St Mirren v Rangers
SPFL Premier League. Kick-Off 12:30pm. Live on Sky Sports
IT'S been one of the toughest weeks in Steven Gerrard's fledgling management career so far.
A 0-0 draw at home to Spartak Moscow last Thursday wasn't disasterous but his side looked impotent in front of goal when all three points were there for the taking. They followed that by failing to find the net again on Sunday as Aberdeen knocked them out of the Betfred Cup at the semi-final stage. Then it was a case of another two points dropped in Wednesday's 1-1 draw at home to Kilmarnock, which ended with a chorus of boos from sections of the home support. If Gerrard didn't know the demands of being in charge at Rangers he does now. Ibrox expects.
The good news is they have the chance to make amends and go third in the table with a lunchtime win over second-bottom St Mirren.
The Buddies have yet to register a win since the appointment of Northern Irishman Oran Kearney. Bizarelly, his only point has come against champions Celtic in his first game in charge. Their only other points came in a 2-1 win over fellow strugglers Dundee on the opening day of the campaign, when they scored two of just five goals for the season so far.
On paper this should be a comfortable win for the Gers but their away form has been a concern for Gerrard. Their 4-1 win at Hamilton last time out was their first away victory under Gerrard and even that owed to a late flurry of goals, including two penalties, after the Accies had tied things with 10 minutes to go.
It's almost impossible to make a case for St Mirren though at the moment. Six defeats on the bounce, with just two goals scored means morale must be rock bottom.
The best bet looks like a narrow win for the away side and James Tavernier could be a good shout for those who play the goalscorer market. The marauding full-back is deadly from the penalty spot and is Rangers second top scorer for the season.
Recommended Bets
- Rangers to win by 1 goal 2/1 Bet365
- James Tavernier first goalscorer 13/2 e/w Bet365
- Correct Score: St Mirren 0 Rangers 1 9/2 Bet365
