Rangers Dominant in 5-1 Victory over St. Johnstone

Rangers returned to Scottish Premiership play with a rousing victory over St. Johnstone on Sunday. Rangers finished the game up 5 – 1 with five different goal-scorers. It was likely the best league performance of the young season for Rangers, as the dominant victory against Dundee gets an asterisk for the fact that Dundee is utterly terrible.

Captain James Tavernier got the scoring started for Rangers by nailing an absolute banger into the upper corner on a free kick just outside of the box. The ball just cleared over the goal and past the outstretched arm of the goalkeeper. The goal is yet another in the long list of impressive place kicks from Tavernier and he very nearly added another latter in the game but it went off the crossbar.

Rangers continued to largely dominate play and added a second goal in the 34th-minute courtesy of Alfredo Morelos. Morelos was out against Villareal serving his suspension after receiving a red card against FC Ufa and he looked very fresh.

Rangers went into half-time with a very comfortable 2-0 lead. Coming out for the second half St Johnstone opened themselves up a bit in an effort to draw closer. Rangers took full advantage as Scott Arfield made it 3-0 in just the 52nd minute. After a Ryan Kent shot was deflected away from the goal it found Arfield’s feet inside the box and he slotted it comfortably into the net.

The onslaught continued in the 74th minute as the newly inserted Kyle Lafferty netted his 4th goal of the season with Rangers.

St Johnstone would ruin the clean sheet as Arfield made a poor tackle on Blair Alstone in the penalty box which resulted in a penalty kick. Alstone pounded the ball into the net with ease to put a slight damper on the afternoon route.

Rangers did not settle from there however, they responded to their allowed goal by scoring another themselves just a few minutes later as Daniel Candeias got his first goal of the season in the 79th minute.

Rangers got a little bit sloppy in the last 10 minutes of the match, but other than that it was total and complete dominance from the boys in blue. Scott Arfield continues to make great use of his extra run and is making a good case to stay the regular starter even once Ryan Jack returns from injury. Ryan Kent also had a brilliant game once again as he was a terror for the St. Johnstone defenders.

Rangers have a quick turnaround as they play Ayr United in a cup match on Wednesday.