Rangers 2 - 1 St Johnstone
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By Clive Lindsay
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Kenny Miller's fifth goal of the season broke St Johnstone's stiff resistance as champions Rangers took over at the top of the Scottish Premier League.
The visitors took a deserved lead after 25 minutes with a blistering long-range drive from Danny Grainger.
But Kevin Rutkiewicz failed to prevent Sasa Papac's side-footed effort crossing the line eight minutes later.
Rangers dominated after the break and Miller finished clinically after Lee McCulloch threaded the ball through.
The reigning champions had been the better side in the early moments, but a powerful free-kick from Papac that was well smothered by goalkeeper Graeme Smith was their only real threat.
St Johnstone manager Derek McInnes had made three changes from the midweek Co-operative Insurance Cup win over Morton, with Steven Anderson, Jody Morris and Marcus Haber replacing Sam Parkin, Scott Dobie and Cleveland Taylor.
 Grainger (right) put St Johnstone ahead at Ibrox
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And Haber was particularly impressive, finding space behind the home defence and goalkeeper Allan McGregor had to block an effort from the Canadian at the near post.
St Johnstone were forced to make a change after 20 minutes when Murray Davidson was stretchered off after a clash of heads with team-mate Haber and was replaced with Liam Caddis.
However, Saints were not knocked out of their collective stride against a stuttering Rangers and went ahead when Morris found Grainger with a well-worked corner and the defender's drive flew past McGregor from 25 yards.
The lead only lasted eight minutes and it was a bit of a scrappy affair.
While fellow new signing Nikica Jelavic had to make do with a place on Rangers' bench, Vladimir Weiss had been handed his first start for Rangers in place of the suspended Kyle Lafferty and the on-loan Manchester City winger was proving to be the home side's most creative force.
The Slovak's cross found the head of Stevie Naismith and, although goalkeeper Smith touched it on to the near post, Papac slid in to direct the ball towards the line then Rutkiewicz could do no more than help the ball over the line in his attempt to clear.
That spurred on the home side. But, although they increased the pressure, a shot on the turn from McCulloch, who had started in central midfield in place of Maurice Edu, that bobbled into the arms of Smith was the closest they came before the break.
Rangers began the second half where they had left off and McCulloch fired a few yards wide from 18 yards.
With Rangers having failed to make the breakthrough, Jelavic was given that long-awaited debut following his protracted £4m move from Rapid Vienna, taking the place of James Beattie.
The Croat immediately created an opening with a clever chip to Naismith, but the Scotland forward headed straight at former Rangers goalkeeper Smith from 10 yards.
Rangers finally made their pressure tell after 79 minutes, when McCulloch threaded a lovely ball through to Miller, who calmly turned it into the far corner with the outside of his boot from 15 yards.
Live text and stats
Saturday, 28 August 2010
Scottish Premier
| Home Team | Score | Away Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rangers | 2-1 | St Johnstone | FT |
| (HT 1-1) | |||
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Rangers
- 01 McGregor
- 03 Weir
- 05 Papac yellow card
- 16 Whittaker
- 24 Bougherra
- 06 McCulloch yellow card
- 08 Davis
- 20 Weiss yellow card (Edu 83)
- 09 Miller
- 14 Naismith
- 19 Beattie (Jelavic 67)
Substitutes
- 25 Alexander,
- 04 Broadfoot,
- 23 McMillan,
- 07 Edu,
- 18 Jelavic,
- 29 Little,
- 41 Hutton
St Johnstone
- 15 Smith
- 03 Grainger
- 05 Rutkiewicz
- 06 Duberry
- 12 Anderson yellow card (Dobie 86)
- 19 Maybury
- 04 Morris
- 07 Millar
- 20 Davidson (Caddis 18)
- 21 Samuel yellow card (Taylor 72)
- 27 Haber
Substitutes
- 01 Enckelman,
- 17 Gartland,
- 37 Caddis,
- 11 Taylor,
- 32 May,
- 09 Parkin,
- 18 Dobie
- Final Result
- Full Time
- 90:00+3:30 The final whistle is blown by the referee.
