Rangers 2-0 St Mirren: Abdallah Sima to fore as Philippe Clement’s side prevail

Abdallah Sima’s double ensured Rangers remain eight points behind Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic with a lackluster win over St Mirren.

Victory means Philippe Clement’s side avoid falling further behind Celtic, who came from behind in the second half to beat St Johnstone earlier in the day.

St Mirren, whose rare lapses in defensive concentration were punished, stayed in fourth after Hearts moved ahead of them on Saturday.

If Clement was hoping for a rapid response to Thursday’s disappointing draw with Aris Limassol, he was certainly left wanting as his side labored through much of the first half.

The first moment that really caught the eye came from St Mirren’s Caolan Boyd-Munce, who forced Jack Butland to come to Rangers’ rescue again as he clawed away a curling effort.

Just as the boos were about to be released around Ibrox with the interval looming, the hosts’ first bit of real interplay prized an opening.

Cyriel Dessers fed Todd Cantwell, who drifted toward goal without any real sense of how to use the ball. His indecision was not mirrored by Sima, who stole the ball off his team-mate’s boot to slam home emphatically.

The second half was similarly strained for the hosts, who failed to find a spark as the visitors kept their shape.

That was until Cantwell finally came alive to unleash a defense-splitting pass into the path of Sima, who kept his nerve to slot beyond Zach Hemming and wrap up a much-needed win.

Player of the match – Abdallah Sima (Rangers)

Cantwell confused as Rangers find a way – analysis

Clement said in his pre-match interview he was looking for the right mentality and personality in response to that midweek display at home to Cypriot opposition.

In terms of grinding out a win, the Rangers manager got what he was after as his side found a way over the line despite a lack of imagination across the 90 minutes.

The spotlight was on Cantwell after his early substitution on Thursday, and for much of the 90 minutes, he again flattered to disappoint.

But his gorgeous assist for Sima’s second is a pass few players in the Premiership would be capable of pulling off, emphasizing the enigma that Rangers have on their hands.

St Mirren were looking for a response, too, after falling short earlier in the week. Analyzing the two performances in context, Stephen Robinson may well be more pleased with his team’s Govan showing than Tuesday’s display in Dingwall.

They showed the qualities that propelled them to such an impressive start in the league, putting themselves about and sticking to a clear game plan.

Games at Ibrox likely won’t determine their season, but after Hearts took third from them on Saturday, their record of two wins in nine needs addressed urgently if they’re to keep pace against their more stocked competitors.

What’s next?

Rangers travel to Edinburgh to face Hearts at Tynecastle on Wednesday (20:00 GMT), while St Mirren go to Perth to take on St Johnstone (19:45)