Cyriel Dessers saved Rangers’ Scottish Premiership title problem alive as he headed in a late winner to clinch a 2-1 victory in opposition to St Mirren.

Trailing Celtic by three factors, Philippe Clement’s aspect knew solely a win would do as they appear to reclaim the trophy from their Outdated Agency rivals.

St Mirren’s James Bolton poked the ball into his personal internet to place the guests forward however Mikael Mandron despatched a superb header in off the publish to drag them stage virtually immediately.

Stephen Robinson’s aspect had their probabilities earlier than Dessers rose to go residence from James Tavernier’s cross in what may show a pivotal purpose in an thrilling title battle.

The end result pulled Rangers stage with Celtic forward of their sport at Dundee afterward Sunday, whereas St Mirren stay fifth as they chase a European place for subsequent season.

Rangers maintain title problem alive

St Mirren nonetheless have a lot to play for after securing one other top-six end and created the primary likelihood of the sport as Jack Butland pulled off a great save to disclaim Mandron within the first minute.

John Lundstram tried his luck from the sting of the field for Rangers, however his curling effort was simply vast of the publish.

It was end-to-end and Mandron compelled Butland into one other save simply minutes later earlier than Zach Hemming was compelled into motion to disclaim Dessers.

Hemming reacted once more to maintain the sport stage as he saved out a Lundstram volley earlier than denying James Tavernier’s long-range strike.

St Mirren ought to have had a lead on the half-hour mark however Conor McMenaman fired over from shut vary and Rangers took benefit of that let-off by taking the lead simply moments later when Bolton put the ball into his personal internet.

Mohamed Diomande headed Borna Barisic’s cross again throughout purpose and Bolton obtained the final contact whereas Dessers closed in.

However St Mirren fought again and located themselves stage quickly after when a Mandron’s header hit the within the publish earlier than discovering the again of the online to make it 1-1.

And they need to have been in entrance simply earlier than half-time however Butland pulled off a terrific save to disclaim a close-range effort from Bolton in injury-time.

Either side had probabilities within the second half with Cantwell coming shut for Rangers and O’Hara for St Mirren.

Rangers began to dominate possession and so they took the lead once more via Dessers who struck from shut vary to make it 2-1.

Tavernier despatched a pinpoint cross to the again publish and the Nigeria ahead nodded it residence for his twentieth of the season with quarter-hour remaining.

Clement: It is nearly successful

Rangers supervisor Philippe Clement advised Sky Sports activities:

“You must take the three factors and we did.

“It is a tough place to come back to, they don’t have anything to lose as their season is already a hit and so they go full within the combat.

“We get probabilities to attain extra, they get probabilities and Jack [Butland] saved a couple of good balls however on the finish it is about successful and we took the three factors.

“I feel if you wish to win trophies you want a great goalkeeper and a great striker who scores sufficient targets.

“It is not solely Cyriel [Dessers] scoring targets however he is already taken 20 in order that’s a great quantity. We’re not solely targeted on Cyriel scoring targets, he must do different issues additionally.”

‘Dessers’ mentality is essential’

Sky Sports activities pundits Kris Boyd, James McFadden and Charlie Mulgrew focus on the significance of Cyriel Dessers within the title run-in:

Kris Boyd:

“He is been criticised for probabilities missed, however he was introduced in with the likes of Sam Lammers and Danilo and been the one there to really miss the probabilities whereas scoring others.

“He is been the person that is needed to carry the can for Rangers and he is completed that. He is stood up and been counted and walks away once more with one other winner at present.

“He is a handful and he’ll be wanting to complete the season strongly with trophies.”

James McFadden:

“The essential factor for Cyriel Dessers is that he places himself again in there after he is missed an opportunity, he retains going again in, he retains placing himself ready to overlook the prospect.

“He is obtained his reward, 20 targets is an effective return for quantity of criticism he is acquired this season.

“When you watched him and did not know his purpose tally, and also you decide him on individuals’s opinions you’d guess he hadn’t scored any targets, however he is obtained 20 targets, which is a good achievement.”

Charlie Mulgrew:

“You might want to have that character to play for Celtic or Rangers and I feel the important thing factor is the mentality of Dessers.

“He’ll know the stick he is been getting, he’ll be feeling the stress he is below from the Rangers followers and to attain 20 targets is sensible.”

What’s subsequent?

St Mirren return to motion on Could 4 at Dundee. Kick-off 3pm.

Rangers’ subsequent Scottish Premiership match is at residence to Kilmarnock on Could 5, dwell on Sky Sports activities. Kick-off 1pm.

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