St Mirren's Toyosi Olusanya celebrates after scoring to make it 2-0SNS

Mikael Mandron (left) and Toyosi Olusanya (right) grabbed the goals for St Mirren

Cam Wanstall
BBC Sport Scotland

Rangers' turbulent campaign took another lurch downwards as St Mirren won in Glasgow to record back-to-back victories over the Ibrox club for the first time since the 1979-80 season.

Mikael Mandron fired in on 51 minutes, celebrating exuberantly after his initially disallowed strike was eventually awarded by referee Kevin Clancy after consulting the monitor.

Fresh off the bench, striker Toyosi Olusanya delicately curled in the visitors' second of the afternoon to seal three points with 20 minutes left to play and move the Paisley club into the Scottish Premiership's top six.

The defeat - coming two weeks after the Scottish Cup humbling by Queen's Park - is Rangers' first in 10 league matches and keeps them 13 points behind Celtic after their defeat earlier in the day.

Just this week, chief executive Patrick Stewart said Rangers had opted to keep manager Philippe Clement despite the "disastrous" Scottish Cup loss because of "the long-term interests of the club, not to save money".

But, if the manner in which Rangers fans streamed out of Ibrox long before the end and the noise that greeted the performance are anything to go by, the pressure on the Belgian will only intensify this week.

A settled start from Rangers was nearly dashed by aimless distribution from Jack Butland. The keeper's wayward pass found the feet of Jonah Ayunga, whose lashed effort forced a strong stop, before Mandron fired over on the rebound.

Two minutes later Rangers showed their threat, as Vaclav Cerny tested Zach Hemming with a stinging shot after chopping inside from the right; the first of a handful of opportunities the hosts failed to capitalise on.

On the cusp of half-time referee Clancy wasted no time in brandishing a straight red card at Hamza Igamane following his late lunge on Mark O'Hara. However, he was summoned to the screen and downgraded the dismissal to a yellow card.

It would not be the last time the referee reviewed a decision on the screen.

Not long after, VAR intervened once more before St Mirren were awarded a goal after Mandron fired low beyond Butland after it was deemed that Clinton Nsiala had tripped himself and had not been fouled by the scorer.

Cyriel Dessers fired wide on 65 minutes and Rangers were made to rue that chance, as Olusanya netted five minutes later. The substitute striker brushed off Nsiala with ease before curling in the away side's second.

Rangers fail across all areas

Despite the defeat being their first league loss of 2025, an all-round poor performance from every Rangers starter warranted the vocal response

Hamza Igamane brought unpredictability - but little accuracy - to the Rangers trio in behind Cyriel Dessers, as Ianis Hagi and Vaclav Cerny brought technical ability but zero spark on the flanks.

While Dessers was consistently making sharp movements in behind, he failed to get on the end of the majority of deliveries and his threat was quelled by Alex Gogic.

It wasn't any better for Rangers at the back. With four centre-back options injured, Clinton Nsiala started but the young Frenchman was at fault for both goals.

Credit can only be given to Nicolas Raskin, who battled well at the base of the midfield against brawny Mandron, consistently getting the better of St Mirren's number nine when the two clashed.

Memorable win secured by attacking forces

After failing to score in their last two league outings, Mandron and Jonah Ayunga started together as a two up top and excelled.

Mandron dropped deeper, holding up the ball and utilising both Ayunga and overlapping wing-back Ryan Alebiosu well to carry the ball up the pitch.

Olusanya netted within five minutes of his introduction, as he perfectly replicated the pace and pressing nous of the substituted Ayunga.

Cypriot defender Gogic also impressed. He sat deeper than the rest of the back four, allowing him to pick up Dessers and sweep up the majority of the dangerous deliveries whipped in by the hosts.

The memorable away win lifts St Mirren into sixth place.

While they remain closer to 10th than fourth on points, this performance will give supporters belief of rising up the table rather than tumbling.

What they said

Rangers manager Philippe Clement: "We were very nervous from the start on the ball, which created chances for the opponent. We had spells where we were better. But, by far, not good enough for the standards of Rangers.

"It is difficult to explain. Was it that they wanted to do too good, react, and give the fans much more?

"We need to look at the root of the problem. It is my responsibility to get them with the right mindset on the pitch.

"I can only say sorry and apologise [to the Rangers fans] from me and the team. This is not what Rangers teams need to show on the pitch. We all know this was by far below the standards we all expect."

St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson: "We have never stopped believing.

"This group of players have raised expectations beyond everyone's imagination. They came here confident. We showed real quality on the ball. Our press and how aggressive we were was excellent and the players deserve every amount of praise.

"We did not feel under any pressure and probably could have had more goals.

"Tough times don't last but tough people do. We are a team who have nothing to lose. We have a side capable of challenging for the top six."

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