Rangers made it three wins on the spin as goals from Malik Tillman and Antonio Colak fired Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side to a 2-0 victory over St Johnstone at Ibrox.
It was the home side who went close inside 12 minutes on a baking hot day in Glasgow, as Rabbi Matondo drove into the penalty area from the left before pulling the ball across to Colak. However, the Croatian’s effort was expertly blocked by Liam Gordon.
Indeed, the visitors almost stunned Ibrox into silence minutes later as Theo Bair went agonisingly close from point-blank range. Jamie Murphy, once of Rangers, floated a delicious cross towards the back post where both Borna Barisic and Ben Davies were caught under the flight of the delivery. The ball ricocheted off the former before falling to the St Johnstone forward where, lying prone on the floor, he could only swipe his effort wide of the post.
Malik Tillman fired over for Rangers before John Lundstram worked the visiting goalkeeper with a rising left-footed effort from the edge of the area on the half-hour mark.
And Van Bronckhorst’s side broke the deadlock three minutes later. James Tavernier picked up the scraps on the edge of the penalty area after St Johnstone headed a corner clear, clipping a delicious cross back in towards the far post where Tillman leapt high to fire a header in off the underside of the crossbar.
Ryan Jack then pulled the trigger at goal after ghosting in-behind, although the St Johnstone goalkeeper got down smartly to deny his effort.
The Gers thought they had doubled their advantage shortly after the interval when Matondo unleashed an effort from distance after shaking off the attentions of Drey Wright, only for the Welshman’s effort to rattle the crossbar.
Borna Barisic kissed the roof of the net with a dipping free-kick as van Bronckhorst’s side turned up the pressure in search of a second of the afternoon.
Rangers didn’t have to wait too long to double their lead, however, as Colak found the net for the third game in succession. Matondo underlined his electric pace in closing down St Johnstone inside their own penalty area with a sliding tackle, with the ball falling kindly for Colak to swivel and stab his effort into the bottom corner.
The third goal then arrived ten minutes from time for the Gers. Jack thread a slide rule pass through to Matondo and, after the Welshman rounded the goalkeeper, he pulled the ball across for substitute Scott Arfield to slot home from close range.
Tom Lawrence got in on the act just minutes later, firing home after being teed up by Arfield inside the penalty area.
GK: Jon McLaughlin – 5/10 – Had very little to contend with, showing a few promising moments with his distribution.
RB: James Tavernier – 6/10 – Clipped a pinpoint cross into Tillman to open the scoring for the Gers, often causing St. Johnstone issues with his ability to carry possession infield.
RCB: Connor Goldson – 6/10 – Seemed to touch the ball more inside the opposing half than inside his own, which was testament to Rangers’ dominance of the ball. Booked after the restart for halting a Saints counter-attack.
LCB: Ben Davies – 5/10 – Caught under the ball from a cross as the away side went agonisingly close with a chance in the first half, but he showed undoubted promise on the ball.
LB: Borna Barisic – 6/10 – Hardly covered himself in glory for the early chance afforded to the visitors, but he regained his composure to produce an impressive performance on both sides of the ball.
CM: John Lundstram – 8/10 – Combined expertly on the edge of the area on a few ocassions to help his side fashion opportunities at goal. Drove Rangers forward and wasn’t afraid to have a pop at goal. Terrific display.
CM: Ryan Jack – 7/10 – Played in a slightly more advanced role than usual, testing the St. Johnstone goal on the stroke of half-time with a rasping half-volley. Gorgeous through pass to release Matondo in the lead up to the third.
AM: Malik Tillman – 8/10 – Set the tone for his performance by chasing down a clearance from St. Johnstone’s goalkeeper that very nearly ricocheted off him into the net. Timed his leap to perfection at the back post to power Rangers ahead.
RW: Scott Wright – 4/10 – Released into some good areas on the right flank, but he was too predictable when he looked to take on his man. End product was invariably absent.
ST: Antonio Colak – 7/10 – His movement in the penalty area proved constantly dangerous, and he was rewarded in the second half when he reacted swiftly to Matondo winning possession in the penalty box.
LW: Rabbi Matondo – 7/10 – His pace proved electrifying, leveraging his acceleration off the ball to create Rangers’ second of the game. Tremendous work to tee up Arfield by rounding the goalkeeper and lifting his head on the byline.
SUB: Scott Arfield (66′ for Wright) – 7/10 – Perfect cameo, grabbing a goal and an assist.
SUB: Tom Lawrence (66′ for Tillman) – 5/10 – Composed finish from Arfield’s centre to make it four for the Gers.
SUB: Alfredo Morelos (66′ for Colak) – 5/10 – Looked desperate for a goal, but he couldn’t quite work an opportunity at goal.
SUB: Leon King (77′ for Davies) – N/A
SUB: Glen Kamara (77′ for Lundstram) – N/A
Manager: Giovanni van Bronckhorst – 7/10 – His substitutions in the second half proved effective in putting the game beyond doubt for Rangers.