In a nail‑biting encounter at Ibrox, Rangers secured a 1‑0 win against St Mirren thanks to a last‑gasp strike from substitute Bojan Miovski, pushing their Scottish Premiership run to four consecutive victories. The decisive moment arrived deep in stoppage time when Miovski, having surged onto a clever flick‑on from Ryan Naderi, lofted a delicate chip over the St Mirren goalkeeper, sending the home crowd into a frenzy after a largely uneventful ninety minutes. The match had seemed poised to favor Derek McInnes' side for much of the first hour, as St Mirren displayed a compact defensive shape that frustrated the Rangers' attempts to break them down.
The visitors struggled to find clear openings, while the home team, buoyed by a disciplined back line, looked dangerous on the counter‑attack. Their best chance came when Fraser Taylor found himself one‑on‑one with goalkeeper Jacob Chapman after a well‑timed pass from Ivor Pandur. Taylor, however, failed to convert, sending a shot that drifted too close to Chapman, who made a comfortable save and kept the score level.
Rangers entered the second half still missing their captain and leading striker Lawrence Shankland, who was sidelined with injury. Ryan Naderi was drafted into the starting eleven in Shankland's place, and while he performed his duties, it was the impact sub Miovski who ultimately turned the tide.
After a period of back‑and‑forth play, a long ball from Pandur was flicked on by Naderi, landing perfectly for Miovski to control. With Chapman rushing out to narrow the angle, Miovski displayed composure beyond his years, slipping a soft dink past the keeper to clinch the winner. The goal not only gave Rangers three points but also propelled them above St Mirren into second place in the league standings. For St Mirren, the defeat marked their second straight league loss, following a 2‑1 setback against Celtic in their previous fixture.
Despite the loss, the home side can take pride in their defensive resilience and the occasional flashes of attacking intent, particularly from Taylor, whose missed opportunity proved costly. Post‑match, Rangers manager Derek McInnes spoke to Sky Sports about his team's performance. He expressed relief at the result, noting that the side had shown improved ball movement, aggression, and chance creation compared with earlier games.
"For an hour I was really pleased with the performance," McInnes said, before acknowledging a lapse in concentration that allowed St Mirren to threaten. He praised his players' perseverance and the character required to secure a late winner, emphasizing that four wins in four games signalled progress, even if the team still aspired to win more comfortably. McInnes also singled out Miovski for praise, describing the striker as motivated, diligent in training, and capable of delivering a calm, quality finish when it mattered most.
The Serbian forward's contribution underscored the depth of Rangers' squad and the importance of having impact substitutes ready to change a game in its dying moments. St Mirren boss Craig McLeish, also interviewed by Sky Sports, highlighted the positives for his side. He commended his players for their bravery and defensive solidity, while acknowledging Jacob Chapman's crucial saves that kept them in the contest. McLeish felt his team deserved at least a point, but recognized that football does not always reward effort.
He stressed that the season should not be defined by a single result at Ibrox and urged his squad to maintain the intensity and belief shown on the night. The match featured several notable incidents beyond the decisive goal. Early on, Rangers goalkeeper Dean Raskin denied a cross from Bouanani, only for Chapman to make a spectacular save. Later, Chapman produced a double‑save sequence, first parrying a strike from Gassama at the edge of the area and then denying a rebound attempt by Bouanani.
In the 66th minute, Fraser Taylor missed a clear chance, prompting frustration among the Rangers supporters. Looking ahead, Rangers will shift their focus to a crucial double‑header against Celtic.
The first encounter will be a League Cup quarter‑final, followed by a Premier League clash at Celtic Park. Both matches promise high stakes and will test Rangers' ability to maintain their winning momentum. In summary, the match was a showcase of tactical discipline, individual brilliance, and the dramatic flair that often defines Scottish football.
Rangers' late winner, courtesy of Miovski's deft finish, exemplified the fine margins that separate victory from defeat. While St Mirren can take solace in their defensive organization and moments of promise, they will need to convert chances more efficiently if they hope to climb the table.
For Rangers, the result adds another chapter to a promising season under McInnes, with the team now poised to challenge for top honors as they prepare for the looming Celtic duels.