St Mirren 1 – 2 Rangers

Cyriel Dessers stored Rangers’ Scottish Premiership title problem alive as he headed in a late winner to clinch a 2-1 victory in opposition to St Mirren.

Trailing Celtic by three factors, Philippe Clement’s aspect knew solely a win would do as they give the impression of being to reclaim the trophy from their Previous Agency rivals.

St Mirren’s James Bolton poked the ball into his personal internet to place the guests forward however Mikael Mandron despatched a superb header in off the submit to tug them degree virtually immediately.

Stephen Robinson’s aspect had their possibilities earlier than Dessers rose to go residence from James Tavernier’s cross in what might show a pivotal purpose in an thrilling title battle.

The outcome pulled Rangers degree with Celtic forward of their recreation at Dundee afterward Sunday, whereas St Mirren stay fifth as they chase a European place for subsequent season.

Rangers hold title problem alive

St Mirren nonetheless have a lot to play for after securing one other top-six end and created the primary likelihood of the sport as Jack Butland pulled off a great save to disclaim Mandron within the first minute.

John Lundstram tried his luck from the sting of the field for Rangers, however his curling effort was simply huge of the submit.

It was end-to-end and Mandron pressured Butland into one other save simply minutes later earlier than Zach Hemming was pressured into motion to disclaim Dessers.

Hemming reacted once more to maintain the sport degree as he stored out a Lundstram volley earlier than denying James Tavernier’s long-range strike.

St Mirren ought to have had a lead on the half-hour mark however Conor McMenaman fired over from shut vary and Rangers took benefit of that let-off by taking the lead simply moments later when Bolton put the ball into his personal internet.

Mohamed Diomande headed Borna Barisic’s cross again throughout purpose and Bolton received the final contact whereas Dessers closed in.

However St Mirren fought again and located themselves degree quickly after when a Mandron’s header hit the within the submit earlier than discovering the again of the web to make it 1-1.

And they need to have been in entrance simply earlier than half-time however Butland pulled off a terrific save to disclaim a close-range effort from Bolton in injury-time.

Either side had possibilities within the second half with Cantwell coming shut for Rangers and O’Hara for St Mirren.

Rangers began to dominate possession they usually took the lead once more via Dessers who struck from shut vary to make it 2-1.

Tavernier despatched a pinpoint cross to the again submit and the Nigeria ahead nodded it residence for his twentieth of the season with quarter-hour remaining.

Clement: It is nearly successful

Rangers supervisor Philippe Clement informed Sky Sports activities:

“You have to take the three points and we did.

“It is a troublesome place to return to, they don’t have anything to lose as their season is already successful they usually go full within the struggle.

“We get chances to score more, they get chances and Jack [Butland] saved a few good balls but at the end it’s about winning and we took the three points.

“I feel if you wish to win trophies you want a great goalkeeper and a great striker who scores sufficient targets.

“It’s not only Cyriel [Dessers] scoring goals but he’s already taken 20 so that’s a good amount. We’re not only focused on Cyriel scoring goals, he needs to do other things also.”

What’s subsequent?

Sunday fifth Might 12:00pm


Kick off 1:00pm

St Mirren return to motion on Might 4 at Dundee. Kick-off 3pm.

Rangers’ subsequent Scottish Premiership match is at residence to Kilmarnock on Might 5, dwell on Sky Sports activities. Kick-off 1pm.

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