Barisic maintains the momentum
RANGERS made it three wins from three in the Premiership and continued their unbeaten start to the campaign with a 1-0 victory over St Mirren.
Borna Barisic scored the only goal of the game with a lovely free-kick to give Steven Gerrard’s side a crucial three points.
It wasn’t a comprehensive showing, but with Legia Warsaw and then Celtic to come this week, the points were all that mattered for the Light
Blues.
So far, so good ahead of Old Firm
When the fixtures were released earlier this summer, the aim was clear for Rangers. Every game leading into the Old Firm showdown in just the fourth Premiership weekend had to won. The next objective now is to see off Celtic on Sunday at Ibrox.
There have been plenty of positives for Gerrard to take from the first weeks of the campaign but the visit of Celtic is the most significant match of the season so far. If their title rivals can be overcome, the momentum will continue and the confidence will rise once again.
Rangers were far from their best here but the three points gained were crucial. In scorching heat and against a resolute opponent, Gerrard’s side just had to find a way to win.
That will be the same come Sunday. If that aim is achieved, we will know a bit more about what this team are all about and what they could do in the Premiership this season.
Rangers need more cutting edge
The five changes that Gerrard made from the team that performed so well in midweek mostly came in defence and attack as Filip Helander and Barisic came in at the back and Jermain Defoe and Jordan Jones started at the other end of the park. In midfield, Glen Kamara returned in place of Steven Davis.
There wasn’t enough cutting edge about Gerrard’s side, though, and it was a frustrating watch at times as the two banks of Saints that stood between Rangers and keeper Vaclav Hladky proved difficult to breach.
When the deadlock was broken, it was no surprise it came from a setpiece as Barisic curled in a perfectly struck free-kick from 25 yards that left the Czech goalkeeper with no chance of stopping it.
Ryan Jack tested Hladky twice, Defoe came close just before being replaced by Alfredo Morelos and the Colombian made a chance for himself that was saved, but there were few moments where Rangers really cut St Mirren open. They dominated possession, but that never looked like being reflected on the scoreboard.
Left-back still a problem for Gerrard
In terms of numbers, Gerrard (inset) isn’t short of options to slot in on the left side of his back four. But he still doesn’t have one that offers the same kind of play as James Tavernier on the opposite flank and Rangers are considerably weaker down that side.
Jon Flanagan has equipped himself well enough in the last couple of matches but it was no surprise that he was rested for this one with Legia in mind. Andy Halliday, meanwhile, is cover rather than a starter. Barisic is a real head-scratcher for Gerrard and supporters.
He is by no means a bad player and he does have attributes that should allow him to perform for Rangers but he seems devoid of confidence and belief at times and too often takes the easy option on the ball.
But his free-kick on the hour mark was terrific and showed the technical ability that he does have. If he could show it more often, there would be no doubt about his place in the team.
Visiting fans didn’t let themselves down
The eyes and ears of Scottish football would have been fixed on the Rangers support before and during this Premiership clash.
A banner of ‘Everyone, Anyone Except BF1’ was held up pre-match as the Union Bears made their feelings clear following Rangers’ decision to shut their section for the visit of Legia Warsaw on Thursday. Hundreds of fans in that area won’t take their seats after UEFA ruled 3,000 tickets had to be withheld, while CD6 and CD7 in the Club Deck will also be closed.
The Union Bears have been at the epicentre of the debate in recent days given their prominence on a matchday at Ibrox and another banner of ‘Their Only Crime Was Loyalty’ was unfurled later in the first half.
The songbook wasn’t all about the football as a handful of Loyalist chants were given an airing but there were none of the controversial addons and the away supporters generally behaved themselves in the Paisley sunshine.
Signs of encouragement for St Mirren
Games against Rangers are not where the Saints’ season is going to be defined and their top-flight survival will depend on the meetings with those around them at the bottom end of the Premiership.But manager Jim Goodwin can be pleased with the performance of his side here as they acquitted themselves well and made it difficult for the visitors.
Jon Obika came closest to an opener for the hosts when his cross inadvertently clipped the bar, while the striker saw penalty appeals waved away after he went down under pressure from Helander.
There was no lack of effort or commitment from the home side, but they never had the quality or attacking impetus to really trouble Rangers until an ultimately unsuccessful late push in search of an equaliser.