St Johnstone 0 - 2 Rangers: First blood for relieved McCoist

ALLY McCoist confessed to feeling "a little bit of relief", and it's easy to understand why. This wasn't a performance where the countless questions being asked of Rangers under the ownership of Craig Whyte and the guidance of Ally McCoist were emphatically resolved - in fact the need for answers was just as desperate after this match as it was before. But, at least the first win of the season is on the board.

No manager in Rangers' history had failed to win at least one of their first three competitive matches at the helm. Having gone into the club record books for so many of the right reasons as a player, McCoist did not fancy the ignominy of that record.

Yet the constraints on his squad meant that the side which he sent out was top heavy with defensive-minded players and there was still a stark paucity of creativity across the midfield. It had been an issue against Malmo through the week and with McCoist still waiting for the money men to deliver any of the midfielders or strikers on his wish-list, the same problems pestered Rangers.

• St Johnstone v Rangers in pictures

• Get the latest football news on Facebook and Twitter

• Rangers refuse to give up on David Goodwillie as Blackburn deal hits a snag

• Rangers v Malmo: Ally McCoist hoping for Swede dreams as Rangers look to end 55 years of hurt

• Rangers v Malmo: Boot now on other foot for Adrian Mrowiec

News that Blackburn Rovers look favourites to sign David Goodwillie, despite a late snag, will not have pleased the Rangers manager, who will have to quickly switch his attentions. He recognises the need for a goal-getter to partner Nikica Jelavic and while Steven Naismith has tried to fill that void, his presence is urgently required elsewhere in the side.

Yesterday the pair of them carried the team manfully, their movement and clever interplay a crucial factor in the chances that came their way. Jelavic was the man who won the 30th-minute free-kick which was delivered on to Naismith's napper by Lee Wallace, the bulleted header leaving Peter Enckelman as a bystander and giving Rangers the lead.

That seemed to settle the nerves and when the pair combined in the 50th minute, Steven Davis's break forward was rewarded with the second, decisive goal, as Naismith took possession and threaded it through to Jelavic who held off Calum Davidson to send a low strike into the net.

It was the point of no return for St Johnstone, who had enjoyed a lot of possession, without cultivating enough clear-cut cracks at goal.

Their strength is across the midfield where there is a cohesive and balanced unit. But ahead of them there was no one sharp enough to test Allan McGregor. St Johnstone boss Derek McInnes believes that will change as soon as his new faces get some match sharpness.It will have to because they won't fancy another year of hopefully prospecting for goals.

McCoist did try to jig things around in a bid to ensure there was some invention in the heart of the midfield, switching Maurice Edu out wide right and asking Davis to pull the strings in the middle of the park.

But Rangers now need to start winning some of the bidding wars. Den Haag winger Wesley Verhoek would seem an ideal addition and is keen to come to Scotland, but Whyte will need to pledge more of his money to make it happen. The Dutch side are after 2 million and Rangers are currently well shy of that tally.

As it was, Edu was entrusted with one flank. Sasa Papac, pushed forward to accommodate Lee Wallace at left back, occupied the other. Neither was a rich source of wicked crosses or fruitful foraging. But physically they were a force to be reckoned with.

McInnes referred to them as "the land of giants", with debutant Dorin Goian adding his height to the equation. McCoist is hopeful he may be able to play the defender on Wednesday night after issues with his registration have been resolved.

"We have a chance because the boys at the SPL have been great helping us and I think UEFA have batted it back to the SFA so obviously you would hope the SFA would do everything they could.

"The main thing today was getting back on the road to victory.

"We can take encouragement from today's performance and the chances we created in the second half against Malmo on Tuesday."

Happier, even if the balance of the side doesn't look quite right. "The one thing we had to do was start the game better than the previous two and I think we did that, we looked sharper and we looked stronger, especially in that opening period.

"I thought we were positive and when we had the opportunity to put the ball into the box we did."

Jelavic had an early header saved, while Juan Ortiz and Gregg Wylde had efforts late on. But the crucial goals had been scored by then.

But there will be better teams than St Johnstone to play and others who will make things even stodgier.

On those occasions Rangers will require more guile. And for that Rangers will require to stump up more cash to land the men McCoist needs.

ST JOHNSTONE

Enckelman

Mackay

Anderson

Wright

C Davidson

Moon

M Davidson

Morris

Robertson (59)

Haber

Sheridan (59)

Subs used

Millar (59)

Finnigan (59)

RANGERS

McGregor

Whittaker

Bougherra

Goian

Wallace

Edu (82)

Davis

McCulloch (79)

Papac

Naismith

Jelavic

Subs used

Ortiz (79)

Wylde (82)

MAN OF THE MATCH

Nikica Jelavic (Rangers)

Always available, offering midfield and strike partner perfect link-up option.

TALKING POINT

Will Dorin Goian get the go-ahead from the authorities to face Malmo?

Referee: A Muir. Attendance: 6,459