- 90:00+2:32 Alan Maybury concedes a free kick for a foul on Steven Naismith. The ball is delivered by Sasa Papac, Effort from 18 yards by Steven Davis. Blocked by Kevin Rutkiewicz.
- 90:00+1:56 Header by Marcus Haber from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the goal.
- 90:00+1:03 Goal kick taken long by Graeme Smith (St Johnstone).
- 89:41 Goal kick taken long by Allan McGregor (Rangers).
- 87:25 Scott Dobie has a mishit shot. Save made by Allan McGregor.
- 87:04 Defending throw-in by Sasa Papac (Rangers).
- 86:29 Kenny Miller is caught offside. Graeme Smith takes the free kick.
- 85:01 Goal kick taken long by Allan McGregor (Rangers).
- 85:01 Substitution St Johnstone substitution: Steven Anderson replaced by Scott Dobie (tactical).
- 84:08 Attacking throw-in by Steven Anderson (St Johnstone).
- 83:31 Goal kick taken long by Allan McGregor (Rangers).
- 82:18 Direct free kick taken left-footed by Daniel Grainger (St Johnstone) from own half, resulting in open play.
- 82:18 Substitution Rangers substitution: Vladimir Weiss replaced by Maurice Edu (tactical).
- 82:18 Booking Lee McCulloch (Rangers) booked for unsporting behaviour.
- 82:18 Foul by Lee McCulloch (Rangers) on Liam Caddis (St Johnstone).
- 80:07 Outswinging corner from left by-line taken left-footed by Daniel Grainger (St Johnstone) to far post, clearance by Lee McCulloch (Rangers).
- 78:18 Assist (pass) by Lee McCulloch (Rangers) from left channel.
- 78:18 GOAL - Kenny Miller:Rangers 2 - 1 St Johnstone Goal by Kenny Miller (Rangers) right-footed (bottom-left of goal) from left side of penalty area (12 yards).Rangers 2-1 St Johnstone.
- 76:20 Free kick crossed by Vladimir Weiss, save made by Graeme Smith.
- 76:20 Booking Steven Anderson is booked.
- 76:13 Free kick awarded for a foul by Steven Anderson on Vladimir Weiss.
- 74:07 Nikica Jelavic fouled by Michael Duberry, the ref awards a free kick. Vladimir Weiss produces a strike on goal direct from the free kick.
- 73:40 Defending throw-in by Alan Maybury (St Johnstone).
- 72:37 Foul by Steven Naismith (Rangers) on Michael Duberry (St Johnstone). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Michael Duberry (St Johnstone) from own half, resulting in open play.
- 70:53 Madjid Bougherra takes the free kick.
- 70:53 Substitution Collin Samuel leaves the field to be replaced by Cleveland Taylor.
- 70:53 Unfair challenge on Madjid Bougherra by Collin Samuel results in a free kick.
- 70:16 Attacking throw-in by Alan Maybury (St Johnstone).
- 69:43 Graeme Smith restarts play with the free kick.
- 69:43 Booking Caution for Vladimir Weiss.
- 69:32 Daniel Grainger fouled by Vladimir Weiss, the ref awards a free kick.
- 69:11 Attacking throw-in by Steven Whittaker (Rangers).
- 68:12 The ball is sent over by Nikica Jelavic, Steven Naismith takes a shot. Save by Graeme Smith.
- 67:14 Goal kick taken long by Allan McGregor (Rangers).
- 66:29 Attacking throw-in by Daniel Grainger (St Johnstone).
- 66:29 Substitution (Rangers) makes a substitution, with Nikica Jelavic coming on for James Beattie.
- 65:55 Madjid Bougherra fouled by Michael Duberry, the ref awards a free kick. Allan McGregor takes the direct free kick.
- 65:33 Attacking throw-in by Daniel Grainger (St Johnstone).
- 64:38 Shot on goal by Vladimir Weiss from just inside the area goes over the target.
- 63:04 Attacking throw-in by Steven Whittaker (Rangers).
- 61:13 Goal kick taken long by Graeme Smith (St Johnstone).
- 61:02 Attacking throw-in by Vladimir Weiss (Rangers).
