Listen to Sportsound & watch Sportscene from 22:30 BST
Cerny sweeps Rangers into first-half lead & adds second after interval
Hagi sent off - after VAR check - in first appearance since August 2023 for poor challenge on Kimpioka
Clark effort disallowed as St Johnstone try to take advantage
New St Johnstone manager Valakari watches from stand as he awaits clearance to take charge
Now we've heard from both managers, we're going to clock off for the weekend.
It's been a long but drama-packed day, and you can catch up on all the madness on Sportscene right now.
Find it on the BBC One Scotland channel or iPlayer.
Thanks for ing!
FT: Rangers 2-0 St Johnstone
Image source, SNSInterim St Johnstone manager Andy Kirk thinks his side have shown incoming head coach Simo Valakari that he has a good base to work with despite defeat at Ibrox.
"The result was poor obviously, but there's things on the pitch the new manager will have seen that we can improve on," he tells BBC Scotland.
"We made some mistakes and got punished - that tends to happen against the better teams, but there's a lot to work with.
"We will look to improve on those things and hopefully things will turn for us.
"We tried something different with the front players, getting them wider, and in the second half we were a bit more composed on the ball, changed the shape and showed the manager what he's got to work with."
FT: Rangers 2-0 St Johnstone
The Premiership will shut down for two weeks as international football returns.
When both sides come back, St Johnstone host Ross County on 19 October in what should be head coach Simo Valakari's first game in charge.
Rangers go to Kilmarnock the following day.
FT: Rangers 2-0 St Johnstone
Image source, SNSMore from Rangers boss Philippe Clement, who tells BBC Scotland: "I still expect more but it's an important win and a deserved win. It's very positive that we get another clean sheet. It's important we continue in that way."
On Vaclav Cerny: "He did a really good job, he was really down after Thursday. He had the right reaction today, he has all my trust.
"Glasgow is not easy when you miss a big chance on an important night. Those are things you have to adapt to. This is the best reaction you can have after a miserable evening."
On Ianis Hagi: "More clumsy from a player whose tired and not at his top fitness. I hope he can get more minutes with the national team."
On the international break: "We have a lot of players going away, we pray they come back in good health. We'll have an indoor friendly this week [for the players who are here]."
FT: Rangers 2-0 St Johnstone
Philippe Clement does not expect an additional suspension for Ianis Hagi following the returning midfielder's red card.
"It is not a violent one - it is a clumsy one from a player who has not played much in recent months," the Rangers manager tells Premier Sports when asked about the Romania international.
"He goes away on international duty now and hopefully he gets some minutes there and we can get him back to his best level."
FT: Rangers 2-0 St Johnstone
Rangers manager Philippe Clement is content with the three points and particularly pleased for two-goal Vaclav Cerny.
"Players don't like to miss chances and he know the importance of missing that goal," he says on Premier Sports of the Czech's failure to grab a big opportunity in the Europa League defeat by Lyon.
"He was down about that, so that's why he came to me to celebrate after his first goal and I'm very happy that he scored tonight."
Meanwhile, Clement suggests that the knock that led to Cerny limping off at the final whistle was not serious.
Public service announcement: Sportscene is starting in two minutes 🚨
FT: Rangers 2-0 St Johnstone
Derek Ferguson
Former Rangers midfielder on BBC Sportsound
Image source, SNSYou get the feeling Rangers were always in control of the game.
It was lovely to see Cerny get the two goals because he looked a bit fragile early on and it's crazy what I'm going to say - the finish was quality but at times he was a little bit slack.
Rangers have kept a clean sheet in each of their last three games in the Premiership.
Their last longer run of games without conceding a goal in the league was a run of six in December 2021.
That stat has surprised me!
You lot are in for a serious Sunday treat shortly.
Tonight's Sportscene starts at 22:30 BST on BBC One Scotland due to the late kick-off time at Ibrox.
Controversy, four red cards, late drama and 19 goals across the six games this weekend.
Not to be missed.
