THIS ONE'S ON BLUE

Blunders cost Gers precious points, no question

JACK BUTLAND and Dujon Sterling had to accept accountability.

In a week where Ibrox chiefs contacted the SFA to ask questions over officiating, the team on the pitch had no answers. It was jubilant St Mirren who had all of them.

Rangers' defeat was purely on themselves. Their keeper gave away a penalty during a woeful opening period then a late howler from their defender sealed the team's fate.

Butland had to race away before last weekend's game against Dundee with a new baby on the way as Rangers briefly made some ground in the title race.

This time, he made another dash which helped Celtic move 12 points clear at the top.

Butland's error of judgment and concession of a first-half penalty which Oisin Smyth stylishly sank saw Rangers trail. Philippe Clement needed the right response and got it after the restart thanks to his half-time switches.

Subs Nico Raskin and Danilo injected life into Gers and the Brazilian bagged his fourth in five games to secure a fully merited leveller.

But, in the end, another awful blunder left them defeated by Saints in the league for the first time in 13 years.

Sterling was mugged in his own half in the closing stages and that led to a winner from sub Caolan Boyd-Munce which sparked scenes of wild joy in the home stands.

For Stephen Robinson, it was a terrific victory for a side firmly in form as the Buddies racked up their third win in a row. The Paisley team gave their visitors a torrid time prior to the interval.

They had to ride their luck at times after the restart but also hit the woodwork before Boyd-Munce won it.

It was another huge stride in the right direction for Saints but a massive Rangers misstep entirely of their own making.