Premiership (Scotland)

A Jorge Grant penalty and a Mikael Mandron own goal put the visitors two goals ahead, making Toyosi Olusanya’s terrific solo effort a mere consolation.

Hibernian’s defeat at home to St Johnstone, however, was enough to confirm Saints’ berth in the top half of the table for the five final games while Hearts consolidated their hold on third place.

Saints manager Stephen Robinson made three changes from the side that drew with Motherwell. Out went Ryan Strain, Mark O’Hara and James Bolton, replaced by Elvis Bwomono, Kwon Hyeok-kyu and Richard Taylor.

Hearts, in turn, made two switches following their draw with Kilmarnock, with Cammy Devlin and Kye Rowles coming in for Lawrence Shankland and Beni Baningime.

The windy conditions made things difficult for both sides, with a free-kick attempt from Saints’ Caolan Boyd-Munce soaring high over the crossbar.

But Hearts went in front from the penalty spot after 33 minutes. Marcus Fraser slid in with his arm raised to block Kenneth Vargas’ shot and VAR asked referee Alan Muir to take a second look.

He didn’t take long before awarding the spot-kick that Grant confidently slid past Zach Hemming to give the visitors the lead.

Hearts had the wind at their backs in the second period and almost took advantage with their first attack, Vargas’ shot across the face of goal drifting only narrowly beyond the far post.

The Costa Rican looked the player most likely to create something and another run and shot again went just wide.

St Mirren’s best chance early in the second half came from the boot of a Hearts player, with Frankie Kent nearly putting the ball into his own net after Olusanya had lost control but Zander Clark made a good save to spare his team-mate’s blushes.

Instead it was Hearts who scored next to double their lead in the 62nd minute. Alex Cochrane’s corner was headed back across goal by Alan Forrest and ended up ricocheting off Mandron and into the net.

The home side could have cut the deficit moments later but Taylor headed wide from Boyd-Munce’s corner.

St Mirren, though, did finally get a goal back not long afterwards.

Olusanya carried the ball towards the Hearts goal from the halfway line, holding off the backtracking defenders before finishing well past Clark.

Devlin should have scored a third for Hearts after a mistake from Alex Gogic but Hemming did well to block his shot before the ball was cleared.

VAR sent referee Muir to the screen for a second time in the game after Conor McMenamin appeared to be clipped by Aidan Denholm.

This time the official chose to stick with his on-field decision and didn’t award the penalty but the news from Easter Road meant both sets of fans were relatively content come full-time.

Sean Kelly turned the ball into his own net with eight minutes remaining in the first half to give Saints their first victory in four matches.

St Mirren, who remain in third place in the table, passed up numerous chances to add to their lead as well as having a goal ruled out by VAR in the closing stages.

Livingston find themselves bottom after another toothless showing.

Jonah Ayunga made his first appearance since January when he was named in the Saints starting XI in place of Ryan Strain, who has been ruled out with a groin injury. Stephen Robinson also welcomed back skipper Mark O’Hara, who missed the 4-0 defeat at Dundee due to illness.

David Martindale handed Michael Nottingham his first start for the club as the Livingston boss made three changes to the team that lost 2-0 to Rangers last time out. Jason Holt and Kurtis Guthrie were preferred to Luiyi De-Lucas and Mo Sangare, while Cristian Montano was unable to recover from a hamstring injury.

O’Hara glanced wide as the hosts began brightly, though they would find clear-cut chances difficult to come by in the early exchanges.

It was a pattern that would continue as the first half went on, however, St Mirren did have a rare sight of goal when Richard Taylor did well to find space on the edge of the area before sending an effort past the post.

Just before the half-hour mark, Mikael Mandron connected with Caolan Boyd-Munce’s corner, though he would see his effort deflected into the grateful arms of Shamal George.

Livingston had offered nothing in the way of a goal threat but they almost found themselves ahead when Nottingham glanced James Penrice’s corner beyond Zach Hemming and against the crossbar.

