Leon Balogun was handed his third straight start since joining the Gers in the home clash against St. Johnstone as Rangers moved ahead of Hibernian on goal difference after the third straight win as defender Barisic opened the scoring with a free kick in the 21st minute followed by Kent second strike and Aribo’s header which settled the game.
While Celtic counterpart Boli Bolingoli’s quarantine-flouting idiocy has left the champions stuck on pause, the excellence of Borna Barisic was crucial to Steven Gerrard’s side fast-forwarding to the top of the nascent table.
An exquisite free-kick and a perfect assist for Ryan Kent helped assemble a two-goal half-time lead despite Rangers not really clicking as a unit. When Joe Aribo glanced in a third not long after the restart, the game was done. Gerrard will count three wins and three clean sheets as a very satisfactory start.
Continuing in a similar vein is essential to maximize the little window of opportunity provided by Bolingoli’s actions. Winning away against Livingston on Sunday and at home, to Kilmarnock, the following Saturday would leave Rangers 11 points ahead of Celtic before Neil Lennon’s men – who will hold three games in hand – are next allowed to kick a ball in the league.
