Steven Gerrard’s Rangers side moved to the top of the Premiership table tonight after a convincing 3-0 victory against St.Johnstone. The home side didn’t start the game in the most exciting fashion, but a moment of brilliance from Borna Barisic brought the first goal in excellent style. After pummelling a free-kick into the top corner himself, the Croatian then went on to set up Ryan Kent for the Gers’ second of the evening. The final goal of the night was finished off by Joe Aribo, after the Nigerian met a James Tavernier cross at the near post. With Celtic’s game now postponed, the Bears find themselves atop the pile on goal difference with a clear points gap between them and the champions.
Here Are The Rangers Player Ratings Vs St.Johnstone:
Rangers Player Ratings Vs St.Johnstone
Jon McLaughlin – 7
The stopper made a couple of smart saves over the course of the ninety, but wasn’t really troubled on too many occasions otherwise. Collected well from aerial crosses into the box as well.
James Tavernier – 7
The skipper didn’t really threaten too much in the final third during the first-half, but he delivered a brilliant corner on the lead up to Joe Aribo’s strike. Put in a proper defensive shift as well.
Connor Goldson – 7
The big defender was at the end of a majority of the attempts that the St.Johnstone attackers conjured up tonight. Made some important blocks and won a flurry of key headers too.
Leon Balogun – 7
The summer acquisition continued to impress in defence for Gerrard’s side by putting up another composed display. Supremely confident on the ball, but came off at half-time with a slight niggle.
Borna Barisic – 8
The Croatian speedster was all over the St.Johnstone back-line tonight as he continually made inroads in the final third. Set up the second after scoring the first himself with a peach of a free-kick.
Ryan Jack – 7
The midfield commander was in full control of the fixture from the moment Rangers took the lead in the first-half. Looked rock solid in the second period with his almost effortless distribution.
Glen Kamara – 7
The Finnish midfielder put in a more dynamic display than the last few weeks tonight, but can still do more in terms of creating. Did make some good passes out from the Rangers engine room.
Joe Aribo – 8
The Nigerian was at the top of his game once again as picked up a variety of dangerous positions in the St.Johnstone box. Calm with the ball at his feet and scored a good headed goal too.
Ianis Hagi – 6.5
The Romanian was merely a spectator on the flank all through the first-half, but he came into the game a lot more in the second period. Made some good touches in attack but with no end-product.
Alfredo Morelos – 7
The Colombian worked extremely hard off the ball in attack, as he was a constant bundle of energy in the final third. Tried to hold the ball up as well, but didn’t really have a chance to score.
Ryan Kent – 7.5
The speedster put in an excellent display down the flank again as he linked up with the full-backs very efficiently. Played some brilliant crosses into the box and did well to tuck away his opportunity as well.
Substitutes
Filip Helander – 7
The centre-half was brought in at half-time in place of Balogun. Put in a solid shift alongside Goldson and bailed his partner out by making a vital last-ditch tackle in the box as well.
Kemar Roofe – 6
The Jamaican struggled to get involved in the tie after being introduced around the hour mark. Played a couple of loose passes and was fortunate enough to walk away from a horror tackle.
Cedric Itten – 6.5
The Swiss striker showed his willingness to work for the team after coming on tonight as he made a nuisance of himself on the away defenders. Didn’t have too many shooting opportunities though.
Scott Arfield – 6.5
The midfielder looked sharp in possession after coming on as he had a few neat touches in the final third. Tried to find spaces in the away side’s back-line and played some good forward passes too.
Steven Davis – 6
Sat in front of the back-line and controlled the tempo with his passing. Was forced to track back and do a lot of defending in the late stages of the tie. Calm and composed in possession though.
