Rangers St Johnstone
T3 0
HE theory goes that the points on the board are more valuable than the games in hand. Rangers can now put that logic to the test. When Steven Gerrard’s side left the park after seeing off St Mirren on Sunday, they would hardly have expected to end the evening two points ahead of Celtic in the Premiership title race. And they would certainly not have foreseen the chance to extend that advantage to 11 by the time their Old Firm rivals next play a domestic fixture.
That is the opportunity that presents itself for Rangers now, though, and they made no mistake with the first stage of it by beating St Johnstone at Ibrox. Much like that win over the other Saints at the weekend, this was ultimately a straightforward affair.
First-half goals from Borna Barisic and Ryan Kent had them well on their way. A Joe Aribo header just after the break made it three goals and three points on the night for Rangers.
Fixtures like this have proven so costly for Rangers over the previous two campaigns. If they can continue to take care of them in such a manner, it certainly bodes well for a more prolonged and serious title challenge.
A trip to Livingston awaits on Sunday for Gerrard’s side before Kilmarnock visit Ibrox. It is only after those games are played that Celtic will return to action away to Dundee United.
At Parkhead, all Neil Lennon can do is sit and watch on. He will rue by the day the actions of Boli Bolingoli and hope that the self-inflicted damage doesn’t prove too costly for Celtic.
Rangers just have to continue taking care of business and that is what Gerrard’s side did here. The 40-year-old is unlikely to look too far ahead or think what might be in the coming days but he would have been fully aware of the importance of this fixture.
It was surprising, then, to see Rangers start as sluggishly. The first-half performance was far from what was expected but they