RANGERS are in desperate need of a pick-me-up after a dire start to the season, when St Johnstone visit in the last-16 of the Premier Sports Cup.

SunSport betting experts have previewed the contest and selected the best bets, tips and exclusive sign-up bonuses from our leading betting partners.

Find The Sun’s betting publishing principles here

Rangers vs St Johnstone preview

It’s been one thing after another if you’re a Rangers fan at the minute.

Somehow, despite the really poor football on the pitch, that has been eclipsed by the ongoings off it.

Tuesday night saw that much-needed £43million Champions League dust disappear with two late Dynamo Kyiv goals knocking Gers out.

The second yellow for Jefte wasn’t even a foul, so there’s every sympathy there. But just like the goalless draw with Hearts and narrow win over Motherwell, the performance was miles off what it should be, given the cost of this assembled squad. Somehow, it’s actually worse than last season.

The summer rebuild is yet to take any sort of shape and the blow of losing that money won’t help things in that regard.

So a win over St Johnstone is greatly needed to put the club into the quarters of the League Cup.

St Johnstone were narrowly beaten by Aberdeen on the opening day but bounced back with a superb 3-0 win at Rugby Park last time out.

They benefitted from the early red card for Killie’s Joe Wright after yet more poor defending on his part but Saints put the home side to the sword, with Adama Sidibeh attracting plenty of interest after his double in Ayrshire.

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Rangers vs St Johnstone latest odds

• St Johnstone at 12/1 with William Hill – CLAIM HERE

Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

Rangers vs St Johnstone betting tips

First scorer

There was plenty of surprise in Philippe Clement’s midweek team news when Vaclav Cerny’s name was amongst the substitutes.

The winger’s performance against Motherwell was one of only a couple of plus points so far this term and his goal capped that.

Was a half-time substitute in midweek but should come in from the start here and fancied to show why he shouldn’t be left out.

• Vaclav Cerny to score 1st at 5/1 with William Hill – CLAIM HERE

Run it close

Backing Rangers as a 1/6 shot seems incredibly risky at this moment in time.

But at any given moment, they could quite easily hand out a doing and kickstart their season.

While that could come on Saturday, the percentage play is to expect Saints to run them close. Backing each of Rangers’ opponents +1.5 since May 14th would have returned as a winner. Following suit.

• St Johnstone +1.5 handicap at 13/10 with William Hill – CLAIM HERE

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