FT: Rangers 2-0 St Johnstone
Image source, SNSIanis Hagi's yellow card was upgraded to a red after a VAR review for this tackle on Benjamin Kimpioka
Quite the night for Ianis Hagi on his Rangers return:
He'll be waiting a few weeks now before he can get back on the pitch again.
FT: Rangers 2-0 St Johnstone
Image source, SNSTo echo Callum's points, Simo Valakari would have watched on thinking he's got a decent squad to work with.
In Benjamin Kimpioka and Adama Sidibeh, they have two forwards who can cause any team in the league problems.
Jack Sanders looked assured for the most part at centre-back and young Makenzie Kirk was bright.
With an international break on the way, Valakari should have a good fortnight to work with his players.
FT: Rangers 2-0 St Johnstone
Callum Davidson
Former St Johnstone manager on BBC Sportsound
It was a comfortable Rangers performance. But there is a lot to work with from St Johnstone.
It was really brave to go with four strikers after the break. They just need to be a bit more secure on the ball and, once they do that, they should get better.
FT: Rangers 2-0 St Johnstone
Derek Ferguson
Former Rangers midfielder on BBC Sportsound
Rangers go into the international break with a vital three points because they need to keep on the tails of Aberdeen - and what I hope we've got is a title race.
And next up we have Celtic against Aberdeen and what a game that will be.
So this is how the table looks going into the second international break of the season.
Celtic and Aberdeen on 21 points from from seven games, with Rangers five points behind in third.
St Johnstone, on a seven-game winless run, remain second bottom.
Image source, SNSRangers 2-0 St Johnstone
Former Rangers midfielder Derek Ferguson picks out John Souttar as his player of the match on Sportsound.
Steve Clarke was watching on. Does the centre-back start for Scotland over the international period?
FT: Rangers 2-0 St Johnstone
I'm obviously not a physio, but Vaclav Cerny looks like he's limping a bit as he comes back on to the pitch to shake hands with the opposition...
Hopefully nothing to worry about for Philippe Clement.
Rangers 2-0 St Johnstone
Rangers narrow the gap on Celtic and Aberdeen back to five points.
Vaclav Cerny's double did the damage, but Ianis Hagi's red card adds a sour note for the Ibrox side.
Image source, SNSRangers 2-0 St Johnstone
Two minutes left and Rangers look certain for the points.
Saints have fought well but lacked the finishing touch.
Rangers 2-0 St Johnstone
Ah, what a strike and what a save.
Neraysho Kasanwirjo leathers a beauty from about 20 yards, but Ross Sinclair matches it with a stunning save.
Vaclav Cerny's two goals gave Rangers victory over St Johnstone
Rangers secured a third consecutive Scottish Premiership win, with Vaclav Cerny's exquisite double effectively sealing the points before Ianis Hagi's late red card.
The Czech scored either side of the interval to ensure the Ibrox side end the weekend still five points back from Celtic and Aberdeen.
Hagi, introduced at half-time to make his first appearance since last August following a contractual issue, assisted the second goal.
However, the Romanian's night ended badly, his high challenge on Benjamin Kimpioka's shin being upgraded from a yellow card after a VAR check.
Although stretched at times by St Johnstone's attacking intent in transitions and robust defending, Cerny's brilliant intervention broke the deadlock for Rangers.
Cyriel Dessers had already missed a glaring opportunity and James Tavernier had come close with a free-kick before the Czech took a grip of the game.
He saw an initial shot blocked, regathered possession and brilliantly nutmegged Sven Sprangler before executing an inch-perfect curling low shot.
It was exactly the type of moment his manager and Rangers fans will want more of.
Both sides made changes at the break. Connor Barron and Hagi came on for the hosts and Andy Kirk - in his last match as interim manager before Simo Valakari takes charge - bolstered his attacking options.
But St Johnstone could not find a way through.
Mackenzie Kirk had a header diverted behind but the contest was over when Hagi fed Cerny, he danced inside and out, and found the gap to slot in his second.
