STEVIE HAS FLUKE OF A RELIEVED MAN

St Mirren 0 Rangers 2

HIS manager thought he fluked it but Daniel Candeias insists he meant it.

But both would agree that Rangers sure as hell needed his 80th-minute strike.

Until then, in a war of attrition in brutal conditions, it looked certain that two points and another sliver of their season’s hope were about to slip away from Rangers. But the Portuguese winger’s strike, smashed over St Mirren keeper Craig Samson from the unlikeliest of spots on the right, brought a sigh of relief that almost matched the gale-force wind that carried in the ball into the net.

Alfredo Morelos’ 14th of the season in injury time was the icing on the cake as Steven Gerrard’s men climbed in to third spot behind Celtic, a moment only spoiled for them by Willie Collum’s baffling red card on Candeias (below) in injury time.

Ibrox manager Gerrard said: “We know these teams will hang in. They’ve a lot to play for and are going to fight and be difficult to break down. The pleasing thing for me is we didn’t get frustrated with the break not coming, especially in the first 60-odd minutes. The lads kept plugging away, kept creating chances and ironically the opener came with a little bit of luck – but I believe you make your own luck. Daniel says he meant it. I’ve been in the game a long time and haven’t seen anyone score one of those. Not on purpose anyway.” Rangers, though, were also forced to ride their luck as Oran Kearney’s men looked far more intent to deal with the conditions.

They forced Allan Mcgregor – back in the Rangers side after his midweek rest – into two magnificent early saves.

The first was a brilliant reaction to tip over Ian Mcshane’s deflected 20-yard free kick while the second was another great flashing hand to deny Ryan Edwards’ strike.