It's the first Premiership away day of the season for St Mirren as we travel to Ibrox on Sunday to take on Rangers.
FORM
After qualifying from Betfred Cup Group H with three draws and a win, The Buddies got the Premiership season off to a perfect start with a 2-1 win over Dundee at the Simple Digital Arena last Saturday. The Championship flag was raised before kick-off and all three points were earned when Danny Mullen grabbed a double on his Premiership debut either side of half-time.
Rangers kicked off their Premiership season with a 1-1 draw with Aberdeen at Pittodrie. Steven Gerrard's side were reduced to ten men when Alfredo Morelos was red carded for a kick-out at Dons defender Scott McKenna. But a James Tavernier penalty on 30 minutes put the Gers ahead. Aberdeen grabbed an equaliser in the dying embers of the match through teenager Bruce Anderson to gain a point.
The Light Blues were in Europa League action last night as they defeated Slovenian side Maribor 3-1 at Ibrox.
PREVIOUS
St Mirren last faced Rangers in the Championship back in the 2015/16 season as the Ibrox side went on to secure promotion to the Premiership. Saints' opening league match of that season came at Ibrox with then Rangers manager Mark Warburton taking charge of the Gers for the first time.
The Buddies impressed on the night despite eventually falling to a 3-1 defeat. Cameron Howieson netted just before the half hour mark after Rangers had raced into a 2-0 lead. The night could have turned out differently for Saints had Steven Thompson netted from the penalty spot in the second half.
The last meeting between the two came on the final day of the 2015/16 season with Lewis Morgan scoring his first ever St Mirren goal in the 90th minute to gain Saints a point in a 2-2 draw.
SQUAD NEWS
Nikolai Brock-Madsen completed his loan move to St Mirren this week from English side Birmingham and will go into Alan Stubbs' squad.
Gary MacKenzie, Adam Eckersley and Jordan Kirkpatrick all remain out through injury, while Ross Stewart has completed his move to Ladbrokes Championship side Ross County.
Alfredo Morelos is available for Rangers after they successfully appealed the Colombian's red card from last weekend.
MANAGER'S THOUGHTS
I'm looking forward to it and the players have to look forward to it as well.
"These are the types of games that make you yearn for promotion. They shouldn't fear it.
"They've got to go there and work harder than Rangers, move the ball really well and capitalise on chances when they come along. If they can do that and put it all together then we'll see what happens.
"We'll be disciplined, we'll be organised and when we've got the ball I expect us cause problems and to be attacking. But we have to respect that we are not necessarily going to be the team that dominates the football.
"I want the players to perform. They have to perform week-in, week-out - that's what this division demands. Sunday is no different.
"I want the players to enjoy the occasion, sample what a great atmosphere it can be, but not be overawed by it."
