Scottish Premiership | Gameweek 23

Jan 12, 2025 at 3pm UK

Ibrox Stadium

Rangers vs St Johnstone

Match preview

Rangers started the 2024-25 season with a target: to win the Scottish Premiership title for the first time since their amazing 102-point unbeaten campaign in 2020-21.

But after just 21 games, the Gers are already 15 points behind league leaders Celtic, mostly because of a rubbish start to the season.

Philippe Clement was under a lot of pressure for leading Rangers to their worst start to a Scottish Premiership season since their first back in the top flight in 2016-17, with the Gers getting only seven wins, two draws and three losses from their first 12 matches.

Things did eventually turn for the better as they won four matches in a row, but it's been a bit of a slump since then, with just one win in their last five.

Rangers have done really well at home, winning and drawing one of their 10 games there. But their away record isn't so great, with the Gers only winning three of their 11 league games, and having four draws and four losses.

Clement will be heading into this one hoping their impressive home form can continue with a much-needed victory against St Johnstone, with the pressure rising around the Belgian's role at the club.

A matchup with St Johnstone is a great chance for Rangers to get three points. The visitors are rock bottom of the table with just 15 points from 22 games, eight points behind 11th-placed Hearts.

Their previous manager, Craig Levein, was sacked after leading the Saints to only one win from their first five league fixtures, with Andy Kirk managing just one draw and two losses during his time in charge on an interim basis.

Simo Valakari was announced as the new permanent manager, and after a dream start where he guided the Saints to back-to-back wins, St Johnstone have recorded only one win in the following 12 outings.

With relegation looming just over halfway through the season, Valakari's team is in dire need of three points and a better run of results in the next few games if they're to stand any chance of survival this season.

But history tells us that it's unlikely they'll beat Rangers. The Saints have lost all eight of the last meetings with the Gers across all competitions.

Recent Performance

Rangers Scottish Premiership form:WLDWDD

St Johnstone Scottish Premiership form:LLLLDL

Team News

Rangers are going to have to play without a bunch of their best players in this match because they're injured. This includes Neraysho Kasanwirjo, John Souttar, James Tavernier, Tom Lawrence, Jack Butland, Leon Balogun and Dujon Sterling.

That leaves Clement with limited options to choose his starting side from, meaning the manager may opt to name the same team that started in their 1-1 draw with Dundee last time out.

Vaclav Cerny is one of the few Rangers players who has excelled this season, and the winger continued his strong form by scoring his eighth goal of the campaign against Dundee. This makes him a key player for Rangers, who will likely look to him to make the difference again here.

As for St Johnstone, Valakari only has to deal with the fact that Uche Ikpeazu and Sam McClelland won't be playing in this match, as they're both set to return from injury later this month.

Jason Holt might come back into the midfield alongside Sven Sprangler for this match, after the midfielder served his suspension in their last game against Dundee.

Possible starting lineup

Rangers possible starting lineup:

Kelly; Yilmaz, Propper, Nsiala, Jefte; Barron, Diomande; Cerny, Bajrami, Hagi; Igamane

St Johnstone possible starting lineup:

Rae; Wright, Sanders, Mikulic, Raymond; Sprangler, Holt; Carey, Clark, Mbunga-Kimpioka; Sidibeh