An uninspiring Rangers performance ends in defeat at the SMiSA Stadium for Philippe Clement's men to leave them 12 points behind Celtic in the Scottish Premiership table.
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00:00Well, full-time here from the Smyza Stadium in Paisley where it's finished.
00:04St Mirren 2, Rangers 1. Another huge setback for Philippe Clement's
00:11uninspiring side here in Paisley this afternoon. A late Caelan Boyd-Muntz
00:16winner for the Buddies ensures they move and solidify their place within the top
00:22six. It leaves Rangers 12 points adrift of league leader Celtic heading into the
00:29new year. They've got obviously an important doubleheader against
00:33Motherwell and Celtic on the horizon and a small matter of the January transfer
00:37window just around the corner as well. Rangers first half poor, lacking
00:45much quality in the final third. They tried their best to cause St
00:51Mirren's back line problems but were unable to do so. A couple of
00:56important saves made by Ellery Balcombe in the St Mirren goal kept Rangers at
01:01bay. The opener arrived just after the half-hour mark. It came from the penalty
01:06spot, Ocean Smythe tucking home for St Mirren after Jack Butland was booked for
01:12a clumsy foul on Greg Taley after rushing out of his penalty box and as he
01:18looked to win a high ball, Smythe sent Butland the wrong way from the
01:23spot. Rangers defensively at times looked suspect once again and there was
01:31a further injury concern. Liam Balligan forced off injured after just 18 minutes
01:36to be replaced by Robin Proper. That certainly leaves Clement short of
01:41defensive options heading into the new year and something he'll be keen to
01:46address in January you'd imagine with Balligan now expected to face a couple
01:51of weeks on the sidelines. Rangers after the break did improve. Nicholas
01:56Raskin and Danilo were both introduced at half-time and made a sure difference to
02:02Rangers attack and play. They did get themselves back on level terms after a
02:08period of sustained pressure. It was somewhat of a Golemouse scramble, a
02:13corner kick from James Tavenier not cleared by the St Mirren defence.
02:17Nicholas Raskin's effort was blocked, the ball fell loose to Danilo who was on
02:22home to fire into the bottom corner of the net. 1-1 it was until the 93rd
02:28minutes when Caelan Boyd-Muntz stepped off the bench for St Mirren to drill
02:33home what was a goal worthy of winning any game you must admit here. It was a
02:39terrific finish after Dujan Sterling lost possession deep inside his own half
02:44so a disappointing afternoon here once again for Rangers and a memorable
02:50victory for St Mirren and it's a result one as I said that left Rangers
02:5412 points adrift and with plenty of questions to answer heading into the new
03:00year.