brushed previous Ibrox defender Robin Propper, with Kimpioka ready for a sq. ball.
Then got here the late drama. Hagi was initially booked for a foul on Kimpioka however after being despatched to his pitchside monitor, referee Dickinson upgraded the cardboard to pink and the Mild Blues have been left with 10 gamers.
Former Gers attacker Nicky Clark had the ball within the Rangers web within the 84th minute however was dominated offside, stopping a nervy end for the house aspect.