The home side broke the deadlock with eight minutes remaining in the first half, Greg Kiltie did well to weave his way into the box before getting a shot away which was parried as far as Kelly, who was unable to avoid diverting the ball into his own net.

All of the momentum was with St Mirren, and Ayunga almost marked his return with a goal as he looped a header against the bar just before half-time.

Taylor should have done better when the ball broke to him on the edge of the box shortly after the break, but he would blaze well over the top.

A low drive from Boyd-Muncie crept agonisingly wide as Saints looked to extend their advantage, though they would survive a scare when Taylor was forced to clear Guthrie’s goal-bound shot off the line.

Stephen Robinson was dealt a blow when Taylor was taken off on a stretcher after sustaining a nasty looking ankle injury – forcing the Saints boss to replace the defender with Charles Dunne.

The game should have been put beyond doubt when Boyd-Munce seized on a defensive lapse by Joel Nouble before teeing up Mandron who somehow failed to find the target.

Moments later, it looked as if St Mirren had clinched all three points when a scramble inside the box ended with Tom Parkes turning the ball into his own net, however, a lengthy VAR check led to the goal being disallowed for offside.

A wonderful stop by Hemming denied Nouble a dramatic injury-time equaliser following good work by Bruce Anderson, while at the other end O’Hara’s shot flew narrowly over.

Brad Lyons scored for the second time in two games to give the hosts the lead after 19 minutes, but Saints levelled 12 minutes later when Kyle Magennis turned Scott Tanser’s driven cross into his own net.

The second half was broken up by a series of fouls and stoppages, with neither side offering much of a goal threat.

Having extended their unbeaten league run to seven games, St Mirren stayed in second place, four points behind Celtic, with Killie in eighth.

Mikael Mandron could only manage a weak header into the arms of Will Dennis as the visitors created the first opportunity in what was a scrappy opening 15 minutes.

The home supporters screamed for a penalty after the ball appeared to strike the hand of Marcus Fraser, though referee Chris Graham waved play on after consulting VAR.

Kilmarnock opened the scoring when Lyons seized on some sloppy defending by Charles Dunne and then beat Zach Hemming to the loose ball to head home.

St Mirren were almost the architects of their own downfall again eight minutes later when Alex Gogic was dispossessed and it required a good block by Fraser to divert Matty Kennedy’s shot behind for a corner.

St Mirren levelled just after the half-hour mark. Tanser did well to fizz the ball across the six-yard box and Magennis diverted the cross into his own net.

Conor McMenamin worked the Killie keeper as the visitors looked to build on their equaliser and Derek McInnes was dealt a blow when Magennis hobbled off after 34 minutes to be replaced by David Watson.

Danny Armstrong’s tantalising cross somehow evaded everyone inside the six-yard box and Lyons had a low effort saved as the home team began the second half brightly – but chances were at a premium as the half progressed.

The Saints players and supporters were incensed when the referee booked Ryan Strain for simulation after the player hit the deck under the challenge of Watson.

Liam Polworth passed up a glorious opportunity in stoppage time when he blazed over after being picked out by Kyle Vassell.

Watson was booked in the final minute for a cynical pull back on Mark O’Hara, the last action of a underwhelming second half.

An own goal from County’s Ryan Leak broke the deadlock early in the second half before Jonah Ayunga added a second five minutes later.

The visitors, who lost for the first time since Derek Adams’ return as manager, rarely threatened, a late header from Alex Samuel that was saved the closest they came to scoring.

St Mirren made three changes from the side beaten by St Johnstone. Out went Ryan Flynn, Charles Dunne and Lewis Jamieson, replaced by Richard Taylor, Stav Nahmani and Thierry Small.

County made just one enforced change from their 3-0 midweek win over Motherwell, Dylan Smith in for the suspended Will Nightingale.

It was the home team who had the first real chance, Ayunga creating room for a shot that Ross Laidlaw did well to save at the expense of a corner.

At the other end, Small was fortunate to see his clearance strike team-mate Mark O’Hara and drift only narrowly wide. From the resulting James Brown corner, Jordan White headed off target from a promising position.

