Staff Reporter.
Photo Credit: Rangers FC/PA Images).
Rangers swept aside St Mirren to move within a point of the Scottish Premiership title – and will be crowned champions if Celtic fail to win at Dundee United on Sunday.
Alfredo Morelos’ acute finish added to Ryan Kent’s thumping strike as two goals in two minutes made the result a formality.
Ianis Hagi netted a minute after the break as Rangers – with manager Steven Gerrard serving a one-match ban in the stands – maintained their perfect home record with a 16th win.
Rangers players and some staff rushed to one corner of the stadium at full-time to acknowledge their fans, who had flouted coronavirus lockdown restrictions by gathering outside hours before kick-off.
Defeat dented St Mirren’s top-six hopes but they have a two-point lead over St Johnstone and their fate in their own hands with one pre-split fixture left.
Rangers may even get their hands on a trophy they last lifted in 2011, before financial troubles forced them to battle back from the third division, as early as Sunday if Celtic slip up away to Dundee United.
If not, Rangers supporters can look forward to the dream scenario of finally putting an end to Celtic’s reign of dominance at Parkhead when they head to the Hoops’ patch on March 21.
On the sixth anniversary of the boardroom coup which saw Dave King and the Three Bears take control, the Gers support took over the streets to proclaim the long-awaited return of silverware.
The Scottish Government condemned their breach of Covid-19 rules but even the scorn of Holyrood was not going to dampen the mood of jubilation.
Rangers travel to Slavia Prague for the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday at 5.55pm, before hosting the Czech side at Ibrox in the second leg the following Thursday at 8pm.
Rangers resume their Scottish Premiership campaign away at Celtic on March 21 at 12pm, while St Mirren travel to Hamilton on March 20 at 3pm.