Rangers bounced back from their Europa League disappointment with a commanding 2-0 victory over St. Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership, thanks to two goals from Vaclav Cerny. After suffering a 4-1 defeat to Lyon in their previous match at Ibrox, Rangers needed a response, and Cerny provided just that, delivering a standout performance to help secure the three points.
The Czech winger opened the scoring in the 34th minute, curling a precise shot into the bottom-left corner of Ross Sinclair's goal, giving Rangers the lead they sought before halftime. Cerny's movement and quick footwork posed constant problems for the St. Johnstone defense, and he was rewarded again in the second half. In the 58th minute, he linked up expertly with Ianis Hagi, who played a clever pass to Cerny, allowing him to slot home his second goal with a calm right-footed finish.
Hagi, making his first start after more than a year due to contract disputes, was involved in the game’s key moments but saw his return tarnished by a red card. In the 74th minute, Hagi was shown a straight red following a VAR review for a high challenge on Benjamin Kimpioka’s ankle. Despite being down to ten men for the remainder of the match, Rangers managed to maintain their grip on the game, preventing St. Johnstone from finding any breakthrough.
This win lifts Rangers within five points of league leaders Celtic as the Scottish Premiership heads into the international break. It also marked the team's third consecutive clean sheet in domestic competition, showcasing their defensive improvement since the Lyon defeat. Rangers' defense has been a key part of their recent form, with the team not conceding in the league for three straight matches, a feat they haven’t achieved since early last season.
St. Johnstone, who have now lost their last eight away league games at Ibrox without scoring, struggled to break down Rangers' defense, and the result was never in doubt. The victory shows Rangers' resilience and ability to regroup, keeping the pressure on Celtic in the title race as they head into a crucial phase of the season.
