The North Macedonian came off the bench to net a late winner at Ibrox in a timely reminder to Derek McInnes what he’s capable of

21:56, 09 Sep 2026Updated 22:35, 09 Sep 2026

Rangers’ Bojan Miovski (centre) celebrates scoring to make it 1-0 (Image: SNS Group)

Rangers may have got over their early teething troubles but they’re going to have to sharpen their fangs if they’re to spare their manager’s blood pressure levels.

For the second game running, the shot-shy frontmen put on a toothless display up front.

But just when it looked like St Mirren were set to snatch a hugely deserved draw for their second efforts, Bojan Miovski appeared to bite them on the bum and steal the win.

And no-one looked more relieved than their manager.

He’d kicked everything ball during the first half as Gers did everything but score.

But by full-time, he was punching the air along with the delighted Ibrox support as Miovski’s last-minute winner snatched the points to prevent Rangers slipping seven points behind Celtic heading into this week’s Old Firm double header.

Saints suffered a 5-1 drubbing here only 24 days earlier yet returned to Ibrox sitting above Gers on goal difference before kick-off after an impressive start that had earned Craig McLeish August’s manager of the month prize.

But from the off, it was clear the Buddies were going to have to defend for their lives as Gers laid siege to Jacob Chapman’s goal.

He was called into action just six minutes in as Ryan Naderi burst through following a rapier-like Gers move, with the Aussie keeper pulling off a huge stop.

Rangers’ Bojan Miovski scores to make it 1-0 (Image: SNS Group)

At the other end, St Mirren had penalty appeals turned away by Don Robertson as Ismeal Kabia tumbled at Manny Fernandez’s feet.

But Rangers were quickly back penning the Paisley men in as they wracked up 13 first-half shots on goal.

Chapman had to pull of stunning stops to deny Nico Raskin, Bouanani and bizarrely, his own team-mate Calvin Ramsay while there was some last-ditch blocks required as Kelsy and Naderi also went close.

McInnes would have been delighted with that display, with the only thing missing a goal.

But the Ibrox crowd were soon growing restless as their team struggled to maintain their first-half levels after the interval.

In fact, Rangers needed Ivor Pandur to bail them out with a huge stop one-on-one against Fraser Taylor.

With the clock ticking down, though, substitute Miovski leaped off the bench to lob a last minute winner over Chapman and send Ibrox wild.

Del’s delight

Saturday’s win over Motherwell was the most assured Rangers had looked so far under McInnes – that was until they got in front of goal.

The Steelmen were grateful for the hosts sloppy finishing as they were spared a bigger beating than the 1-0 defeat they escaped with.

McInnes warned, though, that next time that narrow advantage might not be enough.

This time it was – but wow did they leave it late.

The crowd roared with approval as Gers laid seige to the St Mirren goal early on.

Far quicker tempo, far sharper working the ball into the areas where they could get at the Paisley men than was the case at the start of the season.

But it was a return to bad habits after the break as Gers repeatedly coughed up possession.

Without Miosvki’s heroics, this would have beeb a costly slip-up. Gers frontmen must sharpen up if they’re to keep pace with Celtic.

Life without Lawrence

The big decision facing McInnes and Lawrence Shankland this week is whether to go ahead and put the skipper under the knife.

Surgery will extend the striker’s three-month hamstring lay-off by another month but one way or another, it’s clear Gers’ frontline options have been badly blunted by injury already.

With Shankland and Youssef Chermiti both out of action for the foreseeable, McInnes was praying Kelsy would live up to his huge £9.2million price-tag.

But with the Saints goal living a charmed life in the first 45 there was no way through for the big Venezuelan.

He had a first-half header cleared off the line by Nikolas Agrafiotis but it’s clear it’s going to take some time for his new partnership with Naderi to develop as both men looked unsure of each other’s movements.

In the end it came down to a man who had largely been forgotten about by the Rangers support to bail them out of jail. Perhaps now Miovski will get his chance to lead the line.

Good show from Gers new’ Bad boy

If you believe the whispers from Germany, Rangers will have to pay £15million to make Bouanani’s season-long loan permanent next summer.

Gers chiefs have refused to confirm or deny those claims so far.

But they’ll most definitely hope to strike it rich in the months ahead with the Stuttgart winger’s teasing deliveries.

Rangers’ Badredine Bouanani (R) and St Mirren’s Ismeal Kabia in action(Image: SNS Group)

The Algerian international’s first impression were positive enough, with his crossing ability his stand-out attribute.

Frustratingly for McInnes, no-one in blue was able to take advantage of his balls into the box during his first hour-long appearance.

It was clear he’s still not up to full sharpness after a disrupted pre-season with his Bundesliga parent club but he did himself no harm in the eyes of the supporters with his work rate off it, repeatedly chasing back to help his defenders win back possession.

Another Fernandez faux pass

Yet again, just when Manny Fernandez was looking like he was on course for an impressive individual display, he almost spoiled it with one of his now trademark brain farts.

Last week it was a kamikaze pass to Falkirk’s Jacob Murrell that almost cost the giants stopper.

This time it was another criminally short pass to Dujon Sterling, who was forced to take a booking to prevent Agrafiotis sprinting clear.

On another day, it might have been red with Gers short on defending cover.

McInnes has repeatedly told Fernandez he needs to up his focus levels. If he doesn’t he’ll get a jolt when he looses his place.

One man who is growing more and more reliable, however, is keeper Pandur. His brinksmanship ploy with Taylor was crucial to the three points as he waited and waited to make the crucial stop.

A Buddie nose

This one will hurt St Mirren more than their cup skelping here last month.

Then it was clear that they were second best for the full 90.

To be fair, they were well off it again during the opening half.

But McLeish’s side had their chances to snatch a huge win during a brave second have and really should have netted when Taylor burst clear, with Declan John also whistling just wide.

It will sting but the Buddies should retain heart, they’re in good hands with McLeish as gaffer