Rangers secured their third consecutive Scottish Premiership victory with a hard-fought 2-0 win over St Johnstone, thanks to a stunning brace from Vaclav Cerny. The Czech forward’s goals, scored either side of half-time, ensured the Ibrox club continued their positive run of form, despite Ianis Hagi’s late red card tarnishing what could have been a perfect night.
Hagi, who was making his first appearance since last August, played a crucial role in the match by assisting Cerny’s second goal. However, his evening came to a bitter end when a high challenge on St Johnstone’s Adama Sidibeh resulted in a yellow card that was later upgraded to red following a VAR review. Despite the setback, Rangers managed to hold on to their lead and finish the game with three valuable points.
Cerny’s Brilliance Seals the Points
Vaclav Cerny was the standout performer of the night, proving to be the game-changer for Rangers. His first goal came just before half-time, a moment of individual brilliance that helped break the deadlock in what had been a tense and evenly matched first half. St Johnstone had shown attacking intent, particularly on the counter, and Rangers were often stretched defensively. However, Cerny’s moment of magic provided the breakthrough that the Ibrox side desperately needed.
The Czech forward, who has been in excellent form this season, showed his class again early in the second half. This time, he was on the end of an expertly crafted pass from Hagi, calmly slotting the ball past St Johnstone’s goalkeeper to double Rangers’ lead. Cerny’s performance was not just about his goals, though. His movement off the ball and ability to create space for his teammates were pivotal in Rangers maintaining their dominance, particularly in the final third.
St Johnstone’s Threats and Resilient Defense
While the final scoreline may suggest a straightforward victory for Rangers, St Johnstone posed several problems for the home side, especially during transitions. Their attacking play, particularly in counter-attacking situations, kept Rangers’ defense on their toes throughout the match. In the early stages, Rangers struggled to contain St Johnstone’s pace and direct approach, with the visitors looking dangerous whenever they surged forward.
Rangers’ defense, marshaled by captain James Tavernier, had to work hard to withstand St Johnstone’s pressure, especially in the first half. However, with Cerny’s first goal just before the break, the momentum shifted, and Rangers were able to take more control of the game in the second half.
Despite St Johnstone’s efforts, they could not find the finishing touch to capitalize on their opportunities. Rangers’ defense remained resolute, and goalkeeper Jack Butland had little to do as the game wore on. Ultimately, St Johnstone’s lack of cutting edge in the final third proved to be their downfall, and Cerny’s clinical finishing made all the difference.
Hagi’s Return: A Night of Mixed Emotions
The return of Ianis Hagi was one of the major talking points leading up to the game. The Romanian playmaker, who had not featured for Rangers since last August due to a contractual issue, was introduced at half-time to great anticipation from the Ibrox faithful. Hagi’s creativity and vision were evident almost immediately, as he quickly got involved in the build-up play and set up Cerny’s second goal with a perfectly weighted pass.
However, what started as a promising comeback ended in disappointment for Hagi. In the 85th minute, a rash challenge on Adama Sidibeh saw him receive a yellow card. But after a lengthy VAR check, the decision was upgraded to a red card, leaving Rangers down to 10 men for the final minutes of the match.
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