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Kemar Roofe scored his ninth goal in as many starts for the Rangers to send Steven Gerrard’s men on their way to a 3-0 win over St Johnstone in Perth.
The former Leeds and Anderlecht forward was the weekend’s hero, as his double helped rescue the Rangers from defeat to Motherwell.
And it followed with the opener at McDiarmid Park as the Light Blues achieved their 25th win in all competitions this season.
Glen Kamara added a well-crafted second goal before Ianis Hagi scored his first league start in two months with the third just after halftime, as Gerrard’s side maintained their 16-point lead atop the Premiership afterward. to reach the midpoint.
A miserable night for the third bottom Saints, who have now gone six games without a win, was complicated in the 83rd minute when substitute Michael O’Halloran was sent off just five minutes after coming in when he got two quick cautions.
Saints boss Callum Davidson refreshed his team after Saturday’s loss to St Mirren by remembering Callum Booth, Shaun Rooney, Craig Bryson and Chris Kane.
Gerrard promoted Joe Aribo and Hagi from the bench as he rewarded their role in reversing the Rangers’ weekend clash with Well, but Alfredo Morelos started among the substitutes upon his return from suspension.
In days gone by, the Colombian could always hope to return directly to the team regardless of his latest indiscretion, such was his confidence in him.
But times have changed now, with Roofe on his way to establishing himself as the main man at Ibrox.
However, the Rangers almost got into trouble at first. There was no sign the Saints were copying Motherwell’s 5-5-0 ultra-defensive setup from the weekend, as they set out to pressure the leaders instead.
The Rangers almost got caught a few times with a few square balls, including one example in just the third minute when Kamara threw the ball directly at David Wotherspoon, forcing Connor Goldson and Filip Helander to step in to quell danger.
The Rangers had been forced to earn the right to play, but having gone toe-to-toe with the Saints, they changed gears and took the opener in the 24th minute.
Ryan Kent beat Craig Conway to push off a loose pass from James Tavernier. While the Saints complained about a foul, the Rangers ran forward with Kamara before the ball was sent to Hagi. The Romanian spoiled on a low left foot shot, but Zander Clark’s save left the ball on a plate for Roofe to hit.
That was the Rangers’ first shot on goal and they struck again with the second thanks to a class moment from Aribo.
The Nigerian regained possession midway into the St Johnstone half with a Steven Davis header before measuring a sublime pass through the smallest of gaps in the hosts’ defense, leaving Kamara, who was rushing to nudge Clark nonchalantly.
The Saints made a double trade at halftime when Murray Davidson and Conway were replaced by Stevie May and Ali McCann.
But it made no difference to Gerrard’s men, who struck again within 90 seconds of the restart.
Aribo was the instigator again, driving forward before sliding into Roofe. Rooney got into a block to avoid the forward’s effort, but Clark couldn’t get his feet in order and got into horrible trouble when Hagi’s fierce punch ricocheted off his ankles before crossing the line.
May came close to giving her team a lifeline as she sprinted past the static Helander into Kane’s fast move, but there was no way to get past Allan McGregor as the keeper made a fantastic one-handed save.
O’Halloran was introduced after 77 minutes by Danny McNamara, but was soon back down the tunnel as he followed a soft yellow for a jerk on fellow substitute Morelos with another yellow flag 60 seconds later when he collided with Borna Barisic.
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