- 60:13 Unfair challenge on Liam Caddis by Sasa Papac results in a free kick. Graeme Smith takes the free kick.
- 59:11 Direct free kick taken right-footed by Allan McGregor (Rangers) from own half, passed.
- 59:11 Booking Collin Samuel (St Johnstone) booked for unsporting behaviour.
- 59:11 Foul by Collin Samuel (St Johnstone) on David Weir (Rangers).
- 58:48 Handball by Steven Naismith (Rangers). Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Jody Morris (St Johnstone) from own half, passed.
- 58:03 Goal kick taken long by Graeme Smith (St Johnstone).
- 56:54 Foul by Chris Millar (St Johnstone) on Steven Davis (Rangers). Free kick taken right-footed by Steven Davis (Rangers) from right channel (20 yards), blocked by Daniel Grainger (St Johnstone).
- 55:46 Goal kick taken long by Graeme Smith (St Johnstone).
- 55:36 Attacking throw-in by Steven Whittaker (Rangers).
- 53:25 Foul by Lee McCulloch (Rangers) on Daniel Grainger (St Johnstone). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Jody Morris (St Johnstone) from own half, passed.
- 52:42 Goal kick taken long by Graeme Smith (St Johnstone).
- 51:53 Foul by Kevin Rutkiewicz (St Johnstone) on Steven Naismith (Rangers). Free kick crossed right-footed by Vladimir Weiss (Rangers) from right wing, clearance by Kevin Rutkiewicz (St Johnstone).
- 51:15 Chris Millar challenges Sasa Papac unfairly and gives away a free kick. The free kick is swung in right-footed by Vladimir Weiss, Kevin Rutkiewicz makes a clearance.
- 50:39 Attacking throw-in by Daniel Grainger (St Johnstone).
- 49:56 James Beattie is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Graeme Smith takes the indirect free kick.
- 48:53 Defending throw-in by Alan Maybury (St Johnstone).
- 48:12 Lee McCulloch has an effort at goal from just outside the area which goes wide of the left-hand post.
- 45:49 The assistant referee signals for offside against Kenny Miller. Michael Duberry restarts play with the free kick.
- 45:23 Attacking throw-in by Steven Anderson (St Johnstone).
- 45:01 The second half has started.
- Half Time
- 45:00+5:17 The whistle is blown to end the first half.
- 45:00+4:43 Kenny Miller (Rangers) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Michael Duberry (St Johnstone) from own half, resulting in open play.
- 45:00+4:24 Defending throw-in by Sasa Papac (Rangers).
- 45:00+4:00 Lee McCulloch has an effort at goal. Save by Graeme Smith.
- 45:00+3:35 Attacking throw-in by Vladimir Weiss (Rangers).
- 45:00+2:58 Attacking throw-in by Sasa Papac (Rangers).
- 45:00+1:33 Alan Maybury fouled by Kenny Miller, the ref awards a free kick. Graeme Smith takes the direct free kick.
- 45:00+0:18 Unfair challenge on Vladimir Weiss by Steven Anderson results in a free kick. Vladimir Weiss crosses the ball from the free kick right-footed from left channel.
- 43:52 Defending throw-in by Sasa Papac (Rangers).
- 43:17 Goal kick taken long by Graeme Smith (St Johnstone).
- 43:05 Attacking throw-in by Vladimir Weiss (Rangers).
- 42:18 Defending throw-in by Steven Anderson (St Johnstone).
- 41:33 Defending throw-in by Alan Maybury (St Johnstone).
- 40:30 Attacking throw-in by Sasa Papac (Rangers).
- 39:55 Shot from just outside the area by Vladimir Weiss misses to the left of the target.
- 39:32 Foul by Marcus Haber on David Weir, free kick awarded. Allan McGregor restarts play with the free kick.
- 38:56 Foul by Kenny Miller (Rangers) on Michael Duberry (St Johnstone). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Graeme Smith (St Johnstone) from own half, resulting in open play.
- 37:54 Unfair challenge on Jody Morris by Lee McCulloch results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Graeme Smith.
- 36:45 Corner taken by Vladimir Weiss from the right by-line played to the near post, Steven Anderson manages to make a clearance.
