St Johnstone vs Rangers

Rangers face a trip to St Johnstone in the Scottish Cup on Saturday, so we simulated the game to predict the final score as the holders bid to retain their ...

Despite being reduced to nine men for 30 minutes of the game, Beale's substitutes worked fantastically as the Light Blues defended their lead in the simulation. But, in added time at the end of the first half, Rangers were reduced to 10 men after James Tavernier received his marching orders for what was judged a dangerous challenge on Adam Montgomery. One-on-one with the 'keeper, Morelos fired into the bottom corner to make it 3-2 and hand his side the lead. Without taking a touch, the Englishman curled a fantastic strike into the top corner to level the game. But, attention for [Michael Beale’s](https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/all-about/michael-beale) side now turns to the [Scottish Cup i](https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/all-about/scottish-cup)n the first of two consecutive games against St Johnstone. It was a deserved lead for Beale's side, but in the 40th minute, the Light Blues found themselves 2-1 down. But, just before the break, Rangers recovered as they found the equaliser through Ryan Kent. The Light Blues won the Scottish Cup last season, beating Hearts 2-0 in the final in extra time. But, the lead arrived moments later as the striker made up for his miss with an assist. [ Rangers ](https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/all-about/rangers-fc)and the Saints ended in a 2-1 defeat for the Gers in what was their second defeat all season. [Alfredo Morelos](https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/all-about/alfredo-morelos) brace either side of a [Ryan Kent](https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/all-about/ryan-kent) strike secured a 3-2 win over Kilmarnock in the Light Blues ’ last outing, but despite victory again, the nine-point gap between the Gers and [Celtic](https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/all-about/celtic-fc) remained. Rangers will be looking to maintain their defence of the Scottish Cup trophy on Saturday when they face St Johnstone in the Scottish Cup fourth round.

A home tie is all Rangers could reasonably hope to have been handed at the start of their Scottish Cup defence.

“Obviously it's nice for us because for our players we can go there and know the crowd is going to be behind us and supporting us,” added Beale. Not involved at McDiarmid Park, nor anywhere for at least four weeks, will be striker Kemar Roofe, who injured a shoulder in the League Cup semi-final win over Aberdeen last weekend. [Callum Davidson](/topic/callum-davidson) has done his best to ease relations between the fanbase and the club but even so, the expectation is that tonight's match will be played in front of the smallest-ever home crowd at McDiarmid Park. St Johnstone have all but surrendered home advantage by giving three stands to Rangers fans and restricting home supporters to only the main stand. We have had some really difficult away games recently, obviously with the weather and changes in pitches and all that. As much as he has been almost faultless while re-igniting a Rangers side that had become moribund under Van Bronckhorst, this is the first time Beale has faced a situation where he can only mess up his predecessor’s good work.

RANGERS begin their defence of the Scottish Cup this evening in Perth against St Johnstone.It will feel like a home game for Michael Beale's side afte.

- St Johnstone vs Rangers is live on Viaplay Sports 1. - St Johnstone vs Rangers kicked off at 5.30pm. St Johnstone vs Rangers LIVE: Stream, TV channel, score and teams for Scottish Cup tie