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St Johnstone 0-1 Rangers: Borna Barisic’s strike on the stroke of halftime ensures Michael Beale’s side advance to the fifth round of the Scottish Cup after a nervous encounter at McDiarmid Park
- Barisic’s thunderous goal helps Rangers beat St Johnstone in Scottish Cup
- The defender’s goal came from a Fashion Sakala shot that hit the post
- Michael Beale has won eight and drawn one since taking over as Rangers boss.
Rangers slogged through to the fifth round of the Scottish Cup thanks to an unlikely winner for Borna Barisic against St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park.
Near the end of a dull first half, the Gers left-back fired from 16 meters for his first goal in almost two seasons and it proved decisive in a 1-0 win.
The fourth round tie had been the subject of a ticket row between Saints fans and the Perth club’s board after Gers supporters were allotted three stands, with home support appearing to be in the hundreds.
Rangers advanced uneasily to the fifth round of the Scottish Cup after beating St Johnstone
Borna Barisic shot hard into the back of the net just before the break
However, the advantage that Govan’s men had in the crowd hardly translated onto the pitch, and overall it was an unconvincing and plodding performance by Ibrox’s men.
Michael Beale has won eight and drawn one since taking over as Light Blues boss, but there is still work to be done as he looks to rebuild the team.
Amid the ongoing debate over the merits of Rangers goalkeeping, 40-year-old Allan McGregor was back between the sticks with Ryan Jack and Malik Tillman also returning.
The Saints had lost their previous five meetings and boss Callum Davidson made the changes, with James Brown, Cammy MacPherson, Daniel Phillips, Melker Hallberg and Connor McLennan returning to the team that was left without seeing around 7,000 traveling fans and made it feel. as the match was at Ibrox.
The fourth-round tie had been the subject of a ticket row between the two clubs.
Once again, however, it was far from a blistering start for Rangers, but they had their first opportunity on 16 minutes when Ryan Kent crossed from the left for fellow attacker Fashion Sakala, but he volleyed wide of the net. goal.
The locals fought for their corner and threw the ball into the Gers area almost at every opportunity seeking to exploit the hesitation that had been present this season.
Rangers couldn’t get their act together, but on 38 minutes Barisic fired a free kick from 25 yards past Remi Matthews’ left post.
The first half looked set to end goalless when St Johnstone defender James Brown left with an eye injury to be replaced by Graham Carey, but Govan’s men scored.
Barisic’s goal came from a Fashion Sakala shot that hit the post seconds earlier
Sakala received a smart pass from Tillman and smashed a low shot against the far post, with Matthews beaten, but a fast-running Barisic drove the rebound into the net from inside the box for his first goal since scoring a penalty against the Royal Antwerp. in February 2021.
Barisic almost scored Rangers’ second goal on 56 minutes when he sent a corner kicked in by fellow defender Connor Goldson, but Matthews made a fantastic save and the home side cleared safely.
Both teams made changes off the bench. For the home team, Nicky Clark and Theo Blair replaced Stevie May and Hallberg, while Rangers brought in Scott Wright and Glen Kamara for Sakala and Tillman, before Gers midfielder Jack went off with a shot from distance. .
Michael Beale has won eight and drawn one since taking over as Rangers boss in November.
Wright saved Matthews well with a curling shot before striker Alfredo Morelos’s poor shot from close range was cleared off the line by defender Andy Considine.
At the other end, Rangers captain James Tavernier pulled a play from Blair off the line after the visitors’ defense conceded their first real chance.
In the final minute of regulation, Clark tested McGregor with a decent drive and the Rangers held on nervously at times in the final minutes.