- 35:46 Goal kick taken short by Allan McGregor (Rangers).
- 35:13 James Beattie produces a right-footed shot from the edge of the area and misses to the left of the goal.
- 34:42 Liam Caddis has a shot on goal from outside the box which misses left.
- 32:26 The assist for the goal came from Steven Naismith.
- 32:26 GOAL - Sasa Papac:Rangers 1 - 1 St Johnstone A goal is scored by Sasa Papac from inside the six-yard box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Rangers 1-1 St Johnstone.
- 31:59 The ball is delivered by Vladimir Weiss,
- 31:15 Defending throw-in by Alan Maybury (St Johnstone).
- 29:27 Goal kick taken short by Allan McGregor (Rangers).
- 28:58 Lee McCulloch concedes a free kick for a foul on Collin Samuel. Jody Morris restarts play with the free kick.
- 27:02 Daniel Grainger crosses the ball in from the free kick, Michael Duberry concedes a free kick for a foul on Madjid Bougherra. Allan McGregor restarts play with the free kick.
- 27:02 Booking Sasa Papac goes into the book.
- 26:56 Sasa Papac concedes a free kick for a foul on Marcus Haber.
- 26:12 Shot by James Beattie (Rangers) right-footed from left channel (20 yards), save (caught) by Graeme Smith (St Johnstone).
- 24:25 The assist for the goal came from Jody Morris.
- 24:25 GOAL - Daniel Grainger:Rangers 0 - 1 St Johnstone Daniel Grainger fires in a goal from outside the area to the top right corner of the goal. Rangers 0-1 St Johnstone.
- 23:21 Collin Samuel fouled by David Weir, the ref awards a free kick. Daniel Grainger crosses the ball from the free kick left-footed from right wing, Vladimir Weiss gets a block in. Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Jody Morris from the right by-line to the near post.
- 22:01 Shot by Vladimir Weiss (Rangers) right-footed from left side of penalty area (18 yards), save (caught) by Graeme Smith (St Johnstone).
- 21:30 Attacking throw-in by Steven Whittaker (Rangers).
- 21:22 Attacking throw-in by Steven Whittaker (Rangers).
- 20:25 Attacking throw-in by Steven Anderson (St Johnstone).
- 17:36 Substitution St Johnstone substitution: Murray Davidson replaced by Liam Caddis (serious injury).
- 14:10 Effort on goal by Vladimir Weiss from 20 yards. Save by Graeme Smith.
- 12:21 Marcus Haber (St Johnstone) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Allan McGregor (Rangers) from own half, passed.
- 11:46 Foul by Steven Anderson (St Johnstone) on Kenny Miller (Rangers). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Kenny Miller (Rangers) from left channel, passed.
- 11:25 Goal kick taken short by Allan McGregor (Rangers).
- 9:50 Shot by Marcus Haber (St Johnstone) right-footed from right side of six-yard box (6 yards), save (tipped round post) by Allan McGregor (Rangers). Corner from right by-line taken short left-footed by Daniel Grainger (St Johnstone).
- 8:48 Foul by Madjid Bougherra (Rangers) on Marcus Haber (St Johnstone). Free kick crossed left-footed by Daniel Grainger (St Johnstone) from left wing, clearance by Madjid Bougherra (Rangers).
- 8:01 The assistant referee signals for offside against Marcus Haber. David Weir takes the indirect free kick.
- 6:44 Goal kick taken long by Allan McGregor (Rangers).
- 6:26 Attacking throw-in by Chris Millar (St Johnstone).
- 4:29 Jody Morris produces a right-footed shot from long distance which goes wide right of the goal.
- 4:01 Foul by Sasa Papac (Rangers) on Collin Samuel (St Johnstone). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Michael Duberry (St Johnstone) from right channel, passed.
- 3:09 Defending throw-in by Daniel Grainger (St Johnstone).
- 1:59 Free kick awarded for a foul by Murray Davidson on Kenny Miller. Direct free kick taken by Sasa Papac, James Beattie has an effort at goal. Graeme Smith makes a save.
- 0:00 The game gets underway.
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