Match report as Antonio Colak nets twice, James Tavernier scores a penalty and Fashion Jr adds a fourth in a routine victory over St Mirren; Rangers remain two points behind leaders Celtic after their dramatic late win at St Johnstone
Saturday 8 October 2022 20:46, UK
Antonio Colak netted twice as Rangers cruised to a 4-0 victory over St Mirren to remain two points behind leaders Celtic.
Gers had won their last 11 matches against the visitors and always looked like adding another when Colak netted the first in just the fourth minute after Borna Barisic's long-range shot hit a post.
The striker then drew a foul from Declan Gallagher in the area which led to James Tavernier dispatching from 12 yards.
In-form St Mirren never found their stride as Colak wrapped up the points in the second half with a clever finish before Fashion Jr scored the goal his performance deserved in injury time.
Rangers showed no signs of a Champions League hangover from their midweek defeat at Liverpool as Colak adjusted his feet quickly to turn home after Barisic's piledriver hit the foot of a post.
St Mirren were second best throughout although did see Alex Grieve's shot on the turn pushed away by Allan McGregor before Rangers made it two. Gallagher lunged in as Colak controlled Tavernier's cross which gave the right-back the opportunity to convert from the spot, side-footing down the middle.
Rabbi Matondo nearly made it three at the start of the second half, seeing his powerful shot from distance come back off the post. Rangers needed a third goal with McGregor making a crucial save to deny Mark O'Hara, who took too long to get his shot away.
Moments later, Rangers had it when Fashion Jr drove inside brilliantly before playing a perfect pass for Colak to run in behind. He beat Gallagher before shooting just inside the post with the outside of his right boot.
Curtis Main saw his 20-yard effort come back off the crossbar to compound St Mirren's luckless day before Fashion Jr netted in injury time with a well-taken finish.
Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst: "We wanted to continue our good run in the league and I think the intentions we showed were very positive. We kept going. Even in the second half we kept pushing ourselves to make the runs and keep the energy on the pitch which is why we scored some great goals as well.
"Colak's performances are really good, I'm really happy with his input today. They have to make it really difficult for me not to pick them which is what you want from your players and that's what Antonio is doing at the moment.
"After three defeats in the Champions League, we have to keep pushing ourselves to get some points out of the games. That's the main objective for Wednesday."
St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson: "It's hard to say it's not a 4-0 game when you've been beaten 4-0, but the key moments in the game, Rangers took them when they had them.
We felt we were comfortable at times. The penalty decision changes the momentum as well but our season isn't going to be defined by that.
We're a good side, we've proven that and there's a lot of aspects that were very good. But we got punished by good players at key moment.
Rangers' attention turns back to the Champions League with a clash with Liverpool at Ibrox on Wednesday night.
They are away to Motherwell in their next Scottish Premiership match on 16 October, live on Sky Sports. Kick-off midday.
St Mirren host Kilmarnock on 15 October. That game kicks-off at 3pm.
