Match ends, St. Johnstone 0, Rangers 3.
St Johnstone 0-3 Rangers
By Jane Lewis
BBC Scotland at McDiarmid Park
- From the section Football
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Carlos Pena scored twice as Rangers beat 10-man St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership.
Pena fired in James Tavernier's cross to put the visitors ahead shortly after goalkeeper Wes Foderingham denied Saints' Graham Cummins.
The hosts had Steven Anderson sent off for two bookings before Pena headed home another Tavernier delivery.
And Graham Dorrans rounded off the win for Pedro Caixinha's third-placed side, who move three points clear of Saints.
Defeat meant Tommy Wright's team lost back-to-back league matches for the first time this season.
Rangers were again without Kenny Miller, who had returned to training with the first team after missing the win over Hamilton Academical following a fall-out with Caixinha.
Miller did not travel to Perth, with Caixinha putting his absence down to injury.
Saints, who have not beaten Rangers at McDiarmid Park in the league for more than seven years, unsettled the visiting defence at early corners.
But Rangers responded well, with Pena going through on goal only for Murray Davidson to save Saints.
The Ibrox side might have done better with a free-kick after Davidson had fouled Alfredo Morelos. But, instead of shooting, he worked the ball to Declan John and any danger was quickly snuffed out.
At the other end, Saints had a great opportunity when Davidson's pass sent Cummins through at great pace but his effort was well blocked by Foderingham.
They would rue that three minutes later, when a brilliant ball in from right-back Tavernier allowed Pena to finish with aplomb at the back post.
Daniel Candeias was then flagged offside - perhaps incorrectly - when through one-on-one with Alan Mannus, though his shot was saved in any case.
St Johnstone were on the back foot but found some late first-half energy, with Cummins trying his luck with a hooked effort that went out.
Steven MacLean and Cummins caused Rangers further problems after the break, but Saints were unable to make the most of their set-plays.
Five corners came in quick succession and Rangers, with Bruno Alves back to captain the side, handled the pressure, defending well.
If not taking advantage was bad enough, St Johnstone then lost a man. Skipper Anderson was shown a second yellow card for a tug on Morelos' jersey and Rangers were soon further ahead.
Tavernier sent over another lovely ball, inch perfect for Pena to make it 2-0 with a bullet header.
Rangers were running riot. Dorrans thundered a shot off the bar, but then a minute later wrapped up the three points from Jason Holt's low cross.
The scoreline suggested a comfortable win for Rangers without much battle from St Johnstone, but that was not quite the case. Saints offered plenty, but met a Rangers side who looked more organised.
Line-ups
St Johnstone
- 1Mannus
- 14Comrie
- 5Shaughnessy
- 6AndersonBooked at 71mins
- 24Easton
- 10Wotherspoon
- 7MillarSubstituted forPatonat 69'minutesBooked at 80mins
- 8Davidson
- 21Scougall
- 9MacLeanSubstituted forJohnstoneat 81'minutes
- 29CumminsSubstituted forThomsonat 74'minutes
Substitutes
- 3Tanser
- 12Clark
- 17Johnstone
- 18Paton
- 23Gordon
- 26Craig
- 27Thomson
Rangers
- 1Foderingham
- 2Tavernier
- 4Cardoso
- 22Bruno AlvesBooked at 65mins
- 3JohnBooked at 60mins
- 21Candeias
- 23Holt
- 10DorransBooked at 80mins
- 11WindassBooked at 41minsSubstituted forNemaneat 90+2'minutes
- 27PeñaSubstituted forMcCrorieat 85'minutes
- 20MorelosSubstituted forHerreraat 90'minutes
Substitutes
- 7Dálcio
- 15Herrera
- 17Hodson
- 25Alnwick
- 28Nemane
- 35Barjonas
- 40McCrorie
- Referee:
- Don Robertson
- Attendance:
- 6,887
Match Stats
Home TeamSt JohnstoneAway TeamRangers
- Possession
- Home45%
- Away55%
- Shots
- Home5
- Away15
- Shots on Target
- Home2
- Away5
- Corners
- Home16
- Away2
- Fouls
- Home11
- Away12
Live Text
Full Time
Second Half ends, St. Johnstone 0, Rangers 3.
Substitution
Substitution, Rangers. Aaron Nemane replaces Josh Windass.
Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by James Tavernier.
Substitution
Substitution, Rangers. Eduardo Herrera replaces Alfredo Morelos.
Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by Wes Foderingham.
Goal!
Goal! St. Johnstone 0, Rangers 3. Graham Dorrans (Rangers) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Jason Holt.
Substitution
Substitution, Rangers. Ross McCrorie replaces Carlos Peña.
Attempt blocked. Alfredo Morelos (Rangers) header from the centre of the box is blocked.
Graham Dorrans (Rangers) hits the bar with a right footed shot from outside the box.
Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by Daniel Candeias.
Substitution
Substitution, St. Johnstone. Denny Johnstone replaces Steven MacLean.
Booking
Paul Paton (St. Johnstone) is shown the yellow card.
Booking
Graham Dorrans (Rangers) is shown the yellow card.
Foul by Stefan Scougall (St. Johnstone).
Graham Dorrans (Rangers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Goal!
Goal! St. Johnstone 0, Rangers 2. Carlos Peña (Rangers) header from the centre of the box to the top left corner. Assisted by James Tavernier.
Attempt saved. Craig Thomson (St. Johnstone) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Substitution
Substitution, St. Johnstone. Craig Thomson replaces Graham Cummins.
Declan John (Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Steven MacLean (St. Johnstone).
Attempt saved. Carlos Peña (Rangers) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Dismissal
Second yellow card to Steven Anderson (St. Johnstone) for a bad foul.
Foul by Steven Anderson (St. Johnstone).
Alfredo Morelos (Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Paul Paton (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Carlos Peña (Rangers).
Substitution
Substitution, St. Johnstone. Paul Paton replaces Chris Millar.
Foul by Aaron Comrie (St. Johnstone).
Alfredo Morelos (Rangers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by Fábio Cardoso.
Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by Fábio Cardoso.
Booking
Steven Anderson (St. Johnstone) is shown the yellow card.
Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by Bruno Alves.
Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by Josh Windass.
Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by Daniel Candeias.
Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by Declan John.
Chris Millar (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Carlos Peña (Rangers).
Booking
Declan John (Rangers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
