Rangers 4-0 St Mirren: Ibrox side score three penalties to narrow gap with Celtic

Rangers scored three of the four penalties they were awarded as they swept aside bottom side St Mirren to move to within three points of Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic.

James Tavernier slotted in after three minutes, but his second spot kick struck the outside of a post. The Rangers captain made amends with a third penalty after the break.

Tavernier passed up the chance of a hat-trick as Jermain Defoe scored the hosts' fourth spot-kick before Defoe set up Ryan Kent for a fine finish.

The win was enough to take Steven Gerrard's side closer to city rivals Celtic, who play St Johnstone on Sunday.

St Mirren, meanwhile, lose ground on both Hamilton Academical and Dundee, who drew at Hope Stadium.

Reaction & as it happened

Changes made, but same outcome

Gerrard had made eight changes for the second game in a row, with only January loan signings Defoe and Steven Davis, plus centre-half Nikola Katic, retaining their places after the midweek Scottish Cup win at Cowdenbeath.

It meant a return to the diamond midfield - with Defoe partnering Alfredo Morelos up front - that fell flat against Kilmarnock.

The formation appeared to deliver immediately as the on-loan Bournemouth striker won the opening penalty, which was dispatched by Tavernier for his 10th goal of the season.

St Mirren manager Oran Kearney had made 10 January signings as he looked to change his side's fortunes, but his only change from last week's defeat by Hibs was to return Anton Ferdinand to his defence.

Rangers, though, were awarded a second penalty by referee Andrew Dallas, with St Mirren disputing the suggestion of a foul on Defoe by Paul McGinn.

Tavernier's spot kick struck the outside of a post and the Paisley side avoided further damage until after half time as a Kent drive struck the bar.

Right-back Tavernier won - and scored - the third penalty himself, his cross striking Greg Tansey's arm, with the Paisley side left claiming that it had been outside the box.

Rangers were not finished yet as St Mirren's resistance crumbled despite the introduction of new signings Mateo Muzek, Laurentiu Corbu and Duckens Nuzon.

The visitors again disputed a penalty award against Tansey, claiming the midfielder's trip on Daniel Candeias was outside the area.

Rangers' own discussions led to Tavernier handing Defoe the chance to score his first goal at Ibrox and the former England striker duly obliged.

Goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky denied Defoe and Candeias, but Rangers were not to be denied a fourth as Defoe set up Kent for a neat chip over the advancing Czech.

As Rangers continue their challenge at the top, St Mirren slip two points behind Dundee, with Hamilton a point further ahead.

St Mirren's players show their frustation as the referee awards the fourth penalty of the game — St Mirren players appeal to referee Andrew Dallas during the defeat to Rangers

'We looked a bit lethargic' - reaction

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard: "I'm disappointed with the first-half performance. I thought we were a little bit off it.

"I thought we looked a little bit lethargic and forgot to do the basics that are required at football matches at a big club, which is to run hard, be aggressive, make tackles, do the ugly bits."

St Mirren manager Oran Kearney: "I had a good conversation with Andrew Dallas. There was no histrionics, I just asked his opinion. He hadn't watched the penalties back.

"We just kept getting things thrown at us. I suppose it is human nature to think, 'god, how are we ever going to get something out of this?' But there is one definite penalty, the first, and three that aren't."

Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text

Line-ups

Rangers

Formation 4-3-3

1McGregor
2Tavernier
3Worrall
19Katic
31Barisic
37Arfield
17McCrorieBooked at 49minsSubstituted forJackat 54'minutes
10DavisSubstituted forCandeiasat 64'minutes
20MorelosBooked at 39mins
9DefoeSubstituted forLaffertyat 83'minutes
14Kent

Substitutes

8Jack
11Lafferty
13Foderingham
16Halliday
21Candeias
23Coulibaly
40Middleton

St Mirren

Formation 3-5-2

1Hladky
15BairdBooked at 26mins
35Ferdinand
16Popescu
2McGinnBooked at 44minsSubstituted forCorbuat 77'minutes
4McGinn
14Lyons
22Tansey
39ErhahonSubstituted forMuzekat 73'minutes
11JacksonSubstituted forNazonat 56'minutes
10Dreyer

Substitutes

3Muzek
8Flynn
9Nazon
18Mullen
23McAllister
26Holmes
33Corbu

Referee:: Andrew Dallas
Attendance:: 49,463

Match Stats

Home TeamRangersAway TeamSt Mirren

Possession: Home53%; Away47%

Shots: Home25; Away5

Shots on Target: Home11; Away0

Corners: Home8; Away2

Fouls: Home14; Away13

Live Text

Post update
Match ends, Rangers 4, St. Mirren 0.
90'+2'
Full Time
Second Half ends, Rangers 4, St. Mirren 0.

90'+2'
Post update
Attempt missed. Alfredo Morelos (Rangers) right footed shot from the right side of the box is just a bit too high.
90'
Post update
Attempt saved. Ryan Kent (Rangers) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
89'
Post update
Kyle Lafferty (Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
89'
Post update
Foul by Stephen McGinn (St. Mirren).
86'
Post update
Attempt blocked. Duckens Nazon (St. Mirren) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
83'
Post update
Foul by Borna Barisic (Rangers).
83'
Post update
Laurentiu Corbu (St. Mirren) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
83'
Substitution
Substitution, Rangers. Kyle Lafferty replaces Jermain Defoe.
81'
Goal!
Goal! Rangers 4, St. Mirren 0. Ryan Kent (Rangers) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Jermain Defoe.
80'
Goal!
Goal! Rangers 3, St. Mirren 0. Jermain Defoe (Rangers) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the top left corner.
79'
Post update
Penalty Rangers. Daniel Candeias draws a foul in the penalty area.
79'
Post update
Penalty conceded by Greg Tansey (St. Mirren) after a foul in the penalty area.
79'
Post update
Ryan Jack (Rangers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
79'
Post update
Foul by Brad Lyons (St. Mirren).
77'
Substitution
Substitution, St. Mirren. Laurentiu Corbu replaces Paul McGinn.
76'
Post update
Attempt blocked. Daniel Candeias (Rangers) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
76'
Post update
Attempt saved. Alfredo Morelos (Rangers) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
75'
Post update
Attempt saved. Ryan Kent (Rangers) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.

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