Rangers vs St Johnstone: League Cup – BBC Sport

Rangers progressed to the quarter-finals of the Premier Sports Cup thanks to substitute Cyriel Dessers’ controversial opener and a late Ross McCausland dink that sealed victory over St Johnstone.

The holders were on top for most of the match at Hampden but struggled to make the breakthrough until Rabbi Matondo played in Dessers, who tangled with defender Jack Sanders.

Referee Matthew MacDermid seemed to give that as a foul before Dessers danced into the box and produced a fine finish but the goal was ruled out until VAR intervened.

St Johnstone were left furious when the strike was ultimately awarded as they clearly felt play had been stopped by the referee.

Post match, the Scottish FA offered guidance that MacDermid blew his whistle after Dessers’ shot had crossed the line.

Rangers produced numerous chances throughout, repeatedly exposing St Johnstone down the left side in particular, with Danilo denied from close range on his first start this season. Too often, though, the final product was off target.

Craig Levein’s side twice came close to punishing that wastefulness. Andre Raymond got the break of the ball but saw a great chance blocked before in-form Adama Sidibeh struck the outside of the post from close range.

Rangers winger Vaclav Cerny had looked certain to break the deadlock from the angle but flashed the ball just outside the far post just before Dessers’ intervention.

The hosts pushed on for a cushion but it was Sidibeh who had a wonderful opportunity blocked from close range in injury time, before McCausland’s cute dink over Josh Rae sealed Rangers’ progression.