Rangers held on to all their key players during the summer window, although highly-rated full-back Nathan Patterson did attract a bid.

Everton were the club strongly linked with the 19-year-old Scotland international, but manager Steven Gerrard says the offer received was "way off" Rangers' valuation.

St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson tells BBC Sportsound: "It's great to get the new contract finally sorted, I'm really excited about.

"The players have performed well and it's a big thanks to them I've got the new deal.

"It's a club massively in my heart and the players know I'm going to be here."

On the sales of key men Jason Kerr and Ali McCann, he adds: "It shows the players that we are a club where if you do really well you'll move on to bigger and better things.

"That's a great message."

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Neil McCann
Former Rangers winger on BBC Scotland

Remember Saints keeper Zander Clark popping up to score at Ibrox?

Well, the ball was actually knocked over the line by Chris Kane, but it was Clark's epic header that set up the last-gasp equaliser when the sides last met in April.

Clark wasn't done there, saving two penalties in the shootout as St Johnstone went on to win that Scottish Cup quarter-final and lift the trophy, adding to their League Cup success in a glory double.

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Allan Preston
Ex-St Johnstone defender on BBC Sportsound

St Johnstone took just one point from four league games against Rangers last season, Liam Craig's last-minute penalty earning a 1-1 draw in Perth in April.

Rangers are unbeaten in the last 10 meetings - winning seven - with Saints' last triumph coming in December 2017 at Ibrox.

The Perth men's wait for a home league win over the Ibrox club stretches way back to 2010, a barren run of 13 games.

A bumper Saturday Sportsound is now up and running at Radio Scotland and online.

Neil McCann and Allan Preston are the pundits for the upcoming live commentary of St Johnstone v Rangers, which is swiftly followed by open all mics from around the grounds.

There's also a separate live commentary of Celtic's home game with Ross County from 3pm, which can be accessed at the top of this page.

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A pre-match boost for St Johnstone as manager Callum Davidson pens a new deal keeping him in Perth until 2025.

Chairman Steve Brown hails Davidson as "the most successful manager in our history and one of the finest young managers in British football".

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard is back in the dugout today after he and several players missed the last two matches following a Covid outbreak at Ibrox.

The club didn't do too badly in their absence, reaching the Europa League groups with a draw in Armenia against Alashkert before beating Celtic 1-0 in the Old Firm derby.

That has Rangers tucked in a point behind top Hearts and Hibs, with Gerrard keen to be "hands on" again, adding: "The most pleasing thing was how we all stuck together. It wasn't just me that was missing.

"[Coaches] Michael (Beale) and Gary (McAllister) stepped forward tremendously well and the players followed them. It showed our strength as a club, that we could deal with adversity."

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It's a slightly new-look St Johnstone team after the deadline day departures of Jason Kerr and Ali McCann.

Shaun Rooney shifts to right centre-back with James Brown coming in on the right flank, with new signings Lars Dendoncker and Efe Ambrose on the bench.

Ali Crawford makes his debut in midfield, while Stevie May and Callum Hendry are replaced by Chris Kane and Michael O'Halloran in attack.

Connor Goldson's rare absence for Rangers means Leon Balougn moves to centre-half, and James Tavernier returns to right-back.

Calvin Bassey comes into the XI in place of Borna Barisic, while Jon McLaughlin replaces Robby McCrorie in goal after victory against Celtic.

How will St Johnstone fare without inspirational captain Jason Kerr and talisman Ali McCann?

The pair were sold to Wigan and Preston respectively on deadline day, leaving big shoes to fill at the cup double winners.

Boss Callum Davidson has urged his squad to grasp the opportunity to step up and prove they can fill the void.

He could certainly do with a quick impact from his raft of new signings with Saints still winless in 90 minutes this season.

St Johnstone: Clark, Rooney, Muller, McCart, Devine, Brown, Craig, Wotherspoon, Crawford, O'Halloran, Kane.

Substitutes: Parish, Dendoncker, Ambrose, Ballantyne, Gilmour, Vertainen, May.

Rangers: McLaughlin, Tavernier, Balogun, Helander, Bassey, Kamara, Davis, Aribo, Kent, Roofe, Morelos.

Substitutes: McGregor, Lundstram, Simpson, Wright, Sakala, Barisic, Arfield.

World Cup dreams can wait for now. After Scotland's success in the international break, the SPFL returns with a packed Saturday.

There's a cracker to kick things off as double cup winners St Johnstone host Premiership champions Rangers, followed by four games at 3pm.

There are also full cards in the lower leagues today, so stick with us for every goal, clanger and talking point.

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Connor Goldson had played every minute of Rangers last 81 competitive games. Some achievement. The defender misses out this afternoon, though.