Rangers 2-0 St Mirren: Player ratings as Goldson and debutant Barisic shine

Rangers are still yet to play 45 minutes of league football this season with eleven men, but we’re still four points to the good and ahead of Celtic for the first time since the unpleasantness of 2012.

Here’s how our players fared...

Allan McGregor 7.5

Still looks a much more calming presence on both our defence and fans than Wes Foderingham ever was. Did everything asked of him although St Mirren never truly tested him.

Jon Flanagan 7.0

Was as solid as expected. He’s been of limited use in getting forward but giving the man disadvantage, could hardly be expected to let rip today.

Nikola Katic 7.1

Solid as ever. Looking like the signing of the summer.

Connor Goldson 8.1

Probably his best game in a Rangers shirt, comfortable in defence and bagging a goal at the other end too. Looking well worth the significant fee.

Borna Barisic 8.2

A superb debut until he was hooked for James Tavernier. Swept up everything at the back and put in some superb deliveries, especially for Goldson’s goal.

Lassana Coulibaly 7.8

Another excellent performance from the midfielder, who simply dominates games. Physical, intelligent and powerful, while pretty tidy on the ball too. Everything Rangers need from a player in his position, particularly in the situation that came up today.

Ross McCrorie 6.2

McCrorie is so absurdly good at winning the ball that he often flies into tackles that appear to have zero prospect of him winning the ball, only for him to cleanly take it and come away with possession. So it was perhaps no surprise that he made such a risky challenge today. There can be few complaints about the red card, and he’d have been better letting McGregor face the clear chance, which is a shame - he was playing very well up until he made the error. Rangers saw things out, but it’s a pity that his mistake prevented us from really showing what we can do.

Ryan Kent 6.4

His intensity, determination and pace often lead to him getting into good positions, but he is too frequently wasteful once he gets there to stay in this Rangers team. Needs to improve his final ball and decision making drastically.

Ovie Ejaria 6.7

Ejaria was fine with a man town, keeping hold of the ball and working very diligently. The problem is that he doesn’t seem to be able to do much else - like Jason Holt and Gedion Zelalem before him, his vision and execution leaves his range of passing too small to excel in the role he plays in, and unless he can improve we should be looking at a better rounded midfielder to fill the spot, or else move him deeper.

Jamie Murphy 6.5

Frustrating again, as he has been for much of the season, often getting into good positions but cutting back and allowing the opposition defence to regain their organisation. If he can cut that out, his efficacy would be tripled.

Alfredo Morelos 8.1

Another excellent display from a man now very much in-form. Could have produced a couple of better finishes and touches over the course of the game but he is exactly what you want for a lone striker. If he can stay fit, happy and in form then we are looking very, very good to challenge for the title.