Rangers host St Johnstone at Ibrox on 24 October 2026 in Scottish Premiership gameweek 10, sitting second with 20 points from nine matches and a goal difference of plus six, four points behind Celtic. St Johnstone, promoted and now in fifth with 12 points, have exceeded most expectations. Derek McInnes took the Rangers job on 17 June 2026, replacing Danny Röhl, while Simo Valakari has managed St Johnstone since October 2024 when he replaced Craig Levein, his contract running until 2029. The two have not crossed paths enough for any real pattern to have formed, so this will be settled on the pitch.
Rangers have won four of their last five, with the only slip a 2-2 draw against Dundee on 17 October and a 3-1 win over Kilmarnock on the 10th before that. St Johnstone's last five brought two wins, two draws and a defeat, the standout result a 1-0 victory over Aberdeen on 11 October that showed they can hold a top half side and take three points from them, before a 1-1 draw with Dundee United on the 17th.
No injuries or suspensions for either side, putting the emphasis squarely on tactics and execution. Ryan Naderi leads Rangers' attack with four league goals already, shaping how everything around him is organised, while Josh Fowler leads the line for St Johnstone and is the player most likely to test Rangers' defensive line whenever possession flips.
McInnes sets Rangers up to work the ball wide and win the second ball from cleared crosses rather than threading anything through the middle, a style that suits both Ibrox and the squad's profile. Valakari's side sit narrow through midfield, funnelling opponents wide and doubling up with the full backs when teams try to come around the outside, the plan being to stay compact and spring Fowler the moment possession turns over. His movement in behind will be the biggest test of Rangers' defensive line all afternoon, which makes the Naderi versus St Johnstone's central defenders contest the matchup to watch: if he can hold the ball and drag the full backs across, it opens space for overlaps but if they keep him quiet, St Johnstone stay in the game. McInnes may set up patiently in the first half to draw St Johnstone out rather than going straight at a low block from the off, with Valakari likely to hold his shape throughout, accepting a lower share of the ball in exchange for defensive solidity.
Set pieces are Rangers' clearest path through a well organised defence and McInnes drills them deliberately. St Johnstone will come prepared, whether zonal or man marking but the threat is genuine enough that one delivery finding the right runner could settle it before the hour.
Rangers 2-0 St Johnstone. The first goal will probably come from a wide delivery or set piece in the second half, after which the space St Johnstone need to create while chasing the game suits Rangers on the counter perfectly. The visitors' organisation limits clear chances at either end but Rangers' patience and aerial presence at set pieces should be enough for a clean sheet and three points, keeping the gap to Celtic at four points with ten games played.
Ryan Baldi
Football Writer
Ryan Baldi is a professional football writer with years of experience and has been featured by respected outlets such as the BBC, The Guardian, Sky Sports, DAZN, FourFourTwo, ESPN, Yahoo Sport and Football365. He has also written several books including Arsène Who?.