St Johnstone still had moments. Adama Sidibeh struck one just off target, then Kirk took the wrong choice allowing Butland to save.
Nicky Clark then thought he had set up a frantic finish when he slammed home an excellent finish, but was deemed offside.
The outcome was the right one despite a spirited St Johnstone effort.
This night was timely for Cerny. He repaid Philippe Clement's faith after recent criticism, particularly after his incredible miss in Thursday's 4-1 defeat by Lyon.
Cerny has an interesting start to life at Rangers. Some early promise, followed by reacting to his own fans, that miss, then deleting his Instagram .
The winger delivered here and it could be a massive moment for him. He showed the quality he has with his goals and made a bee-line for the manager after scoring.
Cerny looks like a confidence player and this should bring some.
The half-time return of Hagi offered another option for Clement. That will be delayed with suspension to now follow. The guy just cannot buy a break, it seems.
It is another league win that might have been more comfortable with another domestic clean sheet. That eases Rangers into the international break during which they can regroup before a tricky trip to Kilmarnock in two weeks.
This was night and day from the 6-0 Celtic horror show in St Johnstone's previous outing.
The visitors showed enough to suggest positive days may come once Valakari has time to impose his approach on this team.
They demonstrated intent to hit Rangers on the break and did create a number of moments that may have brought more.
They stood firm for the most part and defended very well at times, something that will be of use if they can deliver that consistently.
A moment of real quality unlocked them and fine margins cost them a route back into the game.
Their next fixture at home to Ross County will be key as they look to kick-start a revival and fresh start.
'Glasgow is not easy' - Philippe Clement on goalscorer Vaclav Cerny
Rangers manager Philippe Clement: "I still expect more but it's an important win and a deserved win. It's very positive that we get another clean sheet. It's important we continue in that way.
"He [Cerny] did a really good job, he was really down after Thursday. Glasgow is not easy when you miss a big chance on an important night. This is the best reaction you can have after a miserable evening."
Interim St Johnstone manager Andy Kirk: "The result was poor obviously, but there's things on the pitch the new manager will have seen that we can improve on.
"We made some mistakes and got punished - that tends to happen against the better teams, but there's a lot to work with. We will look to improve on those things and hopefully things will turn for us."
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 1 | 21 | 21 |
| |
| 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 6 | 9 | 21 |
| |
| 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 4 | 8 | 16 |
| |
| 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 8 | 3 | 13 |
| |
| 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 12 |
| |
| 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 11 | 14 | -3 | 8 |
| |
| 8 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 14 | -6 | 7 |
| |
| 7 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 12 | 14 | -2 | 6 |
| |
| 7 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 17 | -8 | 6 |
| |
| 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 11 | -5 | 5 |
| |
| 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 8 | 19 | -11 | 4 |
| |
| 8 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 15 | -9 | 2 |
|
Manager: Philippe Clement
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Andy Kirk
Formation: 5 - 3 - 2
Manager: Philippe Clement
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Andy Kirk
Formation: 5 - 3 - 2
Scottish Premiership
All competitions
All competitions
All competitions
Rangers have won each of their last six meetings with St. Johnstone in all competitions, their longest winning run over the Saints since a run of seven from August 1993 to November 1997.
St. Johnstone have lost each of their last six away league games against Rangers without scoring a single goal in the process.
Rangers have won back-to-back league games without conceding; only once since the start of last season have they won three in a row while keeping a clean sheet each time, doing so in January/February last term.
St. Johnstone have lost four of their last five league games (D1), while their 6-0 defeat at home to Celtic last time out was their heaviest in the Scottish Premiership since losing 7-0 to the same opponent in April 2022.
Tom Lawrence has scored in each of his last three league starts for Rangers (3 goals), suring his goal tally in the Scottish Premiership for the whole of last season (2). The last Welsh player to score in four successive starts in the competition was Christian Doidge for Hibernian in November/December 2019 (run of 5).
