“Five talking points” Rangers top Scottish Premiership table with St Johnstone victory
Rangers defeated St Johnstone 3-0 at McDiarmid Park to recover the top spot in the Scottish Premiership.
James Tavernier, the team captain, scored two penalties in the second half after a fantastic first-half
goal from January signing Mohamed Diomande.
The outcome guarantees that Rangers have above Celtic by two points in the Scottish Premiership standings.
The Gers have surpassed their Old Firm rivals after their 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock on Saturday afternoon.
As Rangers make their most recent move to win the Premiership trophy, here are five things we’ve learned:
Rangers show title credentials v St Johnstone
If you need any evidence that things are different this time around for Rangers, you need only have watched the build-up to
the visit to St Johnstone.
Many of this Rangers team have been accused of fluffing their lines when they’ve had the chance to turn the screw on Celtic
but there was no such stage fright here.
Whilst as expected St Johnstone made this game a tough battle – on a cabbage patch of a pitch – there were few doubts
Rangers would get the three points here.
Now firmly at the summit of the Scottish Premiership, there are few doubts with Philippe
Clement at the helm this squad has the power to stay there.
Table-topping Scottish Premiership form built on defence
As our friend Ian Crocker couldn’t resist repeating on Sky Sports, Rangers have only conceded four goals on away
duties in the Scottish Premiership this season.
Quite remarkably, after the 3-0 victory at McDiarmid Park, Rangers are yet to concede even a shot on target
in three matches with St Johnstone this season.
It’s been a quite remarkable shift from the club’s defensive line this season, conceding only 13 goals in
26 Premiership games, keeping 15 clean sheets.
With Jack Butland at the foundation, Rangers stalwarts James Tavernier and Connor Goldson have been
regulars with John Souttar and Borna Barisic slotting in nicely v St Johnstone.
Rangers January quality on show v St Johnstone
All three of Rangers’ January signings started the match v St Johnstone with Mohamed Diomande, Oscar Cortes,
and Fabio Silva enjoying different games in Perth.
Diomande – who is still getting up to speed following his switch from FC Nordsjælland – opened his
account with a long-range first-half stunner.
Oscar Cortes, who had been stalking Rangers on Instagram prior to the game,
will undoubtedly have better games even though the St Johnstone field wasn’t in his favour.
Beyond simply being a flashy player, Fabio Silva is a genuine talent who works hard and is a
trustworthy player who is gaining supporters by the match.
All three are excellent additions to the team, and we can look back on a successful month of transactions
during Philippe Clement’s first transfer window.
Dujon Sterling can play anywhere
When Scott Wright was hooked for Dujon Sterling at half-time, there were few Rangers fans inside the ground surprised.
The Ibrox winger cut a frustrated figure in the first-half and struggled against an expectant Rangers crowd who are
increasingly heaping the pressure on the wide man.
But whilst Wright continues to be trusted by Rangers managers, the fact Dujon Sterling replaced him certainly turned a few heads.
Adding right-winger to the list of positions he’s now played for Rangers – left-wing, midfield, right-back and left-back already
ticked off – the ex-Chelsea talent is the club’s Mr Versatile.
And he even managed to win a penalty.
James Tavernier now Mr Reliable
If understudy Dujon Sterling is Rangers’ Mr Versatile, then captain James Tavernier is the club’s Mr Reliable.
The athletic, purring right-back has taken huge strides in the defensive side of his game and looks an increasingly composed
and controlled presence coming out of the right-hand side.
There’s a maturity and calmness to Tav’s game which is reflective of the entire team at present.
The outstanding club captain was everywhere against St Johnstone, starting the game well, moving into midfield,
and even ending up in the Saints’ box.
The Rangers captain is an incredible player—a right-back, right-winger, playmaker, box-to-box midfielder,
six-yard box poacher, and master penalty taker all rolled into one.
His two goals for the team, 119 and 120, won’t be his last.
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