Rangers manager Derek McInnes has warned his team to find a clinical edge in front of goal despite securing a dramatic victory against St Mirren.
Substitute Bojan Miovski came off the bench to score a late winner with a dinked finish, securing a fourth consecutive win for Rangers and keeping them five points behind title rivals Celtic in the Scottish Premiership race.
Despite the victory, McInnes expressed frustration after his side failed to capitalize on a dominant first half performance at Ibrox Stadium. Rangers wasted several gilt-edged chances before the interval, leaving the score balanced at 0-0 heading into the second half.
St Mirren came roaring back after the break and threatened to punish the hosts for their lack of composure. The Buddies created a brilliant opportunity to take the lead when Fraser Taylor broke through one-on-one, only for Rangers goalkeeper Ivor Pandur to deny him with an excellent save.
McInnes insisted it was a crime that his side did not go in at least one or two goals ahead at half-time, claiming the game should have been out of sight by that point.
Speaking after the match, McInnes acknowledged that his team got what they deserved despite a difficult spell during the second period.
"I thought we got what we deserved," McInnes said. "Granted, St Mirren had a 20-minute period in the second half when they were better than us. They played with a bit more belief and came after us and we were guilty of so many poor decisions. We were so reluctant to play forward quickly and invited them on to us with their press."
"But I thought the performance for the first hour was really strong, particularly the first half, where we absolutely battered St Mirren," he added. "We need to learn to kill teams when we have periods like that. But there's absolutely no question we deserved to win the game in the end."
McInnes also noted how dangerous it is to leave an opposition team in the game at Ibrox when failing to capitalize on dominance. "When you've been put through the wringer and you know you haven't been punished for it, it does give you power and belief that you can get something from it," he said. "But I think that the team that had the better chances and played the better football ultimately won the game. We just need to be more clinical."
Old Firm preparations and attack concerns
The victory comes at a crucial moment for Rangers as they prepare for a blockbuster Old Firm double-header against Celtic. The rivalry between Glasgow's two dominant football clubs is one of the most famous and intense in world sport, with every meeting having a major impact on the outcome of the Scottish Premiership title race.
Heading into the crucial derby fixture on Sunday, McInnes made clear that his forward line must sharpen up quickly if they are to maximize their chances against Celtic.
"There are obviously loads we have to improve on, but we have to keep winning while we are looking for those," McInnes said. "We were guilty of not passing forward and it can't always be about pretty patterns of play."
"We obviously have a huge game on Sunday now," McInnes continued. "This should give the players and the fans a real boost. I think you saw that with the scenes at the end."
Bojan Miovski comeback and striker competition
Match-winner Bojan Miovski proved to be the hero of the evening after coming off the bench to lift the ball past St Mirren goalkeeper Jacob Chapman. The North Macedonian international striker had appeared set to leave Ibrox toward the end of the transfer window, falling down the pecking order behind summer arrivals.
Miovski would currently be fifth-choice striker at Rangers if the entire squad were fully fit, having watched the club make major investments in fellow forwards Ryan Naderi and Youssef Chermiti.
McInnes praised the North Macedonian forward for seizing his opportunity after coming in from the cold. "It is just typical of football that a few weeks ago Bojan would have seemed so far out of it," McInnes said. "He's seen Naderi and Chermiti be big-money signings for the club and he knows, when you come to a club like Rangers, there's going to be competition."
The manager highlighted Miovski's proven scoring record in Scottish football, comparing his efficiency to that of Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland. "But, when you actually strip it back, his goals per minutes in the Premiership is top class. It's up there with Lawrence Shankland," McInnes said. "So I was delighted when I inherited someone like Bojan who knows his way about the Scottish Premiership and is a goalscorer and, played in the right manner and with the right partner, is capable of scoring goals."
Injury setbacks for Lawrence Shankland and Daisuke Yokota
Despite the positive result on the pitch, Rangers are facing significant injury concerns within their squad ahead of the upcoming fixtures.
McInnes confirmed that striker Lawrence Shankland will undergo surgery today on a hamstring injury sustained last weekend. The Scotland international forward faces a spell on the sidelines as he begins his recovery.
In a further blow to Rangers' attacking options, winger Daisuke Yokota will miss the next two to three months after suffering a severe groin injury. Yokota tore the muscle off the tendon in his groin and requires surgical repair.
Both Shankland and Yokota have traveled to London for their respective operations. "I think the surgeon is getting two for one," McInnes joked, before detailing the severity of Yokota's condition. "It's unfortunate for Yokota. He's torn the muscle off the tendon in his groin. It'll probably be about two or three months unfortunately."
Rangers will now focus on recovering ahead of Sunday's high-stakes clash against Celtic, aiming to close the five-point gap at the top of the Scottish Premiership table while managing a growing injury list.
