Ruthless Kemar Roofe shines in routine win as Rangers gear up for pivotal week despite forlorn atmosphere

It may increasingly appear a forlorn pursuit but Rangers indicated they remain committed to staying on Celtic’s trail in the title race with a comprehensive victory at St Mirren.

Kemar Roofe scored his first hat-trick for the Ibrox club as they repaired the gap at the top to six points after their Old Firm rivals’ 7-0 dismantling of St Johnstone the previous day.

Joe Aribo added a sumptuous fourth for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side who now face a potentially season-defining week as they bid to overturn a 1-0 deficit in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final against Braga at Ibrox on Thursday before next Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic at Hampden.

Despite the presence of a big Rangers support who filled the stands behind both goals in Paisley, the atmosphere was flat for lengthy periods.

From the perspective of both teams, it was difficult to shake the notion that their Premiership fates had already been determined ahead of the post-split fixtures.

St Mirren had already been consigned to a place in the bottom six by Saturday’s results. Their focus now is on ensuring they are not dragged into the relegation equation but their hopes of taking anything from this contest were rocked inside the opening two minutes.

Roofe’s opener was well constructed by Rangers, Connor Goldson’s long ball picking out James Tavernier on the right before the captain pinged a cross towards Ryan Kent on the opposite side of the penalty area.

St Mirren were slow to react as Kent returned the ball into the six yard box where Roofe had all the time he needed to guide a header beyond Dean Lyness.

Rangers failed to build up any immediate momentum from that rapid start and had to make a change in midfield after just 26