Rangers snatched all three points in the most dramatic fashion as Bojan Miovski’s stoppage-time strike sealed a 1-0 victory over St Mirren at Ibrox.
The goal arrived in the 91st minute when Ryan Naderi climbed to meet a forward ball and guided it perfectly into Miovski’s path.
The substitute kept his composure and beat goalkeeper Jacob Chapman to give Rangers the breakthrough they had spent the entire evening pursuing.
Derek McInnes’ side had dominated the opening stages but were repeatedly frustrated by an inspired Chapman between the posts.
Naderi had brought an early save from Chapman, Nicolas Raskin tested him with a header, and Kevin Kelsy saw a close-range effort blocked.
Djeidi Gassama and Badredine Bouanani were also denied as Rangers pushed St Mirren deep inside their own half throughout the first period.
Rangers racked up 18 total shots compared to St Mirren’s 10, while also enjoying 12 corners to their opponents’ none, yet the scoreline stayed level at the break.
After the interval, St Mirren grew bolder and Ivor Pandur had to produce a vital save from Fraser Taylor, with Nikolas Agrafiotis also forcing the Rangers goalkeeper into action.
The home support began to sense another uncomfortable evening before Miovski, introduced in the 78th minute, delivered the decisive moment.
The result secured a fourth consecutive league victory for Rangers and lifted them into second place in the Scottish Premiership standings.
One of the major talking points from the match centred on the display of summer signing Kelsy, who was handed a start in the absence of Lawrence Shankland and Youssef Chermiti.
The £9.5 million signing from Portland Timbers showed his physical presence and caused problems for St Mirren’s defence throughout his time on the pitch.
Former Rangers forward Rory Loy, speaking on BBC Sportsound, felt Kelsy was rushing certain choices in possession and identified a clear concern with his decision-making in the final third.
“Kelsy’s decision-making is coming up a bit short, which is perhaps understandable given it is his first start at Ibrox,” said Loy.
“He is trying to force a pass. A little bit too eager to get rid of the ball,” Loy added, summarising what was an encouraging but uneven home debut for the Venezuelan striker.
Kelsy made his first Ibrox start and had a header stopped shortly before the interval, illustrating both his willingness to get involved and his inability to find the finishing touch.
He attacked crosses and made himself difficult for defenders to ignore, yet several promising moves broke down when a calmer touch or simpler pass might have maintained pressure.
There should be patience for a 22-year-old adjusting to a new club, a demanding crowd, and the intensity of Scottish Premiership football after arriving late in the summer.
Rangers have invested heavily in Kelsy, however, and their injury problems mean his settling period may well have to take place under the full spotlight of first-team football.
Naderi and Miovski ultimately combined for the winner, underlining the competition Kelsy faces, but better decisions will be required if he is to make the shirt his own.