St Mirren ought to have gone in front after 24 minutes.

Greg Kiltie fed Nahmani down the left wing then met the Israeli’s return ball, only to strike the bar with his effort.

Nahmani then dribbled through on goal but saw his near-post shot blocked by Laidlaw for another Saints corner that came to nothing.

The goalkeeper was a key performer for County and made another smart save to keep out Ayunga’s low driven effort before the break.

Saints started the second half still on top and made the breakthrough after 51 minutes.

The home side celebrated, believing Leak had inadvertently knocked the ball over his own line, only for referee Calum Scott to initially wave play on.

After a few seconds, VAR intervened and play was stopped before the goal was confirmed.

St Mirren messed up a great chance to double their lead when Nahmani’s shot was blocked by Jack Baldwin but did get their second goal after 56 minutes.

Ayunga was the scorer this time, firing an effort low beyond Laidlaw, who perhaps ought to have done better to keep it out.

County made changes to try to get back in the contest and only a brilliant save from Zach Hemming kept out a header from substitute Alex Samuel.

Harris will take a hands-on role in a new position less than two years after stepping down from the board for health reasons.

The chairman is leaving the club next week and his father, majority shareholder Geoff Brown, will assume the role of honorary president.

The reshuffle could now allow Saints to appoint a permanent manager with Steven MacLean the prime candidate after leading the club to cinch Premiership safety in a caretaker role.

Steve Brown, whose vice-chairman Charlie Fraser is also set to leave, said in a statement: “Stan was a brilliant member of our board for 15 years and it’s great to have him back, leading the football club.

“My dad will now become honorary president instead of chairman. We feel that role is more befitting of his overall contribution to St Johnstone over a period of 37 years.”

Harris described his appointment as a “wonderful honour”.

He added: “With Steve Brown standing down as chairman, and the club up for sale, it’s important to have someone at the helm who knows the club inside out. We feel my appointment will help the overall stability and continuity.

“I will lead the board and report to the Brown family.”

Alan Storrar has been appointed to the board with former Saints striker Roddy Grant staying on as director.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Remi Matthews has delivered a farewell message to the club and supporters after his loan spell from Crystal Palace ended.

“I’ve absolutely loved my time at St Johnstone,” Matthews said.

“It’s been great for me on the pitch getting to play 35 games. I came here to get game time and I have managed to do that to, what I feel, a good standard.

“I am so relieved to be able to leave the club with their safety secured. I may have only been on loan but I knew how much it meant to everyone and to myself, so I’m delighted to maintain Saints’ top-flight status. St Johnstone are a top-flight club without a shadow of a doubt.

“Macca came in and has done brilliantly, he really lifted the place and did everything he could to give us that final push over the line.

“I’m gutted I won’t be able to get to say a proper goodbye to the fans but it’s time to go home and spend some quality time with my family who, unfortunately, I haven’t seen much this year.

“I just want everyone to know how much I appreciate the love and support you gave me this season. It was an experience I will never forget.”

Luiyi de Lucas looked to have won the game for the home side when the defender netted from close range two minutes from the end of regulation time.

Saints, though, kept going and Nahmani claimed his first league goal to salvage a point for his team.

Both sides were unchanged from their previous outings, with Livingston having won at Hibernian and St Mirren drawing at home with Aberdeen.

The visitors started on top and Keanu Baccus headed wide from a tempting cross from Conor McMenamin.

Livingston nearly benefited from a St Mirren error when Richard Taylor mishit a pass to Kurtis Guthrie but the striker blazed his shot off target.

The home side were forced into an early change. Andrew Shinnie landed awkwardly after contesting a high ball with Baccus and was stretchered off after receiving lengthy on-field treatment from the medical staff. Mo Sangare took his place.

Joel Nouble was next to threaten for Livingston but his effort was blocked by Alex Gogic.

St Mirren responded with a direct free-kick from Ryan Strain – the Premiership Player of the Month – that was easily gathered by Shamal George.

