St Johnstone 0-3 Rangers: Mohamed Diomande’s strike and James Tavernier penalties move Gers top of table

Rangers moved top of the Scottish Premiership after Mohamed Diomande’s thumping strike and James Tavernier’s two penalties gave them a 3-0 win at St Johnstone.

Philippe Clement’s side took full advantage of Celtic’s slip-up on Saturday to move two points above the reigning champions and go top for the first time since August 2022.

January signing Diomande set Rangers on their way to a crucial victory at McDiarmid Park with a stunning 37th-minute hit from outside the box for his first goal for the club and the only shot on target of the first half.

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Mohamed Diomande scores a stunner for Rangers in their clash with St Johnstone

Rangers were livelier in the second half and eventually Tavernier doubled their lead from the penalty spot in the 78th minute after Dujon Sterling was fouled by Andrew Considine following a VAR review.

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James Tavernier doubles Rangers’ lead from the penalty spot after Dujon Sterling was fouled in the box

VAR was needed again to award Rangers another penalty after Luke Robinson handballed Tom Lawrence’s strike and Tavernier scored his second from the spot in the 87th minute.

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James Tavernier scores his second penalty of the game as they head to top spot in the Scottish Premiership

Rangers, who made it nine straight wins, are now in control of the Scottish Premiership title race with 12 fixtures remaining.

St Johnstone, meanwhile, failed to have a shot on target in the defeat to leave Craig Levein’s side 10th and eight points above bottom side Livingston.

How Rangers moved top of the table

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Chris Sutton delivered a damning verdict on Celtic’s form, describing their performances under Brendan Rodgers as ‘bang average’

Rangers travelled to Perth in great expectation of going above their Glasgow rivals Celtic but they struggled to get going at St Johnstone until Diomande’s powerful opener.

The midfielder, on loan from Danish side Nordsjaelland, marked his first league start with a superb strike from the edge of the box to fire Rangers into the lead.

The Ivorian’s goal was the only shot on target of an underwhelming first half but it took just 17 seconds for the Gers to have a shot on target in the second half as substitute Dujon Sterling crossed for Fabio Silva but his hooked first-time effort was saved by Dimitar Mitov.

Sterling then missed a great chance in the 53rd minute as he glanced a header just wide of the far post from Todd Cantwell’s cross.

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Dujon Sterling glances a header just wide from three yards out as Rangers search for a second!

Rangers searched for a second goal and they were given the chance to double the lead when Considine fouled Sterling, and despite referee Matt MacDermid not pointing to the spot, he was then asked to view the pitchside monitor and he awarded the penalty, which Tavernier converted.

Substitute Cyriel Dessers then headed against the bar with Lawrence’s rebound striking the hand of Robinson and after consulting his pitchside monitor again, referee MacDermid again pointed to the spot and Tavernier made no mistake to wrap up an important win for Rangers.

What’s next? Sunday 25th February 11:00am Kick off 12:00pm

St Johnstone’s next Scottish Premiership match is away to St Mirren on February 24, while Rangers host Hearts.

Both games kick-off at 3pm.