Rangers F.C. kept themselves firmly in the race for the Scottish Premiership title after securing a narrow 1–0 victory over St Mirren F.C. in Paisley, but the result has sparked renewed debate over several individual performances within the squad.
The decisive moment came when new signing Tuur Rommens scored his first goal for Rangers, finishing from close range after an excellent cross from Nicolas Raskin.
The win keeps Rangers within touching distance of league leaders Heart of Midlothian F.C. in a tightly contested title race, with just three points separating the top sides in the Scottish Premiership.
However, despite the crucial three points, the performance highlighted ongoing concerns about certain players — particularly captain James Tavernier.
Rangers captain struggling to justify attacking style
Tavernier has long been one of Rangers’ most influential players, producing extraordinary numbers for a full-back over the years.
Across 559 appearances, the defender has contributed an incredible 143 goals and 148 assists, making him one of the most productive defenders in modern Scottish football.
But his performance against St Mirren once again raised questions about whether his current playing style is still effective.
During the match, Tavernier saw plenty of the ball but struggled to turn that possession into meaningful attacking output.
Tavernier vs St Mirren
- Touches: 117
- Attempted crosses: 10
- Possession lost: 32 times
- Key passes: 3
- Big chances created: 0
- Assists: 0
While he remained heavily involved, the captain’s influence ultimately proved limited.
By comparison, goalscorer Rommens delivered a far more efficient performance. Despite having just 62 touches, the defender produced five key passes, created a major chance, and scored the winning goal — while losing possession only 11 times.
Those numbers highlight the growing concern around Tavernier’s high-risk, high-involvement style, which has seen him lose possession over 500 times in 28 league matches this season.
Summer decision looming for Rangers
Given Tavernier’s long-standing role at the club and his status as captain, he is still likely to remain in the starting lineup for the remainder of the season.
However, Rangers may need to seriously consider recruiting a new first-choice right-back in the summer transfer window.
At 34, Tavernier’s attacking output has begun to decline, and his attempts to dictate matches in the same way he has done for years are becoming less effective.
A more balanced full-back option could help Rangers maintain defensive solidity while still offering attacking support down the flank.
Defensive partnership raises new selection dilemma
While Tavernier’s performance sparked debate, another selection issue has emerged in central defence.
Manager Danny Röhl opted to start Nasser Djiga and Emmanuel Fernandez as the centre-back pairing against St Mirren — and the decision paid off.
The duo produced a composed defensive display to secure a clean sheet, continuing a growing trend in Rangers’ recent matches.
Notably, the club’s last three clean sheets have all come in games where experienced defender John Souttar did not start.
Rangers’ recent defensive record
| Match | Souttar starting | Goals conceded |
|---|---|---|
| St Mirren | No | 0 |
| Celtic (SFA Cup) | No | 0 |
| Celtic | Yes | 2 |
| Livingston | Yes | 2 |
| Hearts | Yes | 2 |
| Motherwell | Yes | 1 |
| Queen’s Park | No | 0 |
| Kilmarnock | Yes | 1 |
The statistics suggest Rangers have looked considerably more secure defensively without Souttar in the lineup.
Djiga’s pace changing Rangers’ defensive structure
One of the biggest advantages offered by Djiga is his recovery speed, which allows Rangers to push their defensive line higher up the pitch.
Against St Mirren, the Wolves loanee recorded six ball recoveries, helping Rangers recover possession quickly and prevent counter-attacks.
That pace complements Fernandez’s physical presence, creating a defensive partnership that appears better suited to Röhl’s tactical approach.
In contrast, Souttar’s lack of pace can make Rangers more vulnerable when opponents break quickly.
Title race leaves no room for mistakes
With the Scottish Premiership title race entering its decisive stage, Rangers cannot afford defensive weaknesses.
Every point is crucial with Hearts and other challengers close behind, meaning selection decisions could ultimately determine the destination of the title.
For that reason, Röhl may feel compelled to stick with the Djiga–Fernandez partnership for the remainder of the campaign — even if it means leaving experienced players like Souttar on the bench.
Big decisions ahead for Rangers
The victory over St Mirren was another important step in Rangers’ title challenge, but it also highlighted areas that still require attention.
Tavernier’s long-term role at the club may soon come under scrutiny, while Souttar’s place in the starting lineup appears increasingly uncertain.
For now, though, Rangers remain focused on the bigger picture: staying in the hunt for the Scottish Premiership crown.
And with the season reaching its climax, every selection decision could prove decisive