Another Rangers defeat piles pressure on Giovanni van Bronckhorst

Pressure piled on Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst after a shock 2-1 defeat by St Johnstone left them seven points behind Celtic at the top of the cinch Premiership.

The Govan side dominated the first half at McDiarmid Park but found themselves behind in the 41st minute when 24-year-old wing-back James Brown thundered in a stunning drive from 25 yards for his first ever goal.

Former Rangers striker Nicky Clark grabbed a second in the 62nd minute before Gers skipper James Tavernier reduced the deficit in the 73rd minute – but that was the sum total of their reply.

It was St Johnstone's first home win over Rangers since March 2010 and seething Gers fans vented their frustration at the final whistle, with Van Bronckhorst’s tenure now under further scrutiny.

There had seemed little prospect of an upset in Perth despite an ongoing injury crisis at Ibrox.

Van Bronckhorst was glad to welcome back centre-back Ben Davies from a groin complaint and midfielder John Lundstram had served a one-game ban.

Saints boss Callum Davidson revealed a sickness bug in the camp, with captain Liam Gordon missing.

Elliott Parish took over from injured number one goalkeeper Remi Matthews and Ross Sinclair was recalled from his loan spell at Montrose to take his place on the bench.

Rangers started the game strongly and in the sixth minute Parish had to save from Malik Tillman's effort from a tight angle, following Tavernier’s cross

Minutes later, Parish dived low to his left to push a decent Lundstram drive round the post for a corner and the home side emerged unscathed.

In the 11th minute Antonio Colak should have done much better when he was sent through on goal by Tillman but veteran Perth defender Andrew Considine ensured the Croatia striker did not