 Burke put Rangers into the lead |
Rangers eased to victory over 10-man St Mirren to stretch their lead over Celtic at the top of the SPL. But it could have been a different story had goalkeeper Allan McGregor not denied Billy Mehmet an opening goal during early Buddies dominance.
Chris Burke turned in the 27th-minute opener and Will Haining's exit for two yellow cards ensured Rangers' victory.
Kris Boyd fired home after 33 minutes and Steven Whittaker powered in two more either side of the break.
A lacklustre Rangers squandered chances to add to further add to their tally but had done enough to move seven points clear as Celtic prepare to visit Falkirk on Sunday.
McGregor, Barry Ferguson and David Weir had returned to the Rangers starting line-up after the midweek Scottish Cup win over East Stirlingshire.
Lee McCulloch, who picked up a knock, and young John Fleck dropped to the bench, while Sasa Papac missed out.
Garry Brady returned to the St Mirren midfield in place of striker Craig Dargo.
But, despite the more defensive line-up, it was the visitors who dominated the early stages.
McGregor did well to touch wide a Mehmet header and the striker fired a long-range effort straight at the goalkeeper.
But Rangers took the lead against the run of play after 26 minutes.
 Haining was sent off after picking up two yellow cards |
When Ferguson cut the ball across the face of goal, Burke appeared to take an age before taking control and firing it home from six yards.
Haining had already been booked by that stage for a tackle from behind on Jean-Claude Darcheville.
And the defender received his marching orders on the half-hour mark with an even more reckless challenge that felled Alan Hutton in full flight as Rangers began to exploit the extra space.
The extra man had allowed Rangers to take control and, when Darcheville fed the ball through to Boyd, the Scotland striker rifled it past Smith for his fourth goal of the week.
As the Buddies stood off Whittaker, the left-back drove the ball into the far corner from 16 yards.
Burke cut inside only to drag his shot across the face of goal and wide with the gaping net at his mercy.
Recent signing Andy Dorman forced McGregor into a save at the second attempt as St Mirren made a rare break.
Boyd squandered the best of several Rangers chances, deflecting the ball wide from eight yards.
But Whittaker cut inside before driving the ball high into the far corner after 80 minutes to ensure there was to be no fairytale fightback.
Rangers: McGregor, Hutton, Cuellar, Weir, Whittaker, Burke (Novo 79), Hemdani, Ferguson, Adam (McCulloch 71), Boyd, Darcheville (Naismith 64).
Subs Not Used: Graeme Smith, Broadfoot, Furman, Fleck.
Booked: Cuellar.
Goals: Burke 27, Boyd 33, Whittaker 37, 81.
St Mirren: Smith, Barron, Haining, Potter, Maxwell, van Zanten, Murray (McGinn 74), Brady, Dorman (Burke 87), Corcoran, Mehmet (Kean 65).
Subs Not Used: Howard, Dargo, Miranda, McCay.
Sent Off: Haining (30). Booked: Haining.
Att: 49,198
Ref: M Tumilty
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