The pressure on Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst increased as St Johnstone produced one of the narrow football scores of the weekend in the Sottish Premiership. After missing their early opportunities, the Ibrox team now trails Celtic in the Scottish Premiership title race by seven points. They applied a lot of pressure in the first half, but the hosts took the lead at the break thanks to a remarkable James Brown strike, which Nicky Clark later doubled. They were unable to score an equalizer as John Lundstram’s effort hit the underside of the bar before James Tavernier scored in the 74th minute.
Rangers made a good start to the game, and in the sixth minute, after Tavernier’s cross, Elliot Parish had to save Malik Tillman’s effort from a close angle. Soon after, Parish dove low to his left to tip a good Lundstram shot around the post for a corner, saving the home team. Antonio Colak, who was put through on goal by Tillman in the 11th minute, should have performed much better, but veteran Perth defender Andrew Considine made sure the Croatian striker did not have a shot on goal. Gers winger Fashion Sakala jumped above defender Adam Montgomery to head a Borna Barisic corner off the crossbar as the attack on the St Johnstone goal persisted.
When Saints striker Stevie May’s attempt from the edge of the box was pushed out to Brown, Brown thundered a drive high past Gers goalkeeper Allan McGregor for a historic goal. Rangers still had a chance to take control, but that opportunity was missed. The second half was extended by 45 minutes because Rangers gave up the opening goal for the third straight league game, but the Ibrox team was far from convincing. In the 56th minute, Ryan Kent launched a long shot that Parish easily saved, but it was evident that the home team had gained confidence.
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