Rangers 2 - 1 St Johnstone: Prolific Kenny Miller hit a half ton

Published on Friday 27 August 2010 19:11

THE story was supposed to be the newcomers Valdimir Weiss and Nikica Jelavic, but such has been Kenny Miller's start to this season that he left the field having ensured his share of the headlines. His 78th-minute goal was his 50th for Rangers and his fifth in three SPL matches so far this season. It also secured Rangers their third win in three.

• Danny Grainger strikes to give St Johnstone a shock lead at Ibrox. Photograph: SNS

It was a controversial one according to St Johnstone, who felt he had barged his marker to give himself the space needed to net. But it stood and allowed him to maintain his incredible early-season form.

Rangers made a few changes to the team, giving Vladimir Weiss his first start following his impressive showing at Easter Road last weekend. He replaced the suspended Kyle Lafferty. Lee McCulloch was also preferred to Maurice Edu in the middle of the park, but there was no place in the initial XI for latest recruit Nikica Jelavic. There was still a warm reception for the former Rapid Vienna player when his name was read out before the match and every time he ventured out of the technical area to warm up. And when he made his entrance into the match in the 67th minute, the reception was euphoric.

St Johnstone were glad to have the services of captain Jody Morris, who had been doubtful with a hamstring niggle, but were without goalkeeper Peter Enckelman, who was not fully fit. He was replaced by Graeme Smith.

The former Rangers keeper was involved early on as the home side tried to capitalise on a free-kick positioned not too far out. It was Sasa Papac who struck a strong left-foot shot low towards the bottom corner, but Smith got down to collect.

The Bosnian was the man that the visitors had to watch. Not renowned for his goals, he only netted twice last season but both of them had been against the Perth side. One of them was a consolation effort the night Saints stunned the league champions 4-1.

The biggest worry Saints would have was smothering the enthusiasm of Weiss and Naismith on the flanks, with the recent signing showing great verve when it came to running at defenders.

St Johnstone were competing well and attempting to get a decent foothold in the game, but their cause was undermined when both Murray Davidson and Marcus Haber challenged Steven Davis for a header in the 18th minute, clashing with each other.The former came off worst and, with his neck in a brace, he was carried off on a stretcher and was replaced by young Liam Caddis, who took Chris Millar's place on the right wing, as the former Celtic starlet moved into the central berth.

It did not disrupt the visitors' pattern of play too much, and although Weiss had another effort on goal, closing in before sending his shot between Steven Anderson and Michael Duberry, it was the guests who opened the scoring. A well-drilled set piece saw Morris rifle it low and deep for the in-rushing Danny Grainger to strike beautifully and leather into the back of Allan McGregor's net. It was a reminder that Saints surpassed expectations in their return to the SPL last season.

An open game at that stage, Papac was booked for scything down Haber at the other end, but the defender went into the notebook for a far more positive contribution minutes later. With 33 minutes gone, it was a Naismith header at the back post which was intilly blocked by Smith, but spun across the face of goal to the incoming Papac. Although Kevin Rutkiewicz tried to lunge for it on the line he only succeeding in aiding it's passage.

All level once more, it was decent portrayal of the match as a whole, but that is when Rangers started to up the ante. Beattie started making a pest of himself and then Anderson had to produce a quality tackle on Naismith in the box as Rangers sought the half-time advantage.

But St Johnstone are a stubborn as well as gifted outfit and after Bougherra sent an effort wide, they battled to make it to half time unscathed.

The sceond half was a tough one for them as Rangers maintained the pressure and there were a couple of appeals for penalties, Rangers claiming for handball against Alan Maybury. Referee Callum Murray refused to grant them a spot kick on either occasion. McCulloch had a shot which screamed just wide and a curling inswinger from Whittaker had to be punched clear by Smith.

Then came Jelavic's cameo. His first invlovement came just seconds after he entered the fray. Miller's square ball just evaded him, but he managed to retrieve it and crossed into a central area for Naismith headed staright at Smith.

As Rangers strived to assert their advantage and Saints tried to repel them the match took on a bit of an edge. While Rangers raged at missing out on the handball decisions, McInnes accused Madjid Bougherra of diving. It was all getting niggly and whether it was that or the introduction of Cleveland Taylor for Collin Samuel, Saints engineered their first real chance of the second half. The sub playing the ball across the face of goal in the 77th minute but McGregor managing to dive out and claim it.

Then came the winner. The ball was played in for Miller and he managed to roll Maybury before clamly slotting past Smith.It was the sign of a man buoyant on confidence and with the international games looming, it will now be a case of carrying that into the matches against Lithuania and Lichtenstein.

Saints tried to get one back, throwing on another striker Scott Dobbie but there was a spirit evident in the play of both teams. This was a match that meant something. For Rangers it meant more - all three points.