Miller fires slow-starting Gers clear

Rangers coach Walter Smith said his side had to get out of the blocks quicker after Kenny Miller’s fifth goal of the season helped them come from behind to defeat St Johnstone 2-1 at Ibrox to go three points clear at the top of the Scottish Premier League.

Jody Morris had come close early on before Danny Grainger gave the visitors the lead in the 25th minute with a 25-yard screamer.

However, their lead lasted just seven minutes when defender Kevin Rutkiewicz turned Sasa Papac’s shot into his own net as he tried to stop it on the goal-line.

Rangers brought new signing Nikica Jelavic off the bench as they piled men forward in the second-half but it was strike partner Miller who got the winner with 11 minutes to go to make it three wins out of three for Smith’s men.

The win moves Rangers three points clear of Aberdeen and Celtic, with their Old Firm rivals in action on Sunday away to Motherwell.

“It took until St Johnstone scored to get started,” said Smith.

“That has been typical of us in our opening three games in the league and we’re going to have to try and make sure we step up and take the game to teams.”

At Ibrox, Lee McCulloch was restored to the starting line-up after serving a two-game suspension while Vladimir Weiss made his first start. The first chance of the match fell to an unusual source after Steven Whittaker won a free-kick 25 yards out.

Left-back Papac elected to strike it and Graeme Smith did well to hold his fierce drive.

However, St Johnstone looked comfortable in possession and Morris came close when a headed clearance fell to him at the edge of the box but his vicious volley flew just wide.

Murray Davidson then picked out Marcus Haber in the box and Allan McGregor had to be alert to save the Canadian’s shot at the near post.

The game was interrupted in the 18th minute when Davidson had to be stretchered off following a nasty head knock and was replaced by 16-year-old Liam Caddis.

The stoppage didn’t seem to hinder St Johnstone, who took the lead in the 25th minute through a superb strike from Grainger. A well-worked corner from Morris found Grainger lurking 25 yards out and he took a touch before unleashing an unstoppable shot past McGregor.

This seemed to kick-start Rangers who equalised seven minutes later with a scrappy goal. A Weiss cross from the left was headed towards goal by Steven Naismith.

Keeper Smith did enough to palm in on to the far post but Papac was there to send a shot goalwards and it was bundled over the line by Rutkiewicz.

Minutes into the second-half Rangers were appealing for a penalty when McCulloch’s effort appeared to hit the hand of Alan Maybury but referee Callum Murray waved the protests away.

Beattie made way in the 67th minute to allow Jelavic to make his debut and the Croatian made an instant impact when he found Naismith with a neat chip from the right but his header from 10 yards was straight at Smith.

However, the home side finally made the breakthrough their pressure merited with a well-worked goal in the 79th minute. Miller collected a fine through ball from McCulloch and sent a shot into the bottom corner of the net with the outside of his foot for his fifth goal in three games.

Saints manager Derek McInnes said: “It is as disappointed as I’ve been in my time here as we worked so hard for nothing.

“We scored a terrific goal and I’m bitterly disappointed to not come away with anything.”

At Pittodrie a late Jamie Hamill strike brought Aberdeen’s winning start to an end as Kilmarnock won 1-0 and Dougie Imrie found the net against his old club as Hamilton defeated Inverness 1-0 away.