Rangers will aim to bounce straight back from last weekend's Old Firm defeat when St Mirren visit Ibrox on Saturday afternoon.

Trailing Celtic by 12 points in the Scottish Premiership table, Rangers' title hopes have all but faded, although St Mirren still have plenty to play for.

Match preview

Granted, Rangers gave a good account of themselves at Parkhead last weekend, but Celtic flexed their muscles to claim a 3-2 victory while ending their rivals' chances of reigniting the title race.

James Tavernier made it 1-1 with a sublime free kick on the stroke of half time before scoring again late on, but Celtic managed to weather the storm and secure the Old Firm bragging rights.

Remarkably, Tavernier has now contributed 17 goals and seven assists from right-back in 2022-23, while only three players have scored more goals in the Scottish Premiership this season.

It is important to remember that Rangers notched 10 consecutive league wins prior to last weekend's defeat, while Michael Beale's boys enjoyed a 17-game unbeaten run before losing to Celtic, sealing 15 wins in the process.

Having lost just three of their 31 Premiership matches this term – picking up 24 victories along the way – the Gers will be confident of returning to winning ways at the first time of asking.

St Mirren head into Saturday's clash having achieved clean-sheet wins over Livingston and Hearts to remain within touching distance of the European places.

After defeating Livi 3-0 – thanks largely to a couple of Mark O'Hara penalties – the Buddies claimed a 2-0 victory over Hearts last time out, with Curtis Main and Alex Gogic grabbing the goals at Tynecastle.

Stephen Robinson's men have now won three of their last six matches, suffering a solitary defeat in the process, and they have also won five of their previous 10 league outings, keeping a clean sheet in four of those victories.

It is worth remembering, however, that St Mirren suffered a 4-0 thrashing at Ibrox back in October, as the visitors saw just 29% possession while facing a barrage of attacks throughout the contest.

Although the Buddies have improved on their travels in recent times – taking eight points from their last five away outings – they could struggle to extend their unbeaten run on the road to four games this weekend.

Team News

Steven Davis and Nnamdi Ofoborh remain long-term absentees for Rangers, while Filip Helander, Kemar Roofe and Tom Lawrence are also sidelined through injury at the moment.

Having scored 17 goals in all competitions this season, Antonio Colak could replace Alfredo Morelos in the starting XI, with Bayern Munich loanee Malik Tillman – who has notched 12 goals and five assists this term – operating behind the striker.

Ryan Kent and Todd Cantwell are expected to occupy the wide attacking areas for the hosts, while Ben Davies will continue to partner John Souttar at centre-back.

St Mirren, meanwhile, will be without the injured duo of Jonah Ayunga and Richard Tait for the foreseeable future.

Mark O'Hara has netted four goals across the past four games and will continue to anchor the Buddies' midfield, alongside Australia international Keanu Baccus.

Having provided one goal and two assists in the previous three matches – taking his tally for the season to seven goals and five assists – Curtis Main will aim to enhance his record against Rangers.

Rangers possible starting lineup:
McGregor; Tavernier, Souttar, Davies, Barisic; Jack, Raskin; Cantwell, Tillman, Kent; Colak

St Mirren possible starting lineup:
Carson; Fraser, Shaughnessy, Dunne; Strain, Baccus, Gogic, O'Hara, Small; Watt, Main

We say: Rangers 3-0 St Mirren

Regardless of St Mirren's recent form, we expect Rangers to secure a comfortable victory on Saturday, with the hosts expected to put last weekend's Old Firm failure behind them in style.

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