Key Points
- Rangers won their latest match in stunning fashion with a goal from Bojan Miovski in injury time, beating St Mirren 1-0 in a difficult contest.
- It was a timely reminder of his striking skills from the North Macedonian international after the summer transfer window ended.
- Shankland picked up a serious hamstring injury at the start of last weekend’s game with Motherwell, making way for Miovski once again.
- Derek McInnes commended Miovski for his professionalism and high goals-per-minute ratio in his post-match interview.
- Rangers goalkeeper, Ivor Pandur talked about the unity of the squad after saving a one-on-one from Fraser Taylor to ensure that Rangers stayed equal before securing victory in the end.
- Apart from Shankland, Yokota had to leave Rangers due to a groin injury that needed surgery in London in the company of club captain Shankland.
Glasgow (Glasgow Express) September 10, 2026 —Injury-time winners are always crowd pleasers, and as reported by Gary Morris of Inside Ibrox, Bojan Miovski’s late strike to seal a hard-fought three points against a much-improved St Mirren side was timely in reminding the Rangers management team and the supporters of his elite ability as he remains with the squad following the closure of the transfer window. Whilst it looked like he may have been the odd man out following Rangers’ significant attacking investments late in the window, a hamstring injury suffered by Lawrence Shankland re-opened the door for the North Macedonian international.
Coming on as a late substitute for Djeidi Gassama as Derek McInnes reverted to a formation that had worked well in the first half against Craig McLeish’s Paisley side, his deft finish over St Mirren goalkeeper Jacob Chapman following a Ryan Naderi header once again demonstrated Miovski’s natural striking instinct. The former Aberdeen striker seized his opportunity when it mattered most, producing the clinical edge that Rangers had been lacking throughout the evening.
As detailed by Daily Record journalist Andy Newport, Rangers had put on a largely toothless display in front of goal despite dominating large spells of possession, leaving the home support increasingly agitated. However, Miovski’s 91st-minute intervention prevented a costly slip-up that would have left Rangers trailing further behind early pacesetters Celtic ahead of the upcoming Old Firm encounters.
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What did manager Derek McInnes say about Bojan Miovski’s role in the squad?
Derek McInnes was quick to express his delight at seeing a player he rates highly deliver when his team needed him most. Discussing Miovski’s mindset amid fierce competition for places, McInnes acknowledged the player’s initial thoughts following club recruitment.
As reported by Inside Ibrox, McInnes stated:
“When we first came in obviously the club had invested a lot of money in Youssef and Ryan and then Lawrence comes in and he’s probably thinking where am I going to fit in here?”
Highlighting the striker’s exceptional track record, McInnes added:
“His goals per minute both for Aberdeen and Rangers and the Premier League is top class.”
With Shankland facing an extended spell on the sidelines, McInnes emphasised the value of having someone of Miovski’s calibre available. “I’m just delighted that we’ve got somebody of his calibre, his prowess in the building, his experience,” McInnes explained.
“We’re not littered with experience, it’s just somebody to come on and stay calm in those moments. His experience and his execution of the goal was first class. So pleased for him.”
How did Ivor Pandur and the defensive resilience keep Rangers in the game?
While Miovski grabbed the headlines at the death, goalkeeper Ivor Pandur played an equally vital role in securing the clean sheet. During the second half, St Mirren grew in confidence, and midfielder Fraser Taylor found himself clean through on goal.
Reflecting on the tense encounter, Pandur spoke to Rangers TV about the importance of squad unity. As highlighted by Inside Ibrox, Pandur noted:
“Yeah, I’m really happy for Bojan. I think when you do good in life, good always comes back and he’s the prime example for it because he wasn’t involved in a lot of games but he was always there making everybody smile and I cannot think of nobody who deserves it more.”
Pandur also addressed the team’s overall performance:
“Obviously we had good first half, second half we wasn’t good and we need to improve a lot of things if we want to be a team that’s fighting for titles. I think there’s lots of things we need to improve but today I think togetherness also was a massive part. We stick through tough moments because St Mirren is a good team and like I said, I’m just happy for Bojan.”
What are the latest updates on Rangers’ growing injury list?
The victory over St Mirren came at a significant physical cost for Derek McInnes’ side. Alongside club captain Lawrence Shankland’s hamstring injury, winger Daisuke Yokota was ruled out of action.
McInnes revealed post-match that Yokota would be joining Shankland in London to undergo surgery for a persistent groin issue. The Japanese wide player is expected to face a rehabilitation period lasting between two and three months, underscoring the severe challenges facing the Ibrox club’s squad depth as a demanding fixture schedule approaches.
Background of the Development
The recent events at Ibrox unfold against a backdrop of aggressive squad rebuilding and transitional management under Derek McInnes. Following a mixed start to the domestic campaign and early European tests, Rangers invested heavily during the summer transfer window to bolster their attacking options, bringing in players such as Kevin Kelsy from Portland Timbers and Lawrence Shankland to solve historical scoring inconsistencies. These additions naturally altered the squad hierarchy, creating intense competition for starting berths and initially pushing established figures like Bojan Miovski toward the fringes of the matchday plans. However, professional sport is characterized by rapid volatility; sudden, long-term injuries to key offensive and wide personnel—specifically Shankland and Yokota—have abruptly thrust squad depth into sharp focus, forcing the coaching staff to lean heavily back upon seasoned professionals who understand the physical and mental demands of competing at the top tier of Scottish football.
Looking ahead, the loss of key personnel coupled with late-game heroics will directly impact Rangers’ tactical approach and squad morale as they navigate a critical phase of the season, including high-stakes fixtures such as the Premier Sports Cup clash against Celtic. For the coaching staff and the wider club ecosystem, the immediate reliance on Bojan Miovski provides a temporary solution to a blunt attacking force, yet it also highlights underlying vulnerabilities regarding squad durability and conversion rates in the final third. For the supporters and the players, navigating this congested fixture list without pivotal leaders like Shankland will test the collective resolve of the changing room. Should secondary options like Miovski maintain their clinical edge, Rangers can sustain momentum and tactical stability; however, persistent inefficiencies in front of goal coupled with an escalating injury list risk exposing structural frailties against elite domestic rivals.
