Rangers came from behind to seal a hard-fought 2-1 victory over St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park.
Late strike secures 2-1 success
Rangers came from behind to seal a hard-fought 2-1 victory over St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park.
St Johnstone were rewarded for a bright start to the game with a fine opening goal from Colin Samuel after 17 minutes, but Rangers equalised five minutes before the interval courtesy of a close-range finish from Kris Boyd.
Both sides created chances in the second period but it was Rangers who managed to claim all three points thanks to a delightful, curling effort from Sasa Papac seven minutes from time.
Shock lead
Only the woodwork prevented St Johnstone taking a shock lead with just three minutes gone.
Samuel burst down the left flank before delivering a cross into the box for Martin Hardie, whose header cracked off Allan McGregor's right-hand post.
The home side had Rangers under pressure again when Gavin Swankie tried to set up Samuel for the header in front of goal but David Weir managed to intercept and clear the danger.
Rangers failed to heed the warning signs and found themselves trailing with 17 minutes gone when Samuel raced onto a superb ball from Murray Davidson before bearing down on goal and doing well to keep his composure and slot under McGregor.
Walter Smith's men had the opportunity to equalise when Steven Whittaker was fouled just outside the box but Jerome Rothen's effort curled harmlessly wide, before Alan Main comfortably blocked a shot from the edge of the area from Kyle Lafferty.
Rangers claimed for handball when a Boyd ball came off David MacKay but the pleas were ignored by referee William Collum, who awarded a corner rather than a penalty.
But Rangers were back on level terms four minutes before the break anyway when a Kevin Thomson shot was inadvertently blocked by Papac and broke for Boyd to rifle home the rebound from eight yards.
Determined
Saints should have had the stuffing knocked out of them after conceding an equaliser but emerged for the second half determined to reclaim their advantage.
Chris Millar saw a 25-yard drive fizz past the post before Davidson squeezed between Weir and McCulloch and threw himself in front of a Hardie cross only to connect awkwardly and nod just wide.
Saints then passed up a great chance when Samuel rolled the ball to Davidson from the right but he left the ball for Millar, who was also fooled by the dummy, and his hesitation cost him the opportunity to find the back of the net.
St Johnstone appeared unwilling to settle for the point and could have snatched victory when Filipe Morais set up Samuel but his ferocious shot was blocked by the body of McGregor.
Rangers had already thrown Steven Naismith and Nacho Novo into the action and they were joined by Kenny Miller with less than 10 minutes to go in a desperate late push for a winner.
They did claim the decisive goal after 83 minutes but it came from an unusual source.
Naismith provided the pass for Papac in plenty of space and he had time to switch from his right to his preferred left foot before lashing into the back of the net.
