Morelos back on the goal trail as clinical Rangers stay 16 points clear in title race
Rangers signed off a year most people can’t wait to see the back of with another victor y which ensures 2021 continues to hold rich promise for Steven Gerrard and his players.
The likelihood of them celebrating a first title win in a decade will become much clearer after reigning champions Celtic come first-footing to Ibrox on Saturday.
But this success against St Mirren in Paisley, their 13th consecutive Premiership win, maintains their commanding 16-point lead over their rivals.
KemarRoofe’ s ninth goal in his last 11 appearances put Rangers in front before a welcome return to scoring form for Alfredo Morelos, his first in eight games, ensured a measure of revenge for their shock Betfred Cup exit at the same ground two weeks earlier.
It wasn’t an afternoon without its difficult moments for the league leaders but they can feel more than satisfied by the solidly professional manner in which they ultimately subdued their eager opponents.
St Mirr en manager Jim Goodwin reverted to the same star ting line -up who b egan that dramatic cup victory. If he felt he had discovered the formula to upset the Ibrox side, it certainly looked that way again in an uncertain opening spell for the visitors.
Jamie McGrath forced a decent save from Allan Mcgregor. The Rangers goal keeper, making his 400 th appearance for the club, then looked less assured when he spilled as hot from Dylan Conno ll y only for Jon Obika to blaze the loose ball over from close range.
It was a glorious opp or tunity for Saints and they were made to pay for their profligacy when Rangers opened the scoring with their first meaningful attack.
Delightful foot work from Ian is Hagi allowed him to elude close attention from defenders and thread a pass to Roofe, whose shot took a nick off Conor Mccarthy on its way to beating Jak Alnwick. The goal settled R angers and six minutes later they doubled their lead.
It was a gift from Saints captain Joe Shaughnessy who was woefully short with a passback which was seized upon eagerly by Mo re los. There was no hint of rustiness about his finishing as he coolly dispatched his first league goal since September beyond the exposed Alnwick.
There was a reminder for Rangers that St Mirr en wouldn’t submit meekly when Obika out muscled Con nor Goldson to force a good save from Mcgregor four minutes into the second half.
Gerrard’s men had to work hard both in and out of possession to repel Saints’ efforts to claw their way back into the contest as the added insurance of a third goal eluded them.
St Mirren (4-5-1): Alnwick, Fraser, Mccarthy, Shaughnessy, Tait; Connolly (Mcallister 82), Mcgrath (Dennis 77), Doyle-hayes, Erhahon (Macpherson 85), Mason (Durmus 77); Obika. Subs not used: Lyness, Flynn, Foley, Morais, Erwin.
Rangers (4-3-3): Mcgregor, Tavernier (Balogun 88), Goldson, Helander, Barisic; Aribo, Davis, Kamara; Roofe (Kent 74), Morelos, Hagi (Zungu 80). Subs not used: Mclaughlin, Bassey, Patterson, Barker, Defoe, Itten.
Referee: Alan Muir