Rangers have secured their place in the quarter-finals of the Premier Sports Cup with a 2-0 win over St Johnstone, a match marked by dramatic moments and significant controversy. Although the Gers demonstrated their superiority on the pitch, the victory was tainted by a contentious VAR decision regarding Cyriel Dessers' opening goal. Despite the resulting debate, the win was ultimately sealed by Ross McCausland's late game goal, ensuring a hard-earned progression for Rangers.
A Match Under Control, But Struggling to Finish
From the onset, Rangers exhibited dominance, controlling possession and establishing a rhythm that consistently put pressure on St Johnstone. However, converting that control into goals proved elusive. Both teams showed resilience, with Rangers creating several chances but falling short in their finishing, much to the frustration of the fans.
The match saw Philippe Clement's side exploit the left wing frequently, where Rabbi Matondo and Danilo showcased their speed and skill. Matondo, in particular, could often be found darting past defenders, creating opportunities that begged for the right finishing touch. Unfortunately, their efforts often lacked the precision necessary to convert those chances into goals.
The Controversial Moment
St Johnstone's defense held firm until the second half, when substitute Cyriel Dessers found the back of the net after a collision with Jack Sanders. The play immediately sparked confusion as referee Matthew MacDermid appeared to whistle for a foul in favor of St Johnstone just before Dessers scored. Initial reactions saw the goal disallowed, inducing frustration and confusion among players and fans alike.
It was the intervention of VAR that brought a moment of clarity, ruling that MacDermid's whistle came after the ball had already crossed the line, thus validating Dessers' goal. Despite this ruling, St Johnstone's camp, including manager Craig Levein, felt aggrieved. Levein voiced his discontent stating, 'I thought it was a free kick to St Johnstone. I don’t think the goal should have counted, plain and simple.'
Unconverted Chances and the Need for Precision
After the controversial goal, Rangers continued to dominate but their inefficiency in front of the goal remained a concern. Danilo, in his first start of the season, came agonizingly close but was denied from close range. Matondo also missed a golden opportunity, firing wide of the post prior to Dessers’ contentious score. These missed opportunities highlighted a critical area for improvement pointed out by Clement who remarked, 'We saw many positive aspects, including good offensive play and numerous chances… one crucial point is to be more efficient with those chances.'
As the game progressed, St Johnstone sought to level the score. Andre Raymond nearly capitalized on a deflected shot, and forward Ad Sidibeh struck the post, narrowly missing the chance to change the game’s dynamics.
Defensive Resilience and Securing the Win
As the match drew to an end, the intensity did not wane. St Johnstone pushed valiantly for an equalizer, but Rangers' defense proved formidable, clearing Sidibeh's injury-time effort. In a final turn of events, Ross McCausland secured the win for Rangers with a composed chip over keeper Josh Rae, extinguishing any lingering hopes of a St Johnstone comeback.
Looking Ahead: Opportunities and Improvements
Despite the contentious nature of their victory, Rangers' progression to the quarter-finals is significant. Philippe Clement will be pleased with the overall dominance but acutely aware of the pressing need for greater precision in finishing. Injuries, including that of new signing Robin Propper, underline the necessity for a more robust squad depth, especially given the occasional defensive vulnerabilities displayed.
St Johnstone, on the other hand, may feel hard done by the VAR ruling but can take positives from their resilient performance. Manager Craig Levein's side created substantial opportunities and showed enough promise to be a challenging opponent for future adversaries in the season.
With the quarter-finals beckoning, Rangers will be keen to harness this momentum and ameliorate their recent Champions League exit disappointment. As they advance, the focus will undoubtedly be on converting their dominance into goals and refining their defensive strategies to ensure sustained success in the competition ahead.