George Overhill

Sat 28 January 2023 17:00, UK

Rangers ran out comfortable 2-0 winners in the second consecutive meeting with St Johnstone as Todd Cantwell and Ianis Hagi featured.

James Tavernier put his side ahead with a perfect penalty conversion after a quarter of an hour following a handball and the Gers were on top for the rest of the day from there, especially once Nicky Clark was sent off for a heavy challenge with Ryan Jack in the 36th minute.

Glen Kamara doubled the lead before the hour after debutant Todd Cantwell found Alfredo Morelos whose lovely flick left his teammate free in the box to finish, and the Light Blues played out a composed victory without really hitting top gear.

Here, Ibrox News rates the Rangers players out of 10 for their performances at Ibrox.

Allan McGregor – 6

Pretty comfortable afternoon where he was largely left to spectate.

James Tavernier – 7

Did what he does and whipped the opener high into the back of the net from the spot. Got forward early and helped generate early pressure. Professional performance thereafter.

Connor Goldson – 6

Did fine without needing to be at his best on a pretty comfortable afternoon.

Ben Davies – 6

Went through the entire game while hardly being noticed. For a Rangers defender in a league game at Ibrox that isn’t necessarily a bad thing on a day where St Johnstone didn’t offer much going forward.

Borna Barisic – 7

No complaints for the Croatian. Got forward often and could have had an assist if Cantwell had converted one cut back.

Glen Kamara – 9 Man of the Match

Very good game and took his goal well. Played a fantastic ball that put Morelos clean through mid-way through the first half that should have led to a second goal, before he provided it himself before the hour with a composed finish from the Colombian’s flick. Took advantage of being given time on the ball with a comfortable showing, always available for a pass and played some lovely balls forward that perhaps should have led to more goals.

Ryan Jack (off for Lundstram ’45) – 5

Was on the receiving end of a hefty challenge from Clark that produced a red card from Willie Collum late in the half after a VAR intervention. Almost immediately he the nearly got himself sent off with a rash challenge in the opposition box but Collum produced only a yellow despite a second look on the pitch-side monitor. May have been smarting still but it was a pretty brainless risk to take which almost gave St Johnstone a way back into the game and Beale wasn’t taking any chances by replacing him at the break.

Malik Tillman (off for Hagi ’72) – 8

Looked great for most of the day, just a tiny bit off producing some telling moments. Heavily involved from the start, looking comfortable and confident on the ball. Booked for an unnecessary sliding challenge from behind after the break to slightly spoil a very nice performance.

Todd Cantwell (off for Sakala ’63) – 7

Looked at home at Ibrox straight away in his first hour of action. Combined well with his fellow attackers and on this showing should be a very useful signing. Played his part in the build up to Kamara’s goal, but did sky a great chance for a first Rangers goal early in the second half.

Ryan Kent (off for Wright ’72) – 7

A typical Kent outing. Looked a danger from early, running at St Johnstone defenders and bringing teammates into the game. Threatening throughout but again without a goal or assist. That was as much down to Remi Matthews in the visitors’ goal and Morelos’ lack of accuracy but could have had a more tangible impact.

Alfredo Morelos (off for Colak ’72) – 6

Another up and down game for El Bufalo that was rescued with a nice assist. Doesn’t go missing but had plenty of opportunities in the first half. Worryingly wayward with his finishing, most glaringly when perfectly played in by Kamara. But went a long way to making up for that with a beautiful flick to assist the Fin to score the second.

SUBSTITUTES

John Lundstram (on for Jack ’45) – 6

Not his best game but at least there wasn’t much risk of him being sent off.

Fashion Sakala (on for Cantwell ’63) – 6

Perhaps unlucky to be the man to miss out for Cantwell’s debut. Often needs a bit of time to really turn it on in the game and didn’t really have that here.

Antonio Colak (on for Morelos ’72) – 6

Scott Wright (on for Kent ’72) – 6

Ianis Hagi (on for Tillman ’72) – 6

Fantastic to see him back in action. Reacted angrily to one late challenge, perhaps showing what an ordeal he has been through.

In other Rangers news, an imminent £4million loan-to-buy is getting in the way of the Light Blues late transfer push.