Rangers kept the pressure on Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premier League with a hard-fought 1-0 win away to St Mirren on Sunday afternoon.
Kyle Bartley got his first goal since joining Rangers on loan from Arsenal to secure the crucial win for Walter Smith’s side, though the visitors were forced to hold out as St Mirren pressed for a leveller late on.
Rangers controlled the majority of the opening exchanges, though Lee Mair went close to giving the hosts an early lead, his header cleared off the line by John Fleck.
It was Rangers who hit the front, however, when Bartley comfortably headed home from close range midway through the half, following a hooked cross from Madjid Bougherra.
David van Zanten volleyed over a decent chance to drag St Mirren level, but the Gers continued to look a threat at the other end as the half drew to a close.
There were half chances at either end at the beginning of the second period - Paul McGowan for The Saints and Maurice Edu for Rangers – with the hosts looking the more determined of the sides.
However, Edu should have sealed the points for Rangers but produced a poor touch and effort after being played in by Steven Davis.
Thereafter, St Mirren continued to make the visitors uncomfortable, pressing right to the death, but Rangers did enough to win and close the gap to Celtic to five points, with the Hoops having played two more games.