Rangers have moved two points clear of Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership with a hard-fought 3-0 victory at McDiarmid Park against a dogged St Johnstone side.
Philippe Clement had spoken in the build-up about the need to maintain the standards they had set and they managed to do that in the end on a challenging playing surface.
For Craig Levein, his side can take encouragement from their display, which limited the Light Blues chances in the first half.
It was going to take something special to break the deadlock and January signing Mohamed Diomande was the man to provide it eight minutes before the interval, taking a touch before unleashing a spectacular strike from 25 yards that flew past Dimitar Mitov in the Saints goal.
A pair of late penalties for James Tavernier, given for an Andy Considine foul on Dujon Sterling and a Luke Robinson handball respectively, put the gloss on the scoreline but it was a moderately comfortable afternoon for the visitors, who can now celebrate going top of the pile after fierce rivals Celtic were held at home by Kilmarnock yesterday.
It's been a sensational Sunday for Rangers supporters so stick with us as we bring you all the reaction LIVE right here.
Key Events
Tav at the double
James Tavernier scored his 120th goal for Rangers to draw him level with John Greig as the joint highest scoring defender. The captain spoke to Sky Sports about the victory as they moved top of the table.
We came here to get three points. It was a tough game with the pitch but we dealt with it rally well and kept on going. It was a great goal from Dio to start us off and we kept on asking questions. The scoreline could have been more but we’re delighted to get the clean sheet and three points. We’re always asking questions and Dio popped up with a great strike and goal.
My first penalty I knew where I was going and the second was on the spot thinking where I would put it. I said a while ago there’s plenty of games to play and there’s still plenty to play. We have to focus on ourselves and concentrate game by game and keep focusing and winning games best we can. We need to stay focused and knuckle down. We’ve kept building momentum and we’re getting stronger and stronger. The new lads like Dio and Oscar have come in and settled in really well and we’re working well as a team.
Mohamed Diomande was named man of the match after his brilliant opening goal and is delighted with the early part of his Ibrox career.
I feel good, I feel happy. It was a good moment and I’m happy with my first goal. It’s been amazing. My team-mates are helping me. That was my first start in the Scottish league and Im happy to help my team-mates.
3 talking points
It was a tough game for Rangers but they won the game - and are now at the Premiership summit.
FT: St Johnstone 0-3 Rangers
It's full-time at McDiarmid Park as Rangers secure top spot in the Premiership with a 3-0 victory. Goals from Mohamed Diomande and a double from the spot from James Tavernier give the visitors the points.
Sterling juggernaut
Dujon Sterling has an absolutely lung-bursting run down the right hand side for Rangers as they seek out a fourth of the afternoon but his cross is just behind Dessers.
Dessers denied again
It's another good run from Dessers as he gets himself clear of his defender and there's a little tug on his jersey before he gets his shot away, but it's blocked away and the chance is gone.
Make that eight
It's actually eight minutes of added time after the fourth official got the number wrong on the subs board.
Seven minutes added on
We're now into seven minutes of additional time as Rangers look for more on the attack.
GOAL: St Johnstone 0-3 Rangers
Tavernier steps up once more and smashes his penalty into the corner on the other side this time, with Mitov again going the right way but again unable to keep it out.
St Johnstone 0-3 Rangers as the Ibrox side will surely now move top of the league.
VAR Check: PENALTY TO RANGERS
The referee agrees with the review suggestion and awards the penalty for handball.
VAR Check: Potential Penalty
There's another on-field review for a penalty as the referee's called over to the monitor to take a look at that handball incident.
CROSSBAR: Rangers
Goldson strikes the bar with a header from a Rangers free-kick as the visitors try to add a third. The ball falls for Ross McCausland who lays it off for Lawrence for a shot, which he claims hits the hand of Luke Robinson.
Massive chance for Dessers
The Nigerian striker does well latch onto a Saints mistake and he's clean through bearing down on goal. But in a sight all-too-familiar for Rangers fans this season, Dessers wants far too much time to get his shot away, electing to try and go round the keeper, but by the time he does so he's caught by the Saints defender and the chance is snuffed out.
Switches for both
Borna Barisic comes off for Ridvan Yilmaz for the visitors while former Rangers striker Nicky Clark comes on for Adama Sidibeh for the hosts.
GOAL: St Johnstone 0-2 Rangers
Tavernier steps up and dispatches the penalty to the keeper's left with Mitov going the right way, but unable to keep it out. Is that the goal that will send Rangers top?
St Johnstone 0-2 Rangers.
VAR Check: PENALTY TO RANGERS
The penalty is awarded after an on-field review and Rangers have a chance to extend their lead in this match.
VAR Check: Potential Penalty
The referee is called over to the monitor for an on-field review. What will his decision be?
Penalty shout for Rangers
Sterling does brilliantly to charge down a St Johnstone clearance and chases his own chargedown to get to the ball in front of Considine's challenge, going down under it.
The initial call is no penalty, but there's a VAR check going on.
Lundstram heads behind
It's a great delivery from Smith which Lundstram gets across to nod over his own bar for a corner.
Saints free-kick
It's the hosts' turn for a dangerous set-piece, just outside the left corner of the box, which Matt Smith will take.
Barisic denied
The Croatian full-back is on target from the free-kick but it's not quite in the corner with power and Mitov can move his feet well to gather it.
Phillips booked
Rangers have a free-kick in a dangerous area, just over 20 yards from goal as Tom Lawrence is brought down by Dan Phillips, who goes into the book.
It was a lovely flick round the corner from Dessers that set the Welshman in motion and this is a big chance for Rangers.
Double sub for Rangers
Fabio Silva is swapped for Cyriel Dessers, while Ross McCausland comes on to replace Oscar Cortes with 68 minutes on the clock as Rangers seek to freshen things up.
Sterling struggling on the wing
It's another position ticked off for Dujon Sterling as he's lined up on the right wing this time after his introduction, but he's lacked the killer instinct of a natural winger, such as his Chelsea namesake Raheem, with those couple of chances and Rangers are looking to make a change.
Sterling snuffed out again
Rangers are pressing for a second here and Fabio Silva plays a neat little ball over the top for the run of Sterling, but he just can't get his feet set in the box looking for a finish and it's eventually nicked off his toes and cleared.
Corner for Saints
Graham Carey's shot from distance is deflected behind for another corner and it's the former Plymouth man who takes it himself, but the short corner routine doesn't come off and it's eventually out for a goal kick.
Considine down
There's a bit of a break as Andy Considine receives treatment after picking up a knock after challenging Sterling, while Todd Cantwell has his hamstring iced up on the sidelines in what looks like a precautionary measure.
Rangers sub
It's another change for Rangers as we approach 59 minutes on the clock and it's Todd Cantwell who's replaced by Tom Lawrence, with Cantwell receiving a quiet word and a hug from his manager as he comes off the pitch.
Free-kick for Rangers
It's another set-piece chance for Rangers as John Lundstram is fouled by Phillips. It's Barisic who takes it and finds Goldson, but he can't get the required power on the header and it's an easy take for Mitov.
Saints fighting hard
The home side are snapping into their challenges in recent moments, winning the ball hard, but fair as they look to put their opponents under a bit of pressure as they try and fight their way back into the contest.
Big chance for Sterling
Dujon Sterling is presented with a great opportunity to extend the Rangers lead but can only head wide from three yards out after holding off Robinson well to meet Cantwell's flat cross.
Big chance for the visitors there.
