Rangers improved on last season’s first league game after the winter break by taking all three points in a 1-0 victory against a St Mirren side that did little more than “park two buses” in front of their goal.
Much of the talk pre-match was about the selection of Jon Flanagan over Nathan Patterson but despite having a solid enough game, he did little more than remind Rangers fans of the importance of injured skipper, James Tavernier, to the Ibrox side’s attack.
The solitary goal came from the rejuvenated Borna Barisic’s left foot providing the ammunition for Jermain Defoe to prod home from the six yard line. Rangers huffed and puffed with Scott Arfield, Ryan Kent and Defoe all having chances to extend the lead but were unable to make their dominance count.
Were you disappointed with how Rangers played against St Mirren?
Yes
No
Fans of the Light Blues took to Twitter – more in relief than anything else – as getting the three points now takes priority in the title run-in.
Thank god ,3 points main thing anyway
— Ainsley Boyd🎃 (@ainsley14_boyd) January 22, 2020
3 points pic.twitter.com/AkHF3GS45o
— P.F (@PF_86) January 22, 2020
That was a tough viewing, but 3 points is big.
— Dave (@Nimsay1872) January 22, 2020
Grinding it out tonight, but 3 points in the bag WATP!
— John Don ❤🇬🇧, 👎🇪🇺. (@JohnDon71901088) January 22, 2020
Lovely 3 points is the only thing that matters
— FiN (@FinCFC) January 22, 2020
I’ll take the ugly win. Just dont make it a habit.
— Ryan Walker 🇬🇧🏴 (@RyanWal59543002) January 22, 2020
Rangers fans will want to see a return to the more incisive attacking play when they travel to Tynecastle to take on Hearts at the weekend, but as Gerrard said in his post-match interview, getting the three points will always be the number one aim.