Kelsy double leads Rangers to 4-0 win over St Johnstone

Rangers beat St Johnstone 4-0 on Saturday as Kevin Kelsy scored twice and Ryan Naderi contributed a goal and an assist, answering manager Derek McInnes's call for a response after dropped points at Dundee. BBC Sport reported that the two forwards combined effectively after McInnes changed his attacking selection for the Scottish Premiership match.

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McInnes put Djeidi Gassama on the bench and started with two strikers, with Lawrence Shankland and Youssef Chermiti still absent. Kelsy and Naderi linked up for the opening goal, and both went on to score. Their contributions gave Rangers a productive partnership at the front of the team while those other attacking options remained unavailable.

The home side's advantage was reflected in the chances they created. According to the BBC's match statistics, Rangers attempted 21 shots, with nine on target, and generated eight big chances compared with St Johnstone's two. The expected-goals totals were 4.57 for Rangers and 0.58 for the visitors. St Johnstone briefly threatened early in the second half, but Rangers otherwise controlled much of the contest.

Kelsy's second goal also ended Rangers' wait for a goal from a corner this season. Emmanuel Fernandez flicked the ball on for the forward to finish, converting one of the 13 corners Rangers won. It was a separate source of progress alongside the work of the two starting strikers, with the side finally turning a corner into a goal after earlier opportunities this season had gone unconverted.

Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound, former Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday praised the number of chances the team created while highlighting set-piece delivery as an area needing improvement. Former Rangers forward Peter Lovenkrands said goals and assists could help strikers play with greater confidence, pointing to the benefit of Kelsy's scoring contribution.

McInnes described the display as among his side's best recent performances. Rangers next face Hearts at Tynecastle on Wednesday, when he will return to his former club for the first time since leaving in the summer. He pointed to Hearts' strong home record and said Rangers would need another substantial performance to secure a result.