Rangers climb to summit

05 April 2011 20:30

Rangers returned to the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League for the first time since Boxing Day with a 2-0 win over St Johnstone.

Walter Smith's men had squandered the opportunity to leap-frog rivals Celtic to the summit at the weekend but returned to winning ways in this 6pm kick-off in Perth.

Kyle Lafferty netted his eighth of the season, before Steven Naismith left it late to wrap up the win as Rangers moved a point clear at the top before Celtic face Hibernian on Wednesday.

Saints had a shout for a penalty early on when Danny Grainger appeared to be tripped in the box by Gregg Wylde but no spot-kick award was forthcoming from referee Crawford Allan.

Wylde then tried to turn provider for Lafferty with a long cross from the left but goalkeeper Peter Enckelman was first to the ball to prevent the big striker connecting with the header.

Lafferty was on target with 20 minutes gone when he pounced on a short headed pass-back from Grainger before rounding the goalkeeper and slotting into the back of the net.

Lafferty could have added to his tally when he ran onto a long ball from Sasa Papac but Dave Mackay was quick to react with the block to deny the Northern Irishman his second of the night.

Saints had a chance to level when Steven Whittaker failed to clear the danger sufficiently and the ball broke for Murray Davidson, whose shot was tipped just wide of the post by goalkeeper Allan McGregor.

The champions could have doubled their lead when Lafferty won a free-kick that was flighted into the box by Wylde only for David Weir to see his header crash off the post.

There appeared to be no way back for the home side when Rangers doubled their advantage with 83 minutes on the clock when a flick-on from Nikica Jelavic was met by Naismith and he rifled low past Enckelman to seal the win.

Source: PA