**Rangers Rout St Johnstone 3-0 to Reclaim Scottish Premiership Lead**
*Rangers returned to winning ways with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over St Johnstone at Ibrox, reclaiming the top spot in the Scottish Premiership.*
The match was a dominant display from Rangers, who controlled the game from the first whistle. Goals from Alfredo Morelos, James Tavernier, and a late strike from Kemar Roofe sealed the victory, leaving St Johnstone struggling to cope with the visitors' intensity.
Morelos opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a clinical finish, slotting the ball past the St Johnstone goalkeeper. Rangers' pressure told in the first half, and Tavernier doubled the lead just before halftime with a powerful strike from outside the box. St Johnstone, despite their best efforts, struggled to create chances and fell further behind when Roofe added a third goal in the 74th minute.
Key Performances:
- **Alfredo Morelos**: The Colombian striker was influential throughout, creating chances and finishing twice. His early goal set the tone for the match.
- **James Tavernier**: A standout performer, Tavernier’s second-half goal showcased his composure and attacking prowess.
- **Kemar Roofe**: A late substitute, Roofe made an immediate impact with his third goal of the season, capping off a fine team effort.
- **Rangers’ Defense**: The backline remained solid, dealing with St Johnstone’s attacks and turning defense into attack effectively.
Post-Match Reactions:
Rangers boss Steven Gerrard praised his side’s dominance, stating, “We controlled the game and showed our character. The players worked hard, and the result reflects our ability to adapt and perform under pressure.”
St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright, however, was left frustrated, admitting, “We didn’t do enough in the final third. Rangers were too good in the box and on the counter-attack. We’ll need to improve quickly for our next game.”
The win moves Rangers back to the top of the league table, with Celtic now in second place. St Johnstone, meanwhile, will need to regroup ahead of their next fixture.
This victory underscores Rangers’ current form and their growing confidence under Gerrard’s leadership. The team’s ability to maintain pressure and convert chances into goals was key to this success, and they’ll look to build on this performance in their next match.