Morelos man of the moment as Rangers defuse Ronan rocket
Colombian joins 100 club at long last to seal comeback for Gerrard’s men in Paisley
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HE celebrations told their own story about the significance of the moment. It meant a lot to Alfredo Morelos, but it meant more to Rangers.
The striker could, and should, have scored his 100th goal for the champions long before now. The wait only added to the sense of relief for Morelos and the importance of it was not lost on anyone connected with Rangers.
It came three minutes before the break as Steven Gerrard’s side completed a comeback and clinched a victory that they may have feared would not arrive.
Their start had been sluggish, but two goals in two minutes ultimately sunk St Mirren as Morelos netted what proved to be the winner after Kemar Roofe’s penalty cancelled out a wonder goal from Connor Ronan.
As has been the case so often during Gerrard’s tenure, Morelos was the man of the moment, the one who Rangers were thankful for as his header won it.
Morelos was booked for his celebrations as he leapt into the away support that was both relieved and ecstatic. That decision was needless, but the goal was priceless for Rangers.
Gerrard had challenged Morelos to come to the fore during the week after a misfiring performance against Hearts and a frustrating night in the win over Brondby.
This was not a classic showing from the striker, but he provided the goal that Rangers desperately needed as they avoided a Sunday slip-up on the back of the victory that has given their Europa League campaign fresh impetus.
The early stages had the feeling of one of those afternoons for Rangers but they showed the mark of champions. Out of adversity, they emerged with a crucial three points that consolidates their advantage at the top of the Premiership.
There must be a concern for Gerrard about the manner in which his side started. Ultimately, though, it is how you finish and Rangers got the result they had come for.
The opening goal summed up the first 20 minutes. Rangers were ragged, St Mirren were slick and the scoreline was fair.
The start had been wretched from Rangers and there was no rhythm or tempo to their play as passes went astray all too regularly. Like so much of the season, they were lackadaisical and lacking ideas.
That certainly was not the case for St Mirren, or for Ronan. It was his moment of magic, his invention and execution, that gave Goodwin’s side the lead after just four minutes.
Rangers were complicit in their own downfall. Steven Davis misjudged the ball in the air, James Tavernier was slack with his pass and John Lundstram too slow to react.
All of that, each one of those errors, takes nothing away from the strike, though. It was a remarkable one from Ronan.
Rangers may not have sensed much danger when the midfielder picked the ball up, but he only had one picture in his mind as he took aim at Jon McLaughlin’s goal.
The execution was perfect and Rangers were stunned as the Saints celebrated a strike that was out of the top drawer and straight into the top corner.
One fan will regret his over exuberance, though. As Goodwin’s players congratulated Ronan in front of the main stand, a supporter emerged from the far side and ran across the park to join in the scenes.
He made his way back feeling more than a little sheepish and stupid. Just four minutes in, it was the end of his afternoon as he was escorted away by police.
That kind of behaviour was not exactly what Goodwin had in mind when he called for the Paisley public to support his side. Those who remained had to be impressed with what they were watching, though,
as the Buddies hassled and harried the champions.
It was an approach that the Saints could not sustain, however, and a speculative effort from Jamie McGrath was as close as they came to worrying McLaughlin before the tide turned.
It may have taken some time, but Rangers eventually got out of first gear. Once they did, they moved through them to ensure they were ahead at the interval as Roofe and Morelos scored in quick succession.
The goal that restored parity had been coming. Jak Alnwick had saved twice from Connor Goldson as the defender met Tavernier corners with powerful headers, while Ianis Hagi was becoming increasingly influential as he tried his luck on a couple of occasions.
It was the Romanian who won the penalty that changed the game. Alan Power fouled him on the edge of the area and referee Steven McLean pointed to the spot.
The protestations from St Mirren were in vain and Roofe kept his cool as he waited to take the spot kick. When he did so, he beat Alnwick with a clinical finish to the keeper’s left.
Rangers deserved to be level at that stage. When they took the lead, they would have felt that they merited the advantage on the balance of play.
It was a goal to cherish. At last, Morelos could take his place as a Rangers centurion and add another milestone to his Ibrox career.
It was not one of the most spectacular of the 100, but the latest one is always the most important and Morelos made no mistake from close range after a teasing cross from Tavernier that evaded the static St Mirren defence.
The inability to pull away from teams when in promising
positions has cost Rangers four points at home to Motherwell and Hearts this term. The champions could not afford to make the same mistake here now they were ahead.
There was more verve about St Mirren at the start of the second half but it was Rangers who had the clearest chances as Alnwick saved a Tavernier header and Morelos skewed an effort wide from 12 yards.
Rangers were in control in terms of the scoreline and largely comfortable in the game. In the end, they did not need a third goal to make sure of the three points.
The closing stages were elongated by seven of injury time after a stoppage that saw McGrath receive treatment on the park and then stretchered off.
They did not provide salvation for St Mirren as Rangers saw it out and secured the victory that was merited in the end.
Once again, they had Morelos to thank. Finally, he is 100 and counting at Ibrox.