Rangers picked up a comfortable win over St Johnstone as goals from James Tavernier and Glen Kamara - helped by a red card to Saints' Nicky Clark - moved them back to within six points of Celtic.
The inclusion of Todd Cantwell, despite not having played since November, was an indication of how highly Michael Beale rates his first signing and the former Norwich playmaker started on the right of a front three, which means Fashion Sakala was benched. Alongside him was Ianis Hagi, a year and a week on from the ACL injury he suffered in last season’s Scottish Cup against Stirling Albion, and the Romanian got a huge ovation when his name was read out pre-match. This was Beale’s 10th game in charge and he was unbeaten in the nine previous, winning the nine previous.
Anything less than another three points would have been a major, almost certainly fatal, blow as they try to reel in Celtic’s nine-point lead. But St Johnstone arrived at Ibrox desperately in need of a result, having lost their previous six games including last week’s cup tie against Rangers. The home side started brightly with Cantwell constantly involved, demanding the ball and using it well and looking like he had a licence to roam,
