Rangers Vs St.Johnstone

Rangers are set to welcome a struggling St Johnstone to Ibrox Stadium for a Scottish Premiership clash on Sunday evening. After suffering a devastating 4-1 defeat to Lyon in their previous outing, Rangers will be looking to regain momentum. With both teams facing contrasting circumstances, the upcoming fixture offers Rangers a prime opportunity to bounce back, while St Johnstone’s ongoing issues have only deepened after a torrid run of form.

Currently, Rangers sit third in the Scottish Premiership standings, having accumulated 13 points from six games, comprising four wins, one draw, and one loss. Despite being in a relatively strong position, they remain five points adrift of their Old Firm rivals, Celtic. Meanwhile, St Johnstone finds themselves languishing near the bottom of the table, occupying 10th place with only four points after seven matches. Their record of one win, one draw, and five losses paints a bleak picture for the Saints, who will need to pull off a significant upset to overcome their hosts at Ibrox.

Match Preview: Rangers Seeking Redemption and Revival

Rangers' recent history in the Scottish Premiership has been a tale of highs and lows. Their monumental triumph in the 2020-21 season, when they amassed 102 points and went undefeated under then-manager Steven Gerrard, is still fresh in the minds of their supporters. However, that incredible campaign has been followed by a series of disappointments. In the three seasons since, Rangers have consistently fallen short of challenging Celtic’s dominance, with each passing year seeing the gap between the two clubs widen.

In 2021-22, Rangers finished four points behind Celtic, despite their strong push in the title race. The following year, that gap grew to seven points, and in the 2023-24 season, Rangers trailed their Glasgow rivals by eight points. This decline has been a cause of frustration for the Ibrox faithful, who are desperate for their side to close the gap and bring the title back to the blue half of the city.

Philippe Clement, who took the managerial reins at Rangers in October 2023, has been tasked with the job of revitalizing the club and leading them back to the summit of Scottish football. The Belgian arrived with a solid reputation after successful spells with Genk and Club Brugge in his homeland, where he won multiple league titles. His appointment was seen as a statement of intent from the Rangers hierarchy, but Clement’s first full season in charge has been far from smooth sailing.

The start of the 2024-25 campaign has been particularly challenging for Clement. Rangers won just one of their first four league games, which included a painful defeat to Celtic in the first Old Firm derby of the season. However, Clement’s side has shown signs of recovery in recent weeks, winning six of their next eight matches across all competitions. Their victories include important league wins over teams like Aberdeen and Hibernian, as well as a solid showing in the UEFA Europa League group stages.

Nevertheless, Rangers’ recent 4-1 defeat to Lyon in the Europa League has raised concerns about their consistency, especially against high-quality opposition. The match saw Rangers outplayed in nearly every aspect, leaving Clement with much to ponder ahead of the St Johnstone game. The Belgian coach will be eager to get his side back to winning ways, and there is no better opportunity to do so than against a struggling opponent.

Rangers’ Strengths: A Team in Transition

One of the key challenges for Rangers this season has been finding balance in their performances. Clement has experimented with various tactical setups, but it is evident that the squad is still adapting to his style of play. Rangers have demonstrated their attacking prowess in several matches, scoring 14 goals in their six league fixtures, with key players like Todd Cantwell, Danilo, and Sam Lammers stepping up at different times.

Cantwell, in particular, has been a standout performer since joining the club from Norwich City in January 2023. The English midfielder brings creativity and flair to Rangers' attack, often playing in an advanced role just behind the striker. His vision, combined with his ability to score important goals, makes him a crucial figure in Clement’s plans.

However, despite their offensive capabilities, Rangers have been vulnerable defensively at times. The defeat to Lyon exposed weaknesses in their backline, with the French side exploiting gaps in Rangers' defensive organization. Clement will need to address these issues if they are to challenge Celtic for the title this season.

Rangers’ home form will also be a crucial factor in their pursuit of success. Ibrox Stadium has long been a fortress for the Gers, and the passionate home support often provides the team with a significant advantage. This season, Rangers have won three of their four home league games, with their only defeat coming against Celtic. A victory over St Johnstone on Sunday would not only boost their confidence but also help keep the pressure on Celtic at the top of the table.

St Johnstone’s Struggles: A Club in Crisis

While Rangers will be looking to regain their footing, St Johnstone find themselves in the midst of a crisis. The Perth-based club has endured a dreadful start to the season, and their current form has left them teetering near the relegation zone. With just four points from their first seven games, the Saints are in desperate need of a turnaround if they are to avoid a prolonged relegation battle.

St Johnstone’s recent results have been nothing short of disastrous. They are winless in their last six matches, a run that includes five defeats and one draw. Among these losses was a humiliating 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Celtic, a result that ultimately led to the sacking of manager Craig Levein. The heavy defeat underscored the club’s defensive frailties, with St Johnstone having conceded 19 goals in their opening seven matches—an average of nearly three goals per game.

In the wake of Levein’s dismissal, interim boss Andy Kirk has been tasked with steadying the ship, but his tenure has been marked by further struggles. St Johnstone’s lack of firepower upfront has also been a major concern, with the team scoring just six goals so far this season. Their inability to create and convert chances has placed immense pressure on the defense, which has been unable to cope with the demands of top-flight football.

However, there may be a glimmer of hope for the Saints. The appointment of Simo Valakari as the club’s new head coach has brought a fresh sense of optimism. Valakari, who previously managed Latvian side Riga FC, is known for his tactical acumen and ability to get the best out of limited resources. The Finnish coach has a reputation for building organized, hard-working teams, and St Johnstone will be hoping he can inspire an immediate turnaround in their fortunes.

Valakari faces a daunting task in his first game in charge, with a trip to Ibrox representing one of the most difficult fixtures in the Scottish Premiership. However, the new manager will be eager to make a positive first impression, and his arrival could provide the players with the motivation they need to produce a shock result.

Key Players to Watch

For Rangers, Todd Cantwell will once again be the player to watch. The 26-year-old midfielder has been a central figure in their attacking play this season, contributing with goals and assists from midfield. His ability to dictate the tempo of the game and unlock opposition defenses makes him a key asset in Clement’s system. Alongside Cantwell, forward Danilo has shown glimpses of his potential, with the Brazilian striker keen to add to his goal tally in what could be a favorable matchup against a struggling St Johnstone defense.

At the other end of the pitch, defenders such as James Tavernier and Ben Davies will need to be more vigilant. Tavernier, the Rangers captain, remains a vital figure in both attack and defense, but the backline as a whole will need to tighten up if they are to avoid another setback like the Lyon defeat.

For St Johnstone, much will depend on how Valakari sets up his team. The Saints are likely to adopt a more defensive approach, aiming to frustrate Rangers and hit them on the counterattack. Winger Drey Wright could be a key outlet for the visitors, using his pace to exploit any spaces left by Rangers' full-backs. Additionally, the experience of goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov will be crucial if St Johnstone are to withstand the inevitable pressure from Rangers’ attack.

Prediction: A Comfortable Win for Rangers?

All signs point to a comprehensive victory for Rangers. While their recent defeat to Lyon may have dented confidence, they possess the firepower and quality to overcome a St Johnstone side that is in disarray. With Clement eager to maintain momentum in the league, Rangers are expected to dominate possession and create plenty of scoring opportunities.

St Johnstone, on the other hand, will need to produce a near-perfect defensive performance to keep the scoreline respectable. The appointment of Valakari adds an element of unpredictability, but it is difficult to see the Saints leaving Ibrox with anything other than a defeat.

Final Score Prediction: Rangers 3-0 St Johnstone.