Bojan Miovski came off the bench to score a last-minute winner as Rangers edged St Mirren 1-0 at Ibrox, preventing a slip seven points behind Celtic.
For the second game running, Rangers' frontmen put on a toothless display up front. But just when it looked like St Mirren were set to snatch a hugely deserved draw for their second efforts, Miovski appeared to bite them on the bum and steal the win.
No-one looked more relieved than their manager. He'd kicked everything ball during the first half as Gers did everything but score. But by full-time, he was punching the air along with the delighted Ibrox support as Miovski's last-minute winner snatched the points.
St Mirren's defensive display
Saints suffered a 5-1 drubbing here only 24 days earlier yet returned to Ibrox sitting above Gers on goal difference before kick-off after an impressive start that had earned Craig McLeish August's manager of the month prize. From the off, it was clear the Buddies were going to have to defend for their lives as Gers laid siege to Jacob Chapman's goal.
He was called into action just six minutes in as Ryan Naderi burst through following a rapier-like Gers move, with the Aussie keeper pulling off a huge stop. At the other end, St Mirren had penalty appeals turned away by Don Robertson as Ismeal Kabia tumbled at Manny Fernandez's feet.
Rangers were quickly back penning the Paisley men in as they racked up 13 first-half shots on goal. Chapman had to pull off stunning stops to deny Nico Raskin, Bouanani and, bizarrely, his own team-mate Calvin Ramsay, while there were some last-ditch blocks required as Kelsy and Naderi also went close.
Second-half struggles and Miovski's heroics
McInnes would have been delighted with that display, with the only thing missing a goal. But the Ibrox crowd were soon growing restless as their team struggled to maintain their first-half levels after the interval. In fact, Rangers needed Ivor Pandur to bail them out with a huge stop one-on-one against Fraser Taylor.
With the clock ticking down, though, substitute Miovski leaped off the bench to lob a last-minute winner over Chapman and send Ibrox wild.
Saturday's win over Motherwell was the most assured Rangers had looked so far under McInnes - that was until they got in front of goal. The Steelmen were grateful for the hosts' sloppy finishing as they were spared a bigger beating than the 1-0 defeat they escaped with. McInnes warned, though, that next time that narrow advantage might not be enough. This time it was - but wow did they leave it late.
Injury concerns and new signings
The big decision facing McInnes and Lawrence Shankland this week is whether to go ahead and put the skipper under the knife. Surgery will extend the striker's three-month hamstring lay-off by another month, but one way or another, it's clear Gers' frontline options have been badly blunted by injury already. With Shankland and Youssef Chermiti both out of action for the foreseeable, McInnes was praying Kelsy would live up to his huge £9.2million price-tag. He had a first-half header cleared off the line by Nikolas Agrafiotis, but it's clear it's going to take some time for his new partnership with Naderi to develop.
If you believe the whispers from Germany, Rangers will have to pay £15million to make Bouanani's season-long loan permanent next summer. Gers chiefs have refused to confirm or deny those claims so far. But they'll most definitely hope to strike it rich in the months ahead with the Stuttgart winger's teasing deliveries. The Algerian international's first impression was positive enough, with his crossing ability his stand-out attribute. Frustratingly for McInnes, no-one in blue was able to take advantage of his balls into the box during his first hour-long appearance.
Yet again, just when Manny Fernandez was looking like he was on course for an impressive individual display, he almost spoiled it with one of his now trademark brain farts. This time it was another criminally short pass to Dujon Sterling, who was forced to take a booking to prevent Agrafiotis sprinting clear. McInnes has repeatedly told Fernandez he needs to up his focus levels. If he doesn't he'll get a jolt when he loses his place. One man who is growing more and more reliable, however, is keeper Pandur. His brinksmanship ploy with Taylor was crucial to the three points as he waited and waited to make the crucial stop.
This one will hurt St Mirren more than their cup skelping here last month. Then it was clear that they were second best for the full 90. To be fair, they were well off it again during the opening half. But McLeish's side had their chances to snatch a huge win during a brave second half and really should have netted when Taylor burst clear, with Declan John also whistling just wide. It will sting but the Buddies should retain heart, they're in good hands with McLeish as gaffer.
