Rangers defeated St Mirren 5-1 at Ibrox to advance to the Premier Sports Cup quarter-finals and earn manager Derek McInnes his first victory.
The five-goal performance ended a four-match winless start for McInnes at the fifth time of asking, easing pressure on the new manager after a turbulent opening to the season in Glasgow.
While the victory does not repair the damage of last midweek's Europa League exit to Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok or close the five-point gap behind Celtic after two Scottish Premiership matches, it provides crucial respite. The win builds confidence ahead of Thursday's Europa Conference League qualifier against Czech side Jablonec.
McInnes shifted Rangers to a 4-3-3 formation, delivering a far greater threat in attack and a better balance across the pitch. The tactical change allowed new signing James Penrice to star on his debut after joining on loan from Greek club AEK Athens.
Early Rangers dominance and spectacular opener
McInnes made three changes to the starting line-up following the European elimination against Jagiellonia Bialystok, bringing in Penrice, Tochi Chukwuani, and Vanja Dragojevic.
St Mirren arrived in Govan in confident form under manager Craig McLeish. The Paisley side had won their opening two league fixtures and five of their first six matches in all competitions this season. As defending Premier Sports Cup champions after beating Celtic at Hampden last December, the Buddies sought to exploit Rangers' recent struggles.
St Mirren created the first opportunity after five minutes when striker Eseosa Sule turned Olwethu Makhanya inside out before firing just wide. Rangers responded through Dragojevic, who was deployed in his preferred central midfield position for the first time in his Ibrox career. Ryan Naderi laid the ball off for the Serbian midfielder, but Dragojevic dragged his initial shot wide.
Rangers took the lead in the ninth minute following a mistake by St Mirren defender Jayden Richardson. Richardson miscued a backpass, allowing Djeidi Gassama to race through on goal. St Mirren goalkeeper Jacob Chapman saved Gassama's initial effort, but Naderi bundled the ball home to score his first Rangers goal since early April.
Ten minutes later, Rangers doubled their advantage with an exceptional strike. St Mirren failed to clear their lines, and the ball fell to Dragojevic 25 yards out. The midfielder controlled the ball on his chest and unleashed a dipping right-foot volley into the top corner, prompting McInnes to roar and punch the air on the touchline.
St Mirren fightback before half time
Rangers continued to press, and Gassama nearly added a third goal when his curling shot hit the underside of the crossbar. However, defensive vulnerabilities resurfaced for the home side, with defender Manny Fernandez struggling against St Mirren's attack. The defender's lackadaisical play allowed the visitors opportunities, contrasting with earlier transfer reports linking him to Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund.
St Mirren pulled a goal back on the half-hour mark following a midfield mix-up between Nico Raskin and Dragojevic. Saints midfielder Chris Mochrie collected the loose ball, drove forward, and drilled a precise shot in off the underside of the bar to make it 2-1.
The goal unsettled Rangers, who lost their momentum and looked vulnerable during the final 10 to 15 minutes before the interval.
Penrice inspires second-half double
Rangers regained control shortly after the restart with a quickfire double that settled the Ibrox crowd. Penrice, a 27-year-old left-back who joined on loan with an option for Rangers to make the transfer permanent next summer, produced an outstanding debut performance.
Early in the second half, Penrice sparked a rapid counter-attack by playing an intelligent first-time pass into the path of Gassama. The forward moved clear and slotted a low shot past Chapman to restore Rangers' two-goal lead.
Minutes later, Penrice capped his debut by scoring Rangers' fourth goal himself. The defender advanced into the penalty area and smashed a powerful shot into the net to make it 4-1.
Penalty retake save and McCausland fifth
St Mirren were offered a route back into the match when Fernandez tripped Sule inside the penalty area. Killian Phillips stepped up and sent his spot-kick into the net. However, referee John Beaton ordered the penalty to be retaken because he had not blown his whistle prior to the kick. Rangers goalkeeper Ivor Pandur saved Phillips' second attempt to preserve the three-goal cushion.
With victory secured, McInnes introduced substitutes as Rangers played with freedom. Winger Ross McCausland, who spent last season on loan in Cyprus, came off the bench and lashed home a fifth goal to complete the scoring.
European focus for McInnes
The victory ends St Mirren's reign as Premier Sports Cup champions and sends Rangers into the quarter-finals of the competition.
While the Europa Conference League is not the tournament Rangers aimed for at the start of the campaign, the competition provides McInnes with an opportunity to build momentum ahead of future European campaigns in the Europa League and Champions League. Rangers must now build on this performance both domestically and in Europe as they prepare to face Jablonec on Thursday night.
