Rangers Score Three of Four Penalties In Route of St Mirren

Rangers returned home for the first time since the break with a bang, defeating St Mirren 4-0 behind Tavernier’s Brace

Rangers dispatched St Mirren with dominance in front of a sold out Ibrox on Saturday, earning four penalties, three of which were put in, and scoring once more from the field to finish it off.

The scoring got started early, as new arrival Jermaine Defoe was tripped up at the edge of the box while pursuing a loose ball to earn Rangers first penalty of the match. James Tavernier calmly stepped to the spot and slotted the ball into the right side of the net as the keeper guessed to the other side of the goal.

Rangers continued to largely control the game, earning several more opportunities but failing to capitalize and went into half-time up just 1-0. Ryan Kent, in particular, created several very close opportunities and was unfortunate not to convert on any of the attempts. The missed opportunities were highlighted by James Tavernier having a rare miss from the spot in the 24th minute after Defoe was once again tripped up while pursuing a loose ball.

Early in the second half, the scoring continued from the spot again. James Tavernier sent in a cross that hit St Mirren defender Greg Tansey in the arm, the call was initially a free-kick but then changed to a penalty as he was right on the edge of the box.

The Skipper made sure not to miss this one, punching the ball right down the center of the goal as the keeper dove to the side to make it 2-0 in favor of the home side.

Rangers kept up the attack but Morelos, Candeias, and Defoe all had great efforts stopped in a flurry of pressure.

The seal was broken from the penalty spot again in the 80th minute with an incredible 4th penalty attempt. Daniel Candeias made a burst into the box but was tripped up by the defense, this time Tavernier opted to allow new arrival Jermaine Defoe the chance and it worked out wonderfully as Defoe knocked it into the left side of the net while the keeper dove right. It was Defoe’s first goal at Ibrox.

Moments later Ryan Kent finally got a payoff for his wonderful play, Defoe streaked down the field and made an easy leade pass to Kent who flipped the ball over the keeper to make it 4-0 to Rangers.

It was a dominant showing from Rangers from start to finish and a well deserved three points.