Rangers played in an unusually subdued atmosphere of veiled discontent to beat William Hill Premiership bottom side St Johnstone 3-1 at Ibrox.
New Light Blues chief executive Patrick Stewart gave boss Philippe Clement the backing of the board on Saturday after pressure on the Belgian intensified following Thursday night’s 1-1 draw at Dundee, which further dented their title hopes.
The Rangers Supporters’ Association called for Clement’s sacking, while the Union Bears, Rangers’ ultras-style fan group, launched a walkout in the 55th minute which, paradoxically, was loudly booed by the remaining Gers fans, who had watched three goals in nine games. minutes in the first half of Hamza Igamane, Vaclav Cerny and Mohamed Diomande.
Saints defender Jack Sanders reduced the deficit in the 54th minute after the home side fell after long periods of silence from the stands.
The Govan side are 15 points behind leaders Celtic, but the title will almost certainly remain at Parkhead.
How Rangers beat St Johnstone
Clement’s problems were not helped by injuries to several key players, and once again there was an improvised look to his side.
Midfielder and stand-in captain Nicolas Raskin returned from suspension, while Brazilian forward Danilo was also brought back and 20-year-old defender Clinton Nsiala started his first game at Ibrox.
St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari was looking for a first win in nine games and made five changes.
Andy Fisher, the 26-year-old goalkeeper signed on loan from Swansea City, made his debut alongside defender Aaron Essel, midfielders Fran Franczak and Max Kucheriavyi and returning forward Mackenzie Kirk.
The buzz of conversation came from the Gers faithful amidst the silence of the usually rowdy Union Bears, who held up anti-board banners and chanted ‘sack the board’, although the rest of the stadium didn’t join in much.
Moments later, in the 16th minute, Diomande took a pass from Cerny and cut the ball to Igamane who knocked the ball into the Saints net from 12 meters out for his 12th goal of the season.
The stadium quickly fell into almost complete silence, but came alive again when Cerny ran onto Danilo’s through ball and slotted the ball past Fisher for his 12th since signing on loan from Wolfsburg.
When Sanders inexplicably headed Cerny’s cross into the air, Diomande was perfectly positioned to slot past Fisher and finally some chants fell from the stands, if only for a moment.
Cerny should have scored early in the second half, but Fisher easily kept out a weak shot before the untied visitors pulled one back.
Sanders headed in Kucheriavyi’s corner just before the Union Bears kicked off – the timing was symbolic of the club’s 55th and final win of 2021 – to boos from fellow fans.
Fisher did well to save a powerful attack from Gers defender Oscar Cortes, but the Perth men carried just as much threat in their sporadic forays, substitute Graham Carey testing Gers keeper Liam Kelly with a shot at his near post.
The final whistle brought applause. but these are uncertain times at Ibrox.
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