The Scottish Premiership rarely lacks drama, and once again the narrative surrounding Rangers intensified after a tense 1-1 draw against St Mirren at the SMiSA Stadium. For Rangers, the dropped points felt like another bump in a campaign that has been uneven, frustrating, and at times disjointed. While the Gers still sit near the top of the table, every setback is magnified by the weight of expectation, and this match underlined just how fragile their situation remains.
In contrast, St Mirren could walk away with their heads held high. Once more, Stephen Robinson’s men proved that they are no pushovers, especially against Scotland’s giants. The Saints worked tirelessly to frustrate Rangers, defended resolutely, and when the chance came, they punished the lapses of their visitors. The hero of the night was young Findlay Curtis, whose equaliser late in the match sent the home fans into a frenzy and deepened the questions swirling around Rangers manager Russell Martin.
First Half Rangers Dominate but Fail to Kill the Game
From the opening whistle, Rangers looked intent on asserting themselves. The Gers dominated possession, probing patiently against a St Mirren side set up to absorb pressure and strike on the counter. Martin’s men moved the ball crisply across the midfield, with John Lundstram dictating tempo and James Tavernier offering his usual attacking thrust from right-back.
In the 20th minute, Rangers got their breakthrough. Cyriel Dessers, who has been under scrutiny for his inconsistent finishing, finally showed composure. A perfectly timed through-ball from Todd Cantwell split the defence, and Dessers slotted calmly past Zach Hemming. The early goal seemed to set the tone, and many in the away end might have expected Rangers to kick on and seal the match comfortably.
But that clinical edge never arrived. Chances fell to both Sam Lammers and Abdallah Sima, yet both failed to convert. Each miss seemed to embolden St Mirren, who gradually began to grow into the game. By halftime, the scoreline remained 1-0, and Rangers were left ruing their inability to turn dominance into a decisive cushion.
St Mirren’s Resilience
For St Mirren, the first half had been more about containment than creativity. Their backline, marshalled by Declan Gallagher, threw themselves into challenges, while Mark O’Hara’s midfield work rate ensured Rangers never had it entirely their way.
Stephen Robinson’s tactical setup was clear: keep the game tight, frustrate the Gers, and look for a moment to strike back. The longer the second half went on, the more belief crept into the Saints’ play.
Rangers’ Missed Chances Come Back to Haunt Them
Football is often cruel in its simplicity: fail to take your chances, and you invite trouble. Rangers learned that lesson once more in Paisley. Early in the second half, Sima had a golden opportunity to double the lead but scuffed his effort wide. Moments later, Tavernier’s free-kick brushed the top of the net.
The wastefulness left a lingering sense that an equaliser might be coming. Rangers’ control of possession never truly translated into security. Martin’s men appeared jittery, unable to calm the game down or impose the authority expected of a title challenger.
Findlay Curtis Delivers the Twist
The moment of drama arrived in the 82nd minute. St Mirren, encouraged by the crowd, pushed forward with renewed energy. A cross from Ryan Strain wasn’t fully cleared, and the ball fell invitingly to Findlay Curtis. With remarkable composure for a young player, Curtis fired a crisp low strike beyond Jack Butland.
The stadium erupted. For the Saints faithful, it was a moment to savour: their team had stood toe-to-toe with Rangers and found a way back. For Rangers, it was another reminder of their fragility under Martin.
Martin’s Growing Scrutiny
Russell Martin has faced questions since his appointment, and this result only intensified them. While his Rangers side often dominates possession, critics argue they lack penetration and a ruthless streak in front of goal. The defensive frailties also remain an issue, as seen with Curtis’ equaliser.
After the match, Martin struck a defiant but weary tone in his press conference.
“We controlled most of the game, created chances, but we didn’t kill it off. At this level, against a team like St Mirren who fight for everything, you can’t afford to be wasteful. It’s on us, and we’ll put it right.”
But among supporters, patience is wearing thin. Some believe that while Martin’s philosophy is admirable, it has not translated into consistent results. With Celtic continuing to set the pace in the title race, every dropped point feels like a hammer blow.
The Wider Context Rangers’ Title Hopes
For Rangers, the draw leaves them with ground to make up in the Premiership race. Celtic’s relentless form means that any slip can prove costly, and failing to beat teams outside the traditional “big” fixtures could define the title challenge.
Consistency has been elusive this season. Rangers have at times dazzled with fluid attacking football but then faltered with avoidable errors or lacklustre finishing. That unpredictability makes them vulnerable, and Martin’s task is to instil both confidence and killer instinct in his squad.
Spotlight on Key Players
- Cyriel Dessers – The Nigerian forward got his goal but remained inconsistent. For Rangers to thrive, they need him to deliver more regularly.
- James Tavernier – Once again, the captain was a driving force, though his influence waned late on.
- Todd Cantwell – His creativity was on show in flashes, but he struggled to sustain his impact.
- Findlay Curtis – The star of the night for St Mirren. At just 20, his composure under pressure was remarkable, and his goal will live long in the memory of Saints supporters.
St Mirren’s Growing Confidence
For St Mirren, the result is further validation of their progress under Stephen Robinson. The Saints have consistently made life difficult for bigger clubs, and their resilience is becoming a hallmark.
Robinson praised his side afterward:
“The players gave everything tonight. Against a side with the quality of Rangers, you have to stay switched on, and I thought we did that brilliantly. Findlay’s goal was a great moment, and it shows the character we have.”
The point keeps St Mirren well-positioned in the upper half of the table, fuelling optimism that they can push for a top-six finish again.
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