Ianis Hagi back as Rangers win ugly and need OG to get over the line at St Johnstone – 5 talking points

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Ianis Hagi came in from the cold to help turn up the heat on Aberdeen as Rangers saw off stubborn St Johnstone to claim a much-needed away win.The Romanian playmaker forced ex-Ger Jason Holt into a second half own goal to seal the points and secure under pressure Philippe Clement’s second away win of the season.The Light Blues have been sensational on their travels in Europe – but have suffered from travel sickness in Scotland.

It might not have been all that pretty this time but a second away win of the term was absolutely essential.But Hagi – on his first start for 18 months – provided the dangerous cross that did the damage amid a stronger second half showing to cut the gap to Celtic at the top to 11 points and put pressure on Aberdeen in second.Rangers had to dig it out after the delights of defeating Nice 4-1 in France in midweek with Simo Valakari’s men proving to be a tough nut to crack at McDiarmid.

Saints applied some early pressure and there were some scares at the back for Rangers. Jack Butland was forced to race from his line to nod away after Benji Kimpioka got in behind John Souttar.Gers grew into the game though and keeper Josh Rae pawed away a Hamza Igamane effort after Vaclav Cerny blasted wide.

Nedim Bajrami was also posing a threat and tested Rae again as Clement’s men pushed for an opener before the break. Robin Propper and Bajrami were replaced for the second period while Graham Carey made way for Saints.And it was Rangers probing and they eventually found a way through when Hagi scooped the ball into the mouth of the goal and former Holt put over his own line under pressure from James Tavernier.The goal gave Rangers a burst of energy and Hagi and Danilo came close to making it more comfortable