Glasgow, Scotland, July 30: Steven Naismith scored one goal and set up another Saturday to give Rangers a 2-0 win at St. Johnstone, its first victory of the Scottish Premier League season.
Naismith headed Lee Wallace's 31st-minute free kick past goalkeeper Peter Enckelman into the bottom corner, and then passed to Nikica Jelavic in the 50th for the Croatia striker to send a low, angled shot into the net.
Having drawn its opening match against Hearts last weekend, defending champion Rangers has four points from two matches.
“We spoke before the game about starting the game better,” Rangers manager Ally McCoist said. “We did that and we were sharper and stronger and we were more direct in the opening period. We were very positive.
“I was pleased with the chances we created, we scored two goals and could have scored more.”
Also Saturday, Hibernian won 1-0 at Inverness, Motherwell drew 0-0 at Kilmarnock and St. Mirren beat Aberdeen 1-0. AP