Rangers will look to continue their winning streak in the Scottish Premiership when they play host to St Mirren at Ibrox Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The hosts are second in the standings with 56 points from their 26 fixtures, while the visitors are sixth in the table with 31 points from 26 games played.
Match preview
© Imago
Rangers endured a difficult start to the 2024-25 season, failing to qualify for the Champions League as they lost to Dynamo Kyiv in the third qualifying round, while also recording their worst start to a Scottish Premiership campaign after 12 matches since 2016-17.
Philippe Clement faced intense criticism following that opening to the campaign, but the Belgian has been able to turn things around for the Gers in the following months.
The Gers have since lost just four in the subsequent 21 outings across all competitions, though that includes a heartbreaking penalty defeat to Celtic in the Scottish League Cup final and a miserable 1-0 defeat to Queen's Park in the Scottish Cup.
Their league results have helped Rangers climb into second place with 56 points after 26 games, from 17 wins, five draws and four losses, leaving them 18 points above third-placed Aberdeen, though they disappointingly trail Celtic by 13 points.
Nevertheless, the Gers will aim to extend their five-game winning streak in the Scottish Premiership, keeping an eye on any potential slip-ups by the Bhoys to narrow the gap.
Rangers will be the favourites heading into this one, given their home advantage - where they have not lost in the league this term - while St Mirren have also faced difficulties in past weeks.
St Mirren have secured back-to-back top six finishes in the past two years, sixth in 2022-23 and fifth in 2023-24, and they would have been aiming for another top six finish this term.
Stephen Robinson's men are currently sixth in the standings, with 31 points from 26 outings, but their recent form has allowed for the teams below them to rapidly close the gap.
The Saints have won only one of their last seven Scottish Premiership games, alongside one draw and five defeats, meaning they now hold only a four point lead over 11th-placed Dundee.
Robinson will be hoping an unlikely victory against Rangers could boost St Mirren and spark a run of improved results to help lift them up the table, but the Saints have an unfavourable record against the Gers in recent history.
St Mirren have won only one of their last 15 meetings with Rangers across all competitions, losing 13 and drawing one, though that victory did come earlier this campaign.
Team News
![Stephen Robinson of St Mirren during the UEFA Europa Conference League Second Qualifying Round Second Leg match at the SMISA Stadium, Paisley, on August 1, 2024 [on August 2, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/31/stephen-robinson.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Stephen Robinson of St Mirren during the UEFA Europa Conference League Second Qualifying Round Second Leg match at the SMISA Stadium, Paisley, on August 1, 2024 [on August 2, 2024]")
© Imago
Rangers are set to be without the services of Dujon Sterling (foot) and Neraysho Kasanwirjo (knee) for this match due to injury issues, though both are likely to return later this month.
After beating Hearts 3-1 in their last outing, Clement could decide to name a similar starting team for this one, though Robin Propper could come back into the starting team.
As for St Mirren, Alex Iacovitti will remain on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, while Conor McMenamin is also unavailable due to a calf injury.
Despite being held to a 0-0 draw with Hibernian in their most recent game, Robinson's side were dominant throughout the 90 minutes, meaning the manager could name the same 11 here.
Rangers possible starting lineup:
Butland; Tavernier, Souttar, Propper, Jefte; Diomande, Raskin; Cerny, Lawrence, Hagi; Igamane
St Mirren possible starting lineup:
Hemming; Fraser, Gogic, Taylor; Alebiousu, Phillips, Boyd-Munce, O'Hara, John; Olusanya, Mandron
We say: Rangers 2-0 St Mirren
Rangers are certainly the favourites to secure the victory here, given their home advantage and St Mirren's recent poor form, leading us to expect a comfortable win for the hosts.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
