Rangers will be seeking to keep their slim Scottish Premiership title hopes alive when they welcome St Johnstone to Ibrox on Saturday.

The two teams locked horns in the Scottish Cup last week, with the Gers securing a slender 1-0 win to progress to the fifth round.

Match preview

Indeed, a powerful 45th-minute strike from left-back Borna Barisic – his first goal in two years – was enough to see Rangers edge past St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park in the Scottish Cup.

The Gers have put together an impressive run of form since the appointment of Michael Beale as head coach, winning eight and drawing one of their last nine games across all competitions, scoring 20 goals in the process.

A Scottish Cup fifth-round tie at home against Partick Thistle awaits Rangers next month, but they must first turn their attention to Saturday's Premiership clash with St Johnstone, a side that they have beaten in each of their last four home league meetings by an aggregate score of 10-0.

The Glaswegian giants currently sit nine points behind rivals and reigning top-flight champions Celtic at the top of the table, but all hope is not lost as there are 16 Premiership fixtures still remaining this season, including two Old Firm derbies, and Beale remains optimistic that his in-form side can close the gap in the coming weeks.

Rangers will fancy their chances of success on Saturday against a struggling St Johnstone outfit, who have lost each of their last six matches across all competitions.

Callum Davidson's men have recently lacked a cutting edge in the final third, as they have failed to score in three of their last four games and have registered just four shots on target in those three matches without a goal.

The Saints have lost 12 of their 22 Premiership fixtures so far this season and currently occupy eighth place in the table, sitting just four points above the bottom two.

Confidence may be low heading to Ibrox, but St Johnstone have already beaten Rangers this season, securing a 2-1 home victory in November courtesy of strikes from James Brown and Nicky Clark, and they will hope to replicate that resilient showing on Saturday.

Team News

Rangers' Kemar Roofe, Tom Lawrence, Steven Davis, John Souttar, Filip Helander, Ridvan Yilmaz and Nnamdi Ofoborh all remain on the sidelines, but Ianis Hagi has made his long-awaited return to first-team training after a lengthy spell out with a knee injury, and he will be selected in the matchday squad on Saturday.

Todd Cantwell became the club's first signing of the January window earlier this week, joining from Norwich City on a permanent deal, and the midfielder is available to make his debut against St Johnstone.

Colombian striker Alfredo Morelos, who has recorded 99 goal contributions during his five-and-a-half-year career at Rangers (74 goals and 25 assists), could retain his place up front ahead of Antonio Colak.

As for St Johnstone, Murray Davison, Chris Kane and Ryan McGowan, who all missed last week's defeat against Rangers, are doubtful and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.

Davidson is unlikely to make too many changes, if any, to his starting lineup, although the likes of David Wotherspoon, Graham Carey and former Rangers winger Jamie Murphy will all be hoping to force their way back into the side after beginning on the bench last time out.

Rangers possible starting lineup:
McLaughlin; Tavernier, Goldson, Davies, Barisic; Jack, Lundstram; Sakala, Tillman, Kent; Morelos

St Johnstone possible starting lineup:
Matthews; Brown, Gordon, Considine, Montgomery; Hallberg, Carey, MacPherson; Wright, May, McLennan

We say: Rangers 2-0 St Johnstone

St Johnstone will be hoping to improve on their performance against Rangers last weekend, but their recent form in front of goal is a concern for Davidson's side.

The Gers, meanwhile, have scored in each of their last 14 competitive matches in all competitions and are expected to have more joy in front of goal on Saturday.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Previews by email