The Gers edged their noses in front when Todd Cantwell netted his first Ibrox goal midway through the first half, only for Buddies midfielder Mark O’Hara to rifle his side level on the stroke of half-time.
Fashion Jr. restored his side’s authority just minutes into the second period before O’Hara got in on the act once again for the away side to equalise. That, however, only seemed to spark Rangers into life as a double from Alfredo Morelos, coupled with a fine finish from substitute Scott Arfield, rounded off an emphatic victory for the Light Blues in front of the Ibrox crowd.
Michael Beale named two changes to his side from last weekend, welcoming John Lundstram and Fashion Jr. back into the starting lineup in place of the injured duo of Ryan Jack and Ryan Kent.
The Gers boss challenged his side to produce a fast start in his pre-match comments to RangersTV and he was duly rewarded inside three minutes when referee Steven McLean pointed to the penalty spot after Nicolas Raskin was clipped by Alex Gogic.
James Tavernier, fresh off recording a century of goals for the Light Blues, assumed penalty duty, but the Rangers captain was denied by Trevor Carson as the Buddies goalkeeper sprung to his right to palm the Englishman’s spot-kick away from danger.
There was an undoubted crispness to the hosts’ play in the opening exchanges despite the disappointment of the early penalty miss, perfectly encapsulated on 18 minutes with a sweeping move through the centre. John Souttar, making his first competitive Ibrox start since arriving at the club, disguised a gorgeous pass into Malik Tillman in an advanced area before the USA international turned and lifted the ball over the top of the St. Mirren defence. Fashion Jr. was the grateful recipient, although the forward was beaten to the punch by Carson as the St. Mirren stopper was quick off his goal line to stifle the threat.
Ben Davies was then the architect shortly after as his floated pass into Morelos from defence allowed Fashion Jr. to spin in-behind Marcus Fraser, although the home side were once again cursing Carson in the Buddies goal as he made an impressive diving stop to thwart the Zambian’s left-footed effort.
However, Rangers’ endeavour was rewarded just shy of the half-hour mark as they prised St. Mirren open with a piece of collective quality. Malik Tillman wriggled free of Gogic in the centre of the pitch following a neat combination with Morelos, before the 20-year-old threaded a pass into Fashion Jr. The Zambian laid the ball onto Tavernier who zipped a dangerous delivery across the face of goal towards Cantwell who produced a deft flick to lift the ball in off the underside of the crossbar.
The Paisley side were struggling to gain a foothold on proceedings owing to the intensity of Rangers on both sides of the ball, and they were fortunate not to concede a second goal of the afternoon six minutes prior to the interval when Fashion Jr.’s pull-back required a last-ditch intervention from Charles Dunne as Raskin strode onto the loose ball.
The Gers looked primed to enter the interval with their noses in front, going close to a second goal of the half when Cantwell curled an effort that Carson gratefully collected, but they were pegged back on the stroke of half-time when Mark O’Hara cannoned an unstoppable volley in off the far post after Greg Kiltie’s cross deflected into the midfielder’s path.
It was to prove virtually the final act of the half, which proved fitting as Rangers showed their powers of recovery by restoring their advantage with one of the first acts of the second period. Borna Barisic took control of a free-kick on the right-hand side, floating a dangerous delivery into Fashion Jr. who stooped to header beyond Carson at his near post.
The St. Mirren No.1 clawed away a dipping Tavernier free-kick moments later, before he was called into action once again when Raskin took aim from distance following a swift Gers counter-attack.
However, the away side levelled for the second time in the afternoon on 64 minutes when the ball broke to O’Hara just inside the penalty area and the Buddies midfielder rifled the ball into the bottom corner to double his tally on the afternoon.
Rangers went in search of an immediate riposte when Tavernier broke free down the right, although the visitors were alert to the danger and scrambled the ball to safety.
Beale turned to his substitutes bench with 14 minutes remaining, introducing the fresh legs of Scott Arfield, Ianis Hagi and Glen Kamara as the home side looked to restore their advantage.
And they duly took up the invitation on 79 minutes as Morelos turned the ball home to bring the Ibrox crowd to its feet, stabbing the ball beyond Carson after Cantwell’s header fell invitingly into the Colombian’s path at the far post.
The Light Blues had their tails up as a result, effectively putting the game to bed two minutes later as Morelos grabbed a quickfire second goal of the afternoon. Substitute Rabbi Matondo, making his return from injury, raced clear of the Buddies backline before lifting his head and pulling the ball back to the Colombian who made no mistake with a smart first-time finish.
There was still time for Rangers to rubber stamp an emphatic victory as substitute Scott Arfield got in on the act with six minutes remaining. Cantwell, who bristled with intent all afternoon, turned exquisitely in midfield before poking a delicious pass through to the midfielder, producing a neat finish through the legs of Carson.
Attention now shifts to next weekend’s trip to Pittodrie for Beale’s men as Rangers look to make it back-to-back victories before the league split.
RANGERS: McGregor, Tavernier (King, 88), Souttar, Davies (Kamara, 76), Barisic, Raskin (Hagi, 76), Lundstram, Cantwell, Tillman (Arfield, 76), Fashion Jr. (Matondo, 61), Morelos
Subs not used: McLaughlin, McCausland, Lyall, Rice
ST. MIRREN: Carson, Tanser (Small, 61), Shaughnessy, O’Hara, Watt (Grieve, 61), Main, Kiltie (Boyd-Munce, 89), Gogic, Dunne, Fraser, Strain
Subs not used: Urminsky, Taylor, Flynn, Jamieson, Offord, Gallagher
REFEREE: Steven McLean