Ianis Hagi came in from the cold to help turn up the heat on Aberdeen as Rangers saw off stubborn St Johnstone to claim a much-needed away win.
The Romanian playmaker forced ex-Ger Jason Holt into a second half own goal to seal the points and secure under pressure Philippe Clement’s second away win of the season.
The Light Blues have been sensational on their travels in Europe – but have suffered from travel sickness in Scotland. It might not have been all that pretty this time but a second away win of the term was absolutely essential.
But Hagi – on his first start for 18 months – provided the dangerous cross that did the damage amid a stronger second half showing to cut the gap to Celtic at the top to 11 points and put pressure on Aberdeen in second.
Rangers had to dig it out after the delights of defeating Nice 4-1 in France in midweek with Simo Valakari’s men proving to be a tough nut to crack at McDiarmid. Saints applied some early pressure and there were some scares at the back for Rangers. Jack Butland was forced to race from his line to nod away after Benji Kimpioka got in behind John Souttar.
Gers grew into the game though and keeper Josh Rae pawed away a Hamza Igamane effort after Vaclav Cerny blasted wide. Nedim Bajrami was also posing a threat and tested Rae again as Clement’s men pushed for an opener before the break. Robin Propper and Bajrami were replaced for the second period while Graham Carey made way for Saints.
And it was Rangers probing and they eventually found a way through when Hagi scooped the ball into the mouth of the goal and former Holt put over his own line under pressure from James Tavernier.
The goal gave Rangers a burst of energy and Hagi and Danilo came close to making it more comfortable against a Saints side that ran out of steam. Here’s five talking points from Perth:
On the road again
It might have taken a while for Rangers to get going but this was a must win for Rangers on the road. They away form in Europe has been spectacular with Clement’s men going seven on the bounce without defeat.
But it’s been a different story in Scotland. Heading to Perth, the Light blues had one just once in five jaunts this season and only twice in two way days going back to the end of February. They’d also lost back to back clashes at Aberdeen and Kilmarnock and it’s a record that has severely damaged the side and – put Clement under huge pressure.
Three points were an absolute must at McDiarmid and while it might not have been a thrilling display, Gers did show some grit to raise the levels in the second half and grind out a crucial victory. They’ve still only scored three goals away from home this term and improvement in the final third will still be needed in the coming weeks.
The main Igamane
It was the younger who got the nod up top ahead of Cyriel Dessers after his Europa League heroics in Nice. But this was a different type of challenge to the one faced in the south of France. There wasn’t the same kind of space for a start.
Saints were on the front foot at times, but more often than not they stuck to their shape and had safety in numbers. Igamane was left searching for scraps but too often he didn’t give his fellow front men the option by attacking the six yard box. The young gun has potential but remains a work in progress. It looks like he’ll get the chance to be the main man for now.
Hagi in from the cold
Playmaker Hagi spent so long in sporting Siberia it was always going to take him some time to warm up again. This was his first start for Gers for 18 months, with his last one coming back in May 2023. So perhaps the slow start was understandable. Hagi was keen to get on the ball and showed moments of quality.
But he also drifted in and out of the game at times and was always willing to have a dig and he provided the moment of class to leave Saints scrambling at the crucial opening goal. He had others chances – and got booked for taking a dive in the box – but there were more positives than negatives. There’s a regular place in this side available if the Romanian wants it.
Propper problems
Defender Robin Propper admitted last week he had struggled to get his head around Scottish football and there were moments the Dutchman looked a bit dazed again here. Early on the former FC Twente man looked far from comfortable. Saints targeted him and Benni Kimpioka proved to be a tricky customer.
Propper made a couple of mistakes in the opening period and at one stage was complaining about an injury. He eventually settled somewhat but had to go off at the interval and there remains a sense the big fella is going to have to tougher up to crack it in this country.
Saints alive
There’s no doubt things are looking up in Perth regardless of the result. Saints had picked up nine points from 18 going in having only bagged four from 24 previously. They were well in the shout to collect more here and enjoyed periods of play when they put Gers under decent pressure.
In Makenzie Kirk they have a talent younger at the top end of the pitch and in Benji Kimpioka another big threat – even if they struggled to show it in the second half against Rangers. Simo Valakari will know his defence could do with some work in January but there is at least cause for optimism in these parts.