Rangers beat St Mirren to close gap on Celtic

Rangers beat St Mirren 2-0 in Paisley on Saturday, with a Ryan Naderi penalty and a deflected Dan Neil strike earning the visitors a Scottish Premiership win that moved them within a point of leaders Celtic.

Naderi converted from the spot in the first half after James Penrice went down under a challenge from Samuel Ramos. Referee Nick Walsh awarded the penalty, and a VAR review upheld the decision. St Mirren players protested the call. Naderi sent goalkeeper Jacob Chapman the wrong way to score.

Neil, back in the starting lineup as captain, made it 2-0 in the 61st minute. His shot from the edge of the penalty area took a deflection off Calvin Ramsay and wrong-footed Chapman.

The result extended Rangers’ unbeaten run to 12 matches. Reports described the run as either domestic or in all competitions. Rangers had drawn their previous two away league games, against Dundee and Hearts, before winning in Paisley.

St Mirren appealed for a penalty after a Ramos header appeared to strike Naderi’s hand, but the appeal was dismissed. The hosts had a late opportunity when substitute Eseosa Sule met a cross from Declan John, but Rangers goalkeeper Ivor Pandur saved his effort. Rangers held on...