Rangers moved uneasily into the fifth spherical of the Scottish Cup due to an unlikely winner from Borna Barisic in opposition to St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park.
Near the top of a uninteresting first half, the Gers left-back fired in from 16 yards for his first objective in virtually two seasons and it proved decisive for a 1-0 victory.
The fourth-round tie had been the topic of a ticket row between Saints followers and the Perth membership’s board after Gers supporters had been allotted three stands, and the house assist appeared to be within the a whole bunch.
However, the benefit the Govan males had within the crowd was hardly translated on to the pitch and typically it was an unconvincing and laboured efficiency by the Ibrox males.
Michael Beale has gained eight and drawn one since taking on as Light Blues boss, however work stays to be executed as he seems to be to rebuild the squad.
Amid the continuing debate in regards to the deserves of the Rangers goalkeepers, 40-year-old Allan McGregor was again between the sticks with Ryan Jack and Malik Tillman additionally returning.
Saints had misplaced their earlier 5 fixtures and boss Callum Davidson rang the adjustments, with James Brown, Cammy MacPherson, Daniel Phillips, Melker Hallberg and Connor McLennan coming again into the facet which ran out to see round 7,000 travelling followers and made it really feel like the sport was at Ibrox.
However, but once more it was a removed from blistering begin from Rangers, however that they had the primary likelihood within the sixteenth minute when Ryan Kent crossed from the left for fellow attacker Fashion Sakala however he wildly volleyed extensive of the goal.
The house facet had been preventing their nook and threw the ball into the Gers field virtually at each alternative seeking to exploit the hesitancy which had been current this season.
Rangers couldn’t get into prime gear however within the thirty eighth minute Barisic curled a free-kick from 25 yards previous Remi Matthews’ left-hand publish.
It appeared like the primary half was going to finish goalless when St Johnstone defender James Brown went off with a watch damage to get replaced by Graham Carey, however the Govan males struck.
Sakala took a intelligent go from Tillman and crashed a low drive in opposition to the far publish, with Matthews overwhelmed, however on-rushing Barisic rapidly drove the rebound excessive into the web from simply contained in the field for his first objective since scoring a penalty in opposition to Royal Antwerp in February 2021.
Barisic virtually arrange Rangers’ second objective within the 56th minute when he despatched in a nook which was met by the top of fellow defender Connor Goldson, however Matthews made a improbable save and the house facet cleared to security.
Both groups made adjustments off the bench. For the house facet Nicky Clark and Theo Blair changed Stevie May and Hallberg whereas Rangers introduced on Scott Wright and Glen Kamara for Sakala and Tillman, earlier than Gers midfielder Jack drove extensive with a pot-shot from distance.
Wright drew a effective save from Matthews with a curling shot earlier than striker Alfredo Morelos’ poorly struck effort from shut vary was cleared off the road by defender Andy Considine.
At the opposite finish, Rangers skipper James Tavernier scooped a flick from Blair off the road after the visiting defence had conceded their first actual likelihood.
In the ultimate minute of regular time Clark examined McGregor with an honest drive and Rangers had been hanging on nervously at instances within the closing minutes.
