Rangers Secure 4-0 Victory Over St Johnstone, Narrowing Celtic’s Lead

Rangers defeated St Johnstone 4-0 at Ibrox in a Scottish Premiership fixture. Kevin Kelsy opened the scoring in the first half after a Ryan Naderi assist, and added a second goal early in the second half. Ryan Naderi scored the second goal, and substitute Tochi Chukwuani completed the tally with a late finish. A straight red card was shown to St Johnstone substitute Kai Fotheringham for a high challenge on midfielder Nico Raskin. The win moved Rangers one point behind league leaders Celtic.

The Guardian

Celtic entered the weekend with a four-point advantage over Rangers. The result kept Rangers within striking distance, with Celtic set to travel to Hibernian later on Sunday. Rangers’ next league match is against Hearts at Tynecastle, a venue where manager Derek McInnes noted his side had previously been unbeaten.

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• Expected goals: Rangers 4.57, St Johnstone 0.58.

Rangers 4-0 St Johnstone: Kevin Kelsy scores two, with Ryan Naderi and Tochi Chukwuani also on target as Rangers cut Celtic’s lead at the top

• Shots: Rangers 21 total, nine on target; St Johnstone two on target.

Rangers 4-0 St Johnstone: Kevin Kelsy scores two, with Ryan Naderi and Tochi Chukwuani also on target as Rangers cut Celtic’s lead at the top

• Big chances created: Rangers eight, St Johnstone two.

Rangers 4-0 St Johnstone: Kevin Kelsy scores two, with Ryan Naderi and Tochi Chukwuani also on target as Rangers cut Celtic’s lead at the top

• Corners: Rangers forced 13, converting one from a corner for Kelsy’s second goal – the first corner-derived goal for Rangers this season.

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• Substitutes: Tochi Chukwuani added the fourth goal; the red-carded Fotheringham reduced St Johnstone to ten men for the final 19 minutes.

Rangers 4-0 St Johnstone: Kevin Kelsy scores two, with Ryan Naderi and Tochi Chukwuani also on target as Rangers cut Celtic’s lead at the top

He highlighted the need to translate first-half dominance into goals, noting that the side created many opportunities before halftime. Halliday, commenting on set-piece effectiveness, observed that Rangers had struggled to convert corners this season until the recent goal, and suggested that improving delivery could add another dimension to their attack.

Rangers 4-0 St Johnstone: Kevin Kelsy scores two, with Ryan Naderi and Tochi Chukwuani also on target as Rangers cut Celtic’s lead at the top

• “One of Rangers' main strengths from last season was set-pieces,” — Halliday

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• “I had a brilliant time there and I know how difficult the fixture is for any opposition going to Tynecastle,” — Derek McInnes, sports rangers manager

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Rangers travel to Tynecastle to face Hearts on Wednesday, seeking to close the gap on Celtic. Celtic will meet Hibernian in Edinburgh on Sunday, with the outcome set to influence the championship race.

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