What's happened
Rangers have extended their unbeaten run to 12 games in all competitions with a 2-0 win over St Mirren, moving within one point of Celtic at the top. Ryan Naderi and Dan Neil scored as Rangers controlled the game from start to finish, with a controversial penalty early in the match shaping the outcome.
What's behind the headline?
Brief Analysis
- Rangers sustain a 12-match unbeaten run in all competitions, showing defensive solidity with six clean sheets in 12 league games. This forms a solid base as they push for the title.
- Penalty controversy over Samuel Ramos on James Penrice could spark debate about VAR thresholds and officiating standards.
- Naderi’s form is becoming crucial with Chermiti and Shankland injuries, while Dan Neil’s return strengthens midfield options.
What this signals for readers
- A title challenge remains very much alive as Celtic wait to respond on Sunday.
- Rangers’ stout defense is complemented by a more reliable midfield spine, but converting chances remains a priority.
How we got here
Rangers have been rebuilding under Derek McInnes following a rocky start, while St Mirren, led by Craig McLeish, are seeking form after a difficult run. The match underlined Rangers’ defensive resilience and sharpened attacking concerns that remain to be addressed ahead of the international break.
Our analysis
The Scotsman, The Guardian, The Scotsman noted a decisive penalty for Rangers and emphasized their unbeaten run; Guardian highlighted the late second-half goal and the penalty controversy, while The Scotsman focused on defensive robustness and attacking threats.
Go deeper
- Will Rangers sustain their unbeaten run after the international break?
- Can St Mirren rebound quickly and halt Rangers’ momentum?
- How will Celtic respond when they next play?
More on these topics
-
Kilmarnock Football Club - Football team
Kilmarnock Football Club, commonly known as Killie, is a Scottish professional football team based in the town of Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire. The team is currently managed by Alex Dyer.
-
Dan Neil - Columnist
Dan Neil is an automotive columnist for The Wall Street Journal and a former staff writer at the Los Angeles Times, AutoWeek and Car and Driver. He was a panelist on 2011's The Car Show with Adam Carolla on Speed Channel.
-
Rangers F.C. - Association football club in Glasgow, Scotland
Rangers Football Club is a professional football club in Glasgow, Scotland. The team competes in the Scottish Premiership, the top division of Scottish football. The club is often referred to as Glasgow Rangers, though this has never been its official...
-
Derek McInnes - Scottish former football player
Derek John McInnes is a Scottish former football player who is currently the manager of Aberdeen. He featured prominently for Greenock Morton, Rangers, West Bromwich Albion and Dundee United during his playing career.
-
St Mirren F.C. - Football club
St Mirren Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Paisley, Renfrewshire, founded in 1877. They play in the Scottish Premiership after winning the 2017–18 Scottish Championship.
-
Celtic Football Club - Football club
The Celtic Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Glasgow, which plays in the Scottish Premiership. The club was founded in 1887 with the purpose of alleviating poverty in the immigrant Irish population in the East End of Glasgow.
-
Motherwell F.C. - Association football club in Motherwell, Scotland
Motherwell Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire, which plays in the Scottish Premiership. Motherwell have not dropped out of the top flight of Scottish football since 1985, and have lifted one troph
-
James Penrice - Footballer
James Penrice is a Scottish footballer who plays as a left-back for Livingston.