Chris Kane tells Rangers boss St Johnstone are no hatchet men as striker boots 'kicked off the park' claim into touch

Chris Kane has shot down suggestions St Johnstone were hatchet men at Ibrox. The striker is adamant his team have no case to answer after Philippe Clement’s claims his men were kicked off the park in Wednesday’s 2-0 win.

Clement wasn’t happy at the challenge on John Lundstram from Diallang Jaiyesimi which led to an ordering-off and also branded a tackle from Dan Phillips on Kieran Dowell as a leg-breaker despite no card being dished out. However, Kane assessed Jaiyesimi’s dismissal and said: “It’s one of those where you take a touch, the ball gets away from you and you dive in. I haven’t seen it back but it has gone to VAR and that’s what they’ve decided. It’s unlucky for DJ. He has been doing well. Apart from that, there wasn’t another bad tackle in the game.”

Kane has now set his sights on tomorrow’s clash with Kilmarnock boosted by the new deal he signed just prior to the encounter at Ibrox. Boss Craig Levein handed out an extension until the end of the season with the hitman’s previous contract set to expire
next month.

Kane said: “My main focus recently has been staying fit. I’ve had injuries that have kept me out for the best part of two years.

“The manager pulled me in to tell me he wanted to keep me here. He offered me a contract and I was delighted to sign it.

“I knew that the weeks were counting down to the end of my contract but it wasn’t something I was overly worried about. This is a busy period. I knew that as long as I stayed fit, things would take care of themselves.”

Jaiyesimi is suspended for the game at Rugby Park and that could open a door for Kane to grab a spot in the line-up in Ayrshire. He said: “I want to start as many games as I can but so will Nicky (Clark), Stevie (May) and Luke (Jephcott).