Rangers made it back-to-back home defeats with a 0-2 reverse to St Mirren at Ibrox this afternoon, with fans making their feelings loud and clear at full-time.
Having seen Celtic fall to a 2-1 defeat in the lunchtime kick-off at Easter Road, Rangers fans were full of optimism come 3pm, but that was soon extinguished by a stellar Saints performance.
All the pre-match talk had centred on the sensational takeover story that Record Sport broke earlier this week, with the San Francisco 49ers' investment group in advanced talks over a takeover, but a miserable first-half showing soon saw the players getting pelters from the punters.
Hamza Igamane was shown a straight red card towards the end of a first half that saw little action, before referee Kevin Clancy was invited to the VAR monitors for a review, which led to him overturning his decision.
St Mirren took a firm hold of the game early in the second half as Mickael Mandron opened the scoring with a tidy finish that was initially disallowed for a foul on Clinton Nsiala before a lengthy VAR check gave the goal. Toyosi Olusanya completed the scoring 20 minutes from time as he outmuscled the young Frenchman again before finishing tidily past Jack Butland.
Visiting boss Stephen Robinson was celebrating three years in the Buddies' dugout and his tactics were spot on as they picked up their second win of the season over Rangers. The front two caused the cobbled-together Rangers backline problems all afternoon, and They're seeking a return to winning form after a recent flatline and a big result at Ibrox would tee them up nicely for a European push.
For Philippe Clement it's another case of home discomforts for his side with a defeat that will surely pile more pressure on the beleaguered Belgian.
It's been another south side shocker for Rangers, but stick with us as we bring you all the reaction from Ibrox LIVE.
Key Events
Perfect anniversary gift for buzzing Robbo
Stephen Robinson insists St Mirren making history at Ibrox was the perfect anniversary present.
The Buddies boss celebrated three years in charge of the Paisley side in stunning style with their 2-0 victory against Rangers. The brilliant win was Saints first at Ibrox since November 1991 – and made it consecutive wins over Rangers for the first time since 1979.
At times it’s felt like 30 years! But you can’t ask for more than that. For me it was an extension of our recent performances. I know you don’t get credit when emotions are running high, but I felt we played well against Hearts and Hibs.
Today we got our rewards. We’ve raised expectations at this club – and it’s not because we have massive resources or an injection of cash. It’s because of the squad – and they deserve every credit for their performance.
I always fancy my chances everywhere I go. Because I know the staff and the players work so hard on their shape and there’s teams in this division who sit in and play on the counter and times but we go and we are aggressive and we press aggressively. You can’t do it for 90 minutes but when we go, we go together as a team. If you can silence the crowd for 45 minutes it gives you an opportunity, and that’s what happened.
Rangers come out and have to be a bit more expansive and it leaves gaps in behind. We have players we believe can hurt people. The big thing was we did not feel under pressure. We come to these places and a lot of times you don’t have ownership of the game.
We felt we were I control of the game and when we landed on the ball we were brave and created lots of half chances and perhaps could have had a couple more.
Robinson side are sixth in the Premiership and the boss believes the Ibrox success can turbo charge the push to the split.
Four games after the next two which are vital, when we play teams in and around us. Nothing will be settled today . We are under no pressure. There are teams with resources way beyond our imagination fighting for the top six. If we get there three years in a row, it’s a huge bonus and massive overachievement.
We have tried to grow the club prudently. Any St Mirren manager would have snapped your hand off for this with six games to go.
Clement issues meek apology
Hurting Philippe Clement issued a meek apology to Rangers fans after their defeat to St Mirren – and the pundits reckon he looked a 'beaten' man who knows the axe is about to fall.
The Belgian watched his side fall to a dismal 2-0 loss against the Saints and a chorus of boos rung out around Ibrox from the few punters who were left in the stadium on the full-time whistle. Underlining the frustration was the failure to pounce on Celtic's stumble, after they lost to HIbs earlier in the day.
Clement, already under immense pressure after that Scottish Cup exit against Queen's Park two weeks ago, is now feeling the heat. Particularly with the San Francisco 49ers' investment group in advanced talks to buy a major stake in the club.
Saints showing shouldn't be overshadowed
For all that Rangers were horrendous this afternoon, St Mirren showed some real tactical nous at Ibrox to completely nullify their vastly more expensively-assembled opponents on their own patch.
The conventional thinking for sides other than Celtic when coming to Ibrox is to play one up front and have banks of five and four behind them to try and nullify the expected onslaught, but the Buddies came to Govan and played two up front, who excelled along with Olusanya off the bench.
In the first half, Mickael Mandron and Jonah Ayunga bullied a Rangers backline shorn of the defensive capabilities of John Souttar, with Clinton Nsiala chosen over the Lille loanee Rafael Fernandes to partner Robin Propper at centre-half.
It was this strength that led to the first goal, with Mandron initially having been adjudged to have fouled Nsiala, but seeing that decision overturned after further examination showed a clean contest for the ball.
Ayunga provided the assist for that vital opener and it was to be his replacement, Toyosi Olusanya, who sealed the points - once more outbattling Nsiala and then placing a calm finish past Jack Butland.
So often with just one up top, the lack of support around him means that hard-fought knockdowns go to waste with second balls picked up by the defence, but the amount of times that St Mirren either picked up the second ball themselves, or made them distinctly uncomfortable for Rangers shows just how well Stephen Robinson's setup play was implemented by his players.
