Risk gets reward for Saints

St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright has praised the character displayed by his players as they have revitalised their season.

Saints have now gone six matches undefeated after, just a few short months ago, propping up the Premiership.

Wright said: “The one thing that performance had was character, but for the last few months the lads have shown a lot of character.

“We were basically written off, and maybe rightly so in some people’s opinion, in November when we were bottom of the table.

“I think that is only two defeats in 15 and to come back against a side like Rangers – we all saw how good they could be on Thursday night against Braga – was pleasing.

“I have been pleased for about the last two months with the way the players have responded.

“When you put that much into the game you deserve that wee bit of luck at times.

“We rode our luck on a few occasions but, ultimately, we have worked extremely hard to get a very precious point against a quality side.

“In the first half we played better but in the second, you had to give Rangers credit because they asked a lot of questions of us.

“We took a bit of a gamble by playing two up front but it paid off.

“Nobody will give us any chance against Celtic next week but if we play as well as we know we can then who knows?”

Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard looked dejected as he reflected upon some shocking Rangers defending, particularly from Nikola Katic at Hendry’s opening goal.

Gerrard said: “We should be sitting here waxing lyrical about Flo Kamberi and Joe Aribo – from an attacking point of view I thought we were outstanding.

“But we shot ourselves in the foot by conceding silly goals.”