PERTH, SCOTLAND - DECEMBER 01: Rangers' James Tavernier (R) and manager Philippe Clement at full time during a William Hill Premiership match between St Johnstone and Rangers at McDiarmid Park, on December 01, 2024, in Perth, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)
There was no Europa League bounce for Phil Clement as he watched his side labour to a 1-0 victory away to St Johnstone in the SPFL Premiership.
The victory, courtesy of an own goal from Jason Holt keeps the wolf from the door as the calendar flicks towards Hampden in a fortnight’s time.
According to some the midweek win over Nice had all of Europe talking about Clement’s exciting young team- it is doubtful if many beyond the hard core bears were able to watch through 90 plus minutes at lunchtime today.
Poster boys Ianis Hagi and Hamza Igamane were in the starting XI as was James Tavernier who took the armband back from modest Jack Butland.
St Johnstone started brightly but beyond the first 15 minutes they barely offered a token threat, to the surprise of no-one the first half ended goal-less.
FULL-TIME: St Johnstone 0-1 Rangers
Three Points at McDiarmid Park. pic.twitter.com/DzIf3uj9Yg
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) December 1, 2024
Holt took on the captaincy in the 58th minute from Nicky Clark, five minutes later he popped in an own goal for the club he graced for three seasons in the middle of The Banter Years.
Robin Propper was injured during the first half with Nedim Bajrami replaced by Ridvan Yilmaz at half time in a tactical switch.
Kilmarnock at home and Ross County away have to be faced before the Spurs and Celtic double header, if Clement survives that he can discuss his exciting plans with incoming CEO Paddy Stewart with the January transfer window just a fortnight away.
A tough watch was about the politest description of today’s performance as the inevitable was delayed.
Battering a 2nd string Nice and scraping past St J to close the gap on 2nd place Aberdeen, terrific week for ra bears.
Although you wouldn’t know it ?? pic.twitter.com/xkEezq0YmW— Green Onions (@giggleometer) December 1, 2024
90 mins of ma life I’ll never get back.
— Little Miss Vikki (@MsVC79) December 1, 2024
— ? (@FuckBeale) December 1, 2024
Another soul destroying domestic performance. Buckle up, we’ve got at least another 3 weeks of this. No decisions will be made until the CEO starts.
— 9now? (@416ix1872) December 1, 2024
Another uninspiring dull watch with Clement clapping his hands at the end of the match. If he’s happy with that performance then we’re in serious trouble. 6 away games now in the league and we’ve won 2 & scored 3 goals simply not good enough
— ?? Jack Union ?? (@Union55Jack) December 1, 2024
27 goals behind Celtic on December 1st, he has to go. pic.twitter.com/FvmkQMFrj0
— Me ? (@psco1) December 1, 2024
— Benny (@fifetim1916) December 1, 2024
Poorly coached, a cluster of individual moves trying to break down organised defences. Amazing that somebody gets a wage for having a team who ‘play’ like this
— Sandy King (@KingoftheSandy) December 1, 2024
Scraping a 1-0 win with an own goal away to a side as bad as that whilst creating nothing, a good 5/6 teams in the league take a point or more against us today
Grim again
— Reece?? (@Gmouthmilan2023) December 1, 2024
St. Johnstone were feckin’ useless…End of.