Barring Europe, Rangers are realistically playing for nothing domestically and Philippe Clement will be praying he can pick his players up off the ground for what is sure to be an intriguing contest against Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce now looming large on the horizon.
McCall sounds Clement alarm bells
Former Rangers midfielder Ian McCall was speaking on BBC Scotland Sportsound and he was quick to sound the alarm bells for Philippe Clement, given the wretched nature of his old side's performance.
If I was Philippe Clement, I'd be worried because some of the players looked like they'd chucked it.
Woeful. Truly woeful.
Player ratings
St Mirren: Hemming 7; Alebiosu 7 Bwomono 66, 4) ; Fraser 7; Gogic 8; Taylor 7; John 7 (Tanser 96, 2); O’Hara 7; Boyd-Munce 7 (Smyth 66 4); Phillips 8 (Kiltie 76, 3); Ayunga 7 (Olusanya 66, 6); Mandron 8.
American dream turns into a nightmare – 3 talking points
Mikael Mandron and Toyosi Olusanya netted to ensure a first Ibrox win in 34 years for St Mirren - and blow apart any feel good factor over a potential US takeover at Rangers.
The pre-match buzz that greeted Record Sport’s exclusive revealing the San Fransisco 49ers-led interest was heightened when Celtic lost at Hibs in the lunch time kick off. But by full time the all too familiar stench of toxicity was pulsating round Ibrox as the pressure cranked up another notch on Philippe Clement.
Gers knew ahead of kick off the chance to cut the gap on Celtic was there. But if punters were hoping to blow St Mirren away early they were to be disappointed.
Read our 3 talking points right here.
Full-time: Rangers 0-2 St Mirren
It's full-time at Ibrox with a chorus of boos from those still in attendance as St Mirren have more than deserved to pick up all three points this afternoon.
Second-half strikes from Mickael Mandron and Toyosi Olusanya have given Stephen Robinson's side the points on what is his third anniversary in charge of the club.
Final score in Govan: Rangers 0-2 St Mirren.
CROSSBAR: Cerny
Vaclav Cerny clips the crossbar with a deflected effort in the last action of the game.
Dessers heads wide
The cross comes in from the left hand side, but Rangers' No. 9 can only head it wide.
Petering out
Rangers aren't showing any signs of changing the outcome of this one, with time ticking by towards the final whistle, where there's sure to be a negative reaction from the home fans.
Saints sub
Declan John is withdrawn on his return to Ibrox and is replaced by Scott Tanser.
NINE minutes added
There are nine minutes added on at Ibrox. Theoretically that's time enough for a comeback but it's looked nowhere near it for the previous 90 minutes.
Mandron effort
Mickael Mandron has another effort on target but it's an easy take for Jack Butland.
Fan fury rising
Those who have remained inside Ibrox are making their feelings clear towards the players and management. Suffice to say these opinions are, in fact, unprintable but the sentiment is more than clear.
Saints counter
Saints win the header and are so close to getting on the counter again. It's only a good intervention from Tavernier that stops it this time.
Rangers corner
It's yet another set-piece for the home side as we enter the final seven minutes with a sparse Ibrox crowd remaining.
Fans heading for exits
Some fans have had enough and there's been a semi-steady stream of punters heading for the exits, as Philippe Clement's side stutter to another poor home result.
They've just not looked like breaking down this St Mirren side, who have defended doggedly and been razor-sharp on the counter with their strike duos.
Nsiala shot blocked
The defender sees his effort blocked inside the box, while there was a brief VAR check for a handball, but no penalty awarded for the home side.
Corner for Rangers
Bajrami's deflected effort goes into the side netting behind for another corner.
Rangers have had plenty of corners, but offered little to nothing from them.
Phillips treatment
Killian Phillips is receiving treatment and is brought off for Greg Kiltie.
Rangers corner
Rangers win a corner as Cerny races nearly the length of the pitch before cutting inside and getting tackled for a corner.
Tavernier fires over
The Rangers captain has an effort from the edge of the area which is high and wide and prompts an outpouring of fury from the home stands.
GOAL: Rangers 0-2 St Mirren
St Mirren double their lead at Ibrox as Saints sub Toyosi Olusanya gets in behind and nudges Nsiala off it before finishing calmly past Butland.
It's a hammer blow for the home side, but superb from the Saints.
St Mirren 0-2 Rangers.
Dessers fires wide
The big striker does well to roll Richard Taylor and get his shot away, but it goes wide before the flag goes up anyway to spare his blushes somewhat.
Saints subs
St Mirren opt to make a triple change as we approach 65 minutes at Ibrox as Ayunga, Alebiosu and Boyd-Munce are replaced by Smith, Bwomono and Olusanya.
Nsiala concern
The young French defender has been receiving treatment but looks like he may be able to continue.
Cerny fires wide
It's a real opportunity for Vaclav Cerny, but the winger fires wide from a very presentable chance.
Saints duo a threat
St Mirren's front two have caused all manner of problems as one wins the header and the other contests the knockdown. It's worked well all game for them and they come close to getting in behind the Rangers defence, who eventually get it clear.
Rangers penalty shout
The Rangers players wat a penalty after Dessers goes down in the box, looking to get on the end of Jefte's cross, but it's not given.
