Gers win ‘not sexy’ but manager hails job done in Paisley

Philippe Clement admitted Rangers’ performance in their 2-1 win at St Mirren was far from “sexy” but insisted winning was all that mattered.

The Ibrox side arrived at the SMISA Stadium without a cinch Premiership victory in three matches but took the lead in the 33rd minute when Saints defender James Bolton put the ball into his own net.

Home striker Mikael Mandron deservedly levelled with a wellplaced header four minutes later, but in the 74th minute striker Cyriel Dessers headed in a terrific cross from skipper James Tavernier for his 20th Rangers goal of the season and three crucial points.

Clement said: “They did what they need to do and that is winning games. That is the first thing.

“Was it our most sexy game? No. But it is also the circumstances and all respect to St Mirren also.

“They are aggressive, they are powerful in the duels, the pitch is also smaller and that creates more duels.

“We had to dig in, we knew that from before, but the team did. We get the result. I don’t think, if you don’t lead with 2-0 or 3-0, that any team will have an easy game here.

“That is because of the quality and mentality of St Mirren, of their players and their manager. It is about taking the three points and with a very good second goal also.

“Football is about the results in the end. Nobody remembers that we won 4-0 against Hibs in October with really good football or other games.

“There is not one team in the world who only win games in a very beautiful way, like the team did already several times. For sure, not teams who win trophies.

“You need both and they showed the right mentality today. Now it is getting good recovery and working towards next weekend to go full for the three points again.”

Saints boss Stephen Robinson was left wishing his side were taking points rather than plaudits from games against the Old Firm.

The Northern Irishman, whose side lost 3-0 to Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic in their previous outing, said: “We have had a lot of ‘well dones’ from top-class managers this season and Philippe was very complimentary about how good we are and the style of football we play.

“Brendan was the same in the last game, but ultimately we came out of both games with no points.”

Rangers’ Cyriel Dessers celebrates his goal.