A SUPERB Borna Barisic strike was the difference as Rangers progressed to the fifth round of the Scottish Cup with a 1-0 victory over St Johnstone this evening.
The goal came late in the first-half as Michael Beale’s side booked their place in tomorrow evening’s draw with the win at McDiarmid Park.
There were three changes to the starting line-up from the midweek victory over Kilmarnock as Allan McGregor, Ryan Jack and Malik Tillman came back into the team, with Jon McLaughlin, Glen Kamara and Scott Arfield on the bench.
That meant Rangers started with McGregor in goal with James Tavernier, Connor Goldson, Ben Davies and Borna Barisic in front of him.
John Lundstram remained in midfield and was joined there by Ryan Jack and Malik Tillman. It was the same front three as midweek with Fashion Jr and Ryan Kent supporting striker Alfredo Morelos.
There were over 7,000 Rangers supporters at McDiarmid Park as Rangers got their Scottish Cup campaign underway for the 2022/23 season.
Despite having the majority of possession in the opening stages, chances were few and far between as the Light Blues looked for an opening in this cup tie.
It was the 17th minute before the first effort at goal as Ryan Kent picked out Fashion Jr with a ball into the back post. The Zambian struck it first time but couldn’t keep his effort on target as it drifted wide of the post.
Rangers were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box after good link-up play from Malik Tillman and Ryan Kent, with the latter being brought down by James Brown, who picked-up a yellow for the foul.
James Tavernier and Borna Barisic stood over the free-kick, with Barisic curling a left-footed strike towards goal but it was just inches wide of the post.
However, it was the Croatian who managed to get the breakthrough for Rangers with a fantastic strike late in the first-half.
The move started with lovely play down the right as Fashion Jr and Malik Tillman combined with Fashion Jr’s strike across goal coming back off the post. Barisic was advancing into the box and was alert to the rebound as he hit a fantastic left-footed volley into the back of the net to send Rangers in at the break with the advantage.
It was almost two for Rangers in the 57th minute as Barisic delivered a dangerous corner into the box which met Connor Goldson but his header, which looked to be heading for the back of the net, was kept out by a strong hand from St Johnstone goalkeeper Remi Matthews.
With 25 minutes of the match remaining, Beale made two changes to his side as Scott Wright and Glen Kamara were introduced in place of Malik Tillman and Fashion Jr.
Ryan Jack had a strike from distance go just wide of the post as Rangers looked to extend their lead in this cup match before Scott Wright was denied by another great save from Remi Matthews as he found space to curl a shot towards goal.
The Light Blues were looking threatening at McDiarmid Park and shortly after Alfredo Morelos had a shot cleared off the line by Andy Considine.
At the other end, James Tavernier was the man on the line as he managed to keep out a shot from St Johnstone’s Theo Bair before Allan McGregor denied Nicky Clark as the home side looked for a late equaliser.
Beale made further changes in added time as Antonio Colak and Scott Arfield were introduced as Rangers saw out the final stages of this tie to book their place in tomorrow evening’s draw.
RANGERS: McGregor, Tavernier, Goldson, Davies, Barisic, Lundstram, Jack (Arfield, 90), Tillman (Kamara, 67), Kent (Lowry, 83), Fashion Jr (Wright, 67), Morelos (Colak, 90).
Subs not used: McLaughlin, Sands, King, Devine.
St Johnstone: Matthews, Brown (Carey, 44), Gordon, Considine, Montgomery, Macpherson (Wotherspoon, 83), Phillips, Hallberg (Clark, 67), Wright, May (Bair, 67), McLennan (Murphy, 83).
Subs not used: Parish, Mitchell, Gallacher, Crawford.
Referee: Alan Muir
Attendance: 7855