Ianis Hagi’s strike early in the second half was enough to edge out St Johnstone at Ibrox.
The Perth side were seven games unbeaten heading into the fixture and battled throughout to maintain their record.
Two good Craig Bryson chances were the pick of the bunch for the visitors but Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor was not in the mood to be defeated.
Bryson was one of four changes from manager Callum Davidson, who also handed Millwall loanee James Brown his first start at right wing-back.
It was defensive mate and skipper Jason Kerr who had early intentions of giving Saints the lead in acrobatic style. He attempted the overhead kick but just couldn’t quite connect.
The Perth men had started reasonably well but there was a big scare on 11 minutes when Connor Goldson’s diagonal was nodded down by Joe Aribo. Ryan Kent picked up the play, cut across the box and fired inches wide.
Up the other end and Bryson suddenly found himself in a promising position following a long throw-in and, from close range at a tight angle, had his shot turned behind for a corner.
Rangers forward Kemar Roofe was soon yellow carded for a rash challenge on Murray Davidson. Perth players were questioning why the punishment was not more severe - and they had every right.
Roofe should have punished slack marking with 32 minutes played after neat work from Aribo. His pass across the face was perfect for the striker but he guided over. Goldson then diverted wide when he looked set to net.
Saints could be pleased with their first half efforts and boss Callum Davidson would be content with how the game-plan was executed.
Keeping it tight in the opening minutes after the break was going to be imperative. The visiting rearguard was required to be alert on numerous occasions, Zander Clark palming away a dangerous James Tavernier cross on 49 minutes.
The early pressure from the hosts continued and with 52 minutes on the clock Hagi drifted in from the right flank and fired a low, left-footed strike beyond Clark.
Saints set about finding a leveller on 70 minutes when Bryson’s strike forced Allan McGregor to push away from danger. The Perth midfielder then, moments later, weaved into the box and struck for goal.
Again, however, the Rangers goalkeeper was positioned well to pull off a very clever save.
Guy Melamed was thrown into the action late on with hopes of grabbing a dramatic late leveller but it wasn’t to be.
