Rangers backed up their Viaplay Cup success by easing to a routine 2-0 Scottish Premiership victory over 10-man St Johnstone at Ibrox.
First-half substitute Cyriel Dessers rifled home the opener after 28 minutes before the visitors had frontman Diallang Jaiyesimi sent off shortly after for a rash challenge on John Lundstram.
From then on, the Perth club offered little attacking ambition but they did well to restrict their hosts to just a handful of chances, with goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov producing smart saves to deny Dessers and Sam Lammers. But captain James Tavernier swept home a late penalty after Mitov has brought down Dessers to move the Gers within two points of league leaders Celtic.
Philippe Clement's side still have a game in hand, but will not play that match against Hibernian until after the winter break. This was Rangers third match in the space of seven days and while the tempo dropped in the closing stages, the hosts ran out comfortable winners.
Here’s our post-match Rangers player ratings from Ibrox:
Unused subs: Robby McCrorie (GK), Rabbi Matondo, Borna Barisic, Leon Balogun.
5. John Souttar - 6/10
Picked up a head knock within the opening minutes but managed to recover. Had a chance from a corner which failed to find a way past a host of bodies in front of goal. | SNS Group
6. Ridvan Yilmaz - 4/10
Very poor. Turkish full-back was given another chance to shine with Barisic rested but chose the wrong option on several occasions. Gifted away possession too cheaply. Lacked sharpness. | SNS Group
7. John Lundstram - 5/10
On the receiving end of Jaiyesimi's crunching late tackle which was upgraded to a red card from a yellow. Struggled to shake that knock off and was replaced at half-time. | SNS Group
8. Kieran Dowell - 6/10
Created a positive impression after a lengthy stint out of the first-team picture. Always keen to get on the ball. Displayed some nice touches and a threat when playing higher up the field. | SNS Group