#NotoNewco: Saints 5 Best matches v Rangers
With Glasgow Rangers on the brink of ceasing to exist, and being replaced in the SPL by ‘Club 12’ today, I thought it was time to have a look back at our less than glamorous history against the blue side of Glasgow. It hasn’t exactly been an illustrious history, with just under 80% of the matches played ending up with a victory to Rangers.
| Results | Total Wins | % |
| St. Johnstone | 14 | 10.29 |
| Rangers | 108 | 79.41 |
| Draws | 14 | 10.29 |
| Goals | Total Goals | Av.pg |
| St. Johnstone | 111 | 0.82 |
| Rangers | 356 | 2.62 |
But in amongst the horror shows (I am still trying to deny that we ever lost 7-0 at home) there have been some crackers, made all the sweeter by the wait… So without further ado, the top 5 moments v Rangers…
Number 5: Rangers 0 Saints 0
19th November 2011
Ok, so we didn’t win, but in the context of our season this was a huge result. With New manager Steve Lomas just installed during an International break, a baptism of fire awaited him at Ibrox. However, a battling display was a sign of what was to come, as Stevie guided us into the top 6 and Europe for just the 3rd time.
Official match report and from the BBC
Number 4: Saints 3 Rangers 3
14th February 1981
With Saints coming off 8 straight defeats against Rangers, this cup tie at Muirton Park was always going to be difficult, however it turned into one of the most entertaining games played against Rangers.
With the Saints falling 2 goals behind, a rousing comeback saw Saints leading 3-2 in the final minutes, only to be denied with a very late equalizer. Rangers subsequently won the replay at Ibrox 3-1 a few days later.
It is listed on the history section of the Official site with them saying this:
One of the most pulsating cup ties in the club’s history as Saints come within seconds of knocking Rangers out of the Scottish Cup at Muirton Park.
Number 3: Saints 4 Rangers 1
30th March 2010
A stranger to Saints will probably look at that scoreline and make sure it’s the right way round. I can assure you it is, as Saints recorded their biggest win over Rangers at McDiarmid Park. The league encounter had been postponed since February and the replay on a cold night left Rangers shell-shocked.
The runaway leaders of the SPL, Rangers maybe thought this would be easy, but a goal of the season contender from Sheridan opened the scoring, before Chris Millar scored a long range effort thanks to a huge deflection off old man Weir. Even Rangers pulling a goal back couldn’t halt the Saints charge, as Liam Craig and Murray Davidson rounded out a comprehensive thrashing of Rangers.
This line on the BBC live text commentary said it all:
2124: It’s a doing for Rangers. St Johnstone have been sharper, cleverer and hungrier.
Relive the goals on Youtube and read the WearePerth forum post for the game. Even the Sun had to give us credit…
Number 2: Saints 3 Rangers 1
4th April 1999
Saints went into this match, having been gubbed 7-0 on the same ground a few months earlier, and coming off the back of 2 bad defeats at Dunfermline and home to European rivals Kilmarnock, anything less than a win would leave us 6 points off that coveted 3rd place.
But with the mood buoyant, we took the match to Rangers, with Jim Weir opening the scoring with his head, and promptly celebrating with sheer passion, running the length of the Main Stand. Craig Moore equalised for Rangers in the 2nd half, before Miggy Simao used his belly button to poke (Welbeck eat your heart out) home a Roddy Grant cutback, before in the dying seconds Kieran ‘Keyring’ McAnespie broke clear and slotted home to send the Hvns home…
…as they left the stadium they did so to chants of ‘Easy, Easy, Easy’
Relive on the Temple of Saints, and my old All Saints site.
Number 1: Rangers 0 St.Johnstone 2
8th November 2006
This takes the number one spot, in honor of every Saints fan who had attended Ibrox since 1971. For every fan that had put up with the sectarian chants, the overzealous policing, the crappy seats in the corner. For every fan who had run the gauntlet back to their supporters coaches, or back to the car in the hope it was still there. For every fan who had seen defeat, after defeat after defeat. This was our revenge.
And it wasn’t just a fluke… on this CIS cup night, Saints humiliated Rangers on home turf, with Stevie ‘Savo’ Milne scoring two crackers, including an overhead kick, to give Saints their first win at Ibrox since April 1971 and our first ever cup win against The Forces of Darkness, sending the 1000 traveling fans ecstatic. All summoned up by this post from TempleofSaints on the forum;
Nothing more to add other than to say that tonight was the best feeling I’ve had as a Saints fan since the day we qualified for Europe. Sheer bloody perfection :***: :***: :***: :***: :***: :***:
You can relive it here, and here. Is it a coincidence that i couldn’t find a MSM link for this match?! Succulent lamb…
