Rangers Triumph Over St Johnstone, Despite Hagi's Heartbreaking Red Card
In a crucial Scottish Premiership clash at Ibrox, Rangers secured a much-needed victory against St Johnstone, marking their third consecutive league win under the guidance of Philippe Clement. This victory came as a relief after their midweek Europa League loss to Lyon, and while it wasn't always smooth sailing, it was a result Rangers fans could be happy with.
The game started with a sense of urgency from Rangers, as they aimed to make a strong statement before the international break. Jack Butland retained his position in goal, while the defense featured James Tavernier, Robin Propper, John Souttar, and Jefte. In midfield, Nico Raskin and Mohamed Diomande worked tirelessly, with Nedim Bajrami playing a more advanced role to support the attacking trio of Cyriel Dessers, Vaclav Cerny, and Ross McCausland.
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From the beginning, Rangers pressed hard, and Cyriel Dessers had an early chance to put them ahead, but his header from a Tavernier cross missed the mark. It wasn't long, though, before Rangers found their breakthrough. Eleven minutes before halftime, Vaclav Cerny scored a beautifully placed goal, curling the ball into the bottom corner after cutting inside from the wing.
Rangers doubled their lead just before the hour mark, with Ianis Hagi making an immediate impact after coming off the bench. In his first appearance of the season, Hagi delivered a clever pass to Cerny, who slotted home his second of the night, giving Rangers a comfortable 2-0 lead.
However, Hagi’s return to the first team took a dramatic turn late in the game. The Romanian international, eager to make a mark, was shown a straight red card after a late challenge on St Johnstone’s Benjamin Kimpioka. Despite his immediate apology, VAR intervened, and after a brief review, referee David Dickinson sent Hagi off. Clearly emotional, Hagi left the pitch in tears, his joy at being back on the field quickly turning into heartbreak.
Despite being down to 10 men, Rangers held their nerve for the remaining minutes. St Johnstone attempted to capitalize on the situation, with Nicky Clark even finding the net late on, only for his goal to be ruled offside. Rangers also had a few chances to further extend their lead, with Neraysho Kasanwirjo’s powerful long-range effort forcing a great save from St Johnstone goalkeeper Ross Sinclair.
Overall, it was a night of mixed emotions for Rangers. While the win was vital in their pursuit of domestic success, Hagi’s red card cast a shadow over the final moments. Still, Clement and his side will take confidence from their performance and the continued improvement they’ve shown, with hopes of maintaining momentum after the international break.
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