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Rangers logo
Scottish Premiership | Gameweek 12
Dec 20, 2023 at 7.45pm UK
Ibrox Stadium
St Johnstone logo

Rangers
2 - 0
St Johnstone

Dessers (28'), Tavernier (85' pen.)
Goldson (45+2'), Cantwell (90+3')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Smith (38'), Phillips (45')
Jaiyesimi (33')

Preview: Rangers vs. St Johnstone - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Scottish Premiership clash between Rangers and St Johnstone, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Rangers will look to build further momentum on Wednesday evening when they play host to St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership.

The recently-crowned Scottish League Cup winners trail Celtic by five points at a time when the visitors sit in eighth position in the standings.


Match preview

Rangers' James Tavernier lifts the trophy as they celebrate winning the Scottish League Cup on December 17, 2023© Reuters

Upon arriving at Rangers, Philippe Clement may have felt that it would take time to rejuvenate a team that were inconsistent under predecessor Michael Beale.

Instead, the Belgian has instigated a remarkable turnaround that has seen Rangers win their Europa League group and lift the Scottish League Cup.

Playing a cup final on the back of the thrilling 3-2 triumph at Real Betis would not have been easy for the Glasgow giants, yet they successfully came through with a 1-0 win over Aberdeen at Hampden Park three days later.

James Tavernier's second-half goal ended a 13-year wait for another League Cup trophy, and it has provided Rangers with a further lift ahead of attempting to chase down Celtic in the top flight.

With two matches in hand, Rangers sit five points adrift of their rivals and frontrunners, and three more victories would increase the stakes ahead of the next Old Firm derby on December 30.

While Rangers are on a five-match winning streak, St Johnstone will be delighted with their own form since the start of November.

Just two defeats - to Hearts and Celtic - have been suffered in eight matches in all competitions, Craig Levein having the desired effect since his arrival last month.

More recently, St Johnstone have collected seven points from their last three league fixtures, keeping two clean sheets in 1-0 wins and the other point coming away at Motherwell.

Now within six points of the top five, Levein and his St Johnstone players will be confident of kicking on and becoming a factor in the race for the European places.

Rangers Scottish Premiership form:


Rangers form (all competitions):


St Johnstone Scottish Premiership form:


Team News

Rangers' Rabbi Matondo in action with Real Betis' German Pezzella on September 21, 2023© Reuters

Clement will consider making several alterations to his Rangers side in order to keep players fresh during a hectic period.

Ben Davies and John Souttar are both alternatives for the centre of defence, while Rabbi Matondo and Sam Lammers could be involved further forward.

However, Jose Cifuentes will miss out as he serves the second of his two-match domestic suspension.

Meanwhile, Levein may be prepared to select the same St Johnstone XI after their victory over Hibernian last time out.

Having been introduced as late substitutes in that game, Chris Kane, Andy Considine and Sven Sprangler appear most likely to be handed a recall if Levein wishes to make an alteration.


Rangers possible starting lineup:
Butland; Tavernier, Goldson, Souttar, Barisic; Sterling, Lundstram; Matondo, Cantwell, Sima; Lammerss

St Johnstone possible starting lineup:
Mitov; McGowan, Gordon, Robinson; Franczak, Smith, Phillips; Gallacher; Kucheryavyi; Carey, Jaiyesimi


SM words green background

We say: Rangers 2-0 St Johnstone

On the back of two energy-sapping occasions, Clement may look to rotate his squad on Wednesday. Nevertheless, we have to back the home side to come through with three points, even if it may not be in entertaining fashion.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 2.5:data


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rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic000080265478
2RangersRangers000072234975
3Hearts101046341263
4Kilmarnock10104334952
5St Mirren00003843-543
6Dundee00004454-1041
Relegation Group
1Hibernian11004752-542
2Aberdeen11003649-1338
3Motherwell10014652-637
4St Johnstone10012549-2431
5Ross County10013258-2630
6Livingston11002459-3521
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
12Livingston3339212259-3718


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