Rangers win at St Mirren — Rangers secured a 2-0 victory over St Mirren at The SMiSA Stadium on Saturday, a result that lifts them to within one point of Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic. Ryan Naderi’s first-half penalty and Dan Neil’s deflected second after the hour mark were enough to end a run of two away draws and extend Rangers’ unbeaten streak in all competitions to 12 matches.
Derek McInnes’s side had been held by Dundee and Hearts in their previous two league games on the road, but they controlled this contest well enough to return to winning ways. The win keeps them level on fixtures with Celtic, though the Hoops can restore a four-point advantage when they host Kilmarnock on Sunday before the international break.
Penalty decision draws scrutiny
The opening goal arrived in the 18th minute when referee Nick Walsh awarded a penalty after James Penrice went down under a challenge. Sky Sports co-commentator James McFadden described the call as “softer than soft,” and former Celtic striker Chris Sutton was even more critical, saying Penrice had played the referee “like a piccolo.” Sutton argued there was not sufficient contact to justify the decision.
Penrice, speaking to Sky Sports after the match, said he had not seen a replay but had been told it was not a penalty. He acknowledged feeling contact and added that the defender “dangled a leg” and kicked him, preventing him from reaching the ball. Sutton responded to that interview by suggesting Penrice sounded “pretty guilty” and unconvinced by his own words, while Kris Boyd offered a more colourful take, comparing the debate over the softness of the decision to the inescapable reality of a boiled egg.
Naderi converted the spot-kick to continue his impressive scoring form, and Rangers doubled their lead in the 61st minute when Dan Neil’s strike took a deflection on its way past the goalkeeper. The second goal gave the visitors breathing room and allowed them to manage the closing stages comfortably.
McInnes pleased with control
Rangers manager Derek McInnes felt his team deserved the three points and highlighted their ability to mix up their play against a St Mirren side he described as a good team that tests your organisation. He noted that the second goal took the game away from the hosts and that his side could have added to their tally with more clinical finishing. McInnes was simply glad to leave with the win.
The result means Rangers remain firmly in the title race as they head into the international break. St Mirren, meanwhile, will look to regroup after a defeat that leaves them without a point from this encounter. The focus for Rangers now shifts to maintaining their momentum when domestic action resumes.