The goalkeeper then had to make a smart save to push away Greg Kiltie’s header that looked destined for the bottom corner.

The second half followed a similar pattern with neither side able to get into any kind of rhythm, with referee Nick Walsh repeatedly interrupting play to award foul after foul.

When St Mirren finally created a shooting chance after a free-kick was knocked out to the edge of the box, Caolan Boyd-Munce’s drive was well blocked.

Livingston had barely threatened since the break but De Lucas came close with a header that went just over before Zach Hemming did well to save a low powerful shot from Jamie Brandon.

The hosts did get the ball in the net after 75 minutes through Bruce Anderson but VAR had a look and the effort was chalked off for offside.

But they were not denied two minutes from time. Sangare did well to get on to a free-kick into the box and from his square ball De Lucas tapped home.

That looked to be the winner but Saints had one final attack. Strain crossed for Gogic to head back across and Nahmani drilled home the shot from close range.

Mikael Mandron netted the decisive second goal after playing a role in the opener when his shot struck the post before finding the net off the back of visiting goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov.

It was the perfect response to their defeat at Livingston last weekend, and keeps St Mirren in fifth place in the cinch Premiership, two points behind Kilmarnock.

“I thought it was comfortable, I felt we were in total control of the game,” Robinson said.

“It’s strange, football, because we played fantastically well against Livingston last week and didn’t get anything out of it.

“Today it was a very professional performance and very clinical when we needed to be.

“We’re delighted with the three points. We probably could have done more with how much we controlled it, but it was scrappy at times.”

Mandron played a key-role for the Buddies, bouncing back from the disappointment of missing a penalty in last week’s defeat to Livingston.

The Frenchman has moved on to nine goals for the season, and his gaffer was full of praise for his reaction to a conversation between the pair at the turn of the year.

“We had a conversation with Mika six or seven weeks ago and told him what we felt his attributes are,” said Robinson.

“He should be holding the ball up, winning more headers and challenging more.

“His finish for the second was excellent. It’s harsh to take that first one off him but no doubt they will.

“We’re delighted with him and it shows that even at 29, you can still improve and he’s doing that every day.”

Craig Levein provided an update on striker Adama Sidibeh after the striker collapsed on the full-time whistle at the SMISA Stadium.

Sidibeh received lengthy medical treatment and will now undergo further checks at a local hospital.

“He’s stable, he collapsed,” said Levein.

“The doc said he had low blood pressure. He’s had lots of tests, he’s conscious and appears to be OK.

“He’s going to the local hospital for further tests just in case we missed something.

“He did get a knock on his head but was fine when the physio went on, there were no symptoms of problems.

“He stayed on the park. We had a chance pretty late on and maybe the keeper caught him. Maybe that led to him lying on the ground, I don’t know. We need to get further checks for peace of mind.”

The events following the game were clearly playing on the mind of the St Johnstone boss, though he admits his team were well below-par as they rarely threatened the St Mirren goal.

The McDiarmid Park side are now just two points ahead of Ross County, who occupy the relegation play-off place.

“We were consistently poor, I felt we played into St Mirren’s hands,” said Levein.

“We continually gave the ball away, made the wrong choices and put ourselves under pressure.

The 27-year-old Northern Ireland international joins from NIFL Premiership side Glentoran on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee, subject to clearance, with the Buddies holding the option of a further year.

Robinson told St Mirren’s official website what had to happen to complete the transfer.

He said: “It’s been a protracted negotiation but I have to pay a lot of credit to Conor himself and his agent Brian Adair and Keith Gillespie.

“They made the deal work by taking a little bit less and sacrificing their agency fee and less wages than initially agreed. That shows a real desire to come to St Mirren.

“We’re excited to have him. He’s arguably been the best player in the NIFL for two or three seasons now and was highly sought after.

“We’ve worked very hard for him and credit to the agents and the player. It’s really refreshing to see an attitude where money wasn’t everything to make the deal work and honesty from an agent.

“We’ve signed a very good footballer that can play in numerous positions. He can play right through the middle, as a wing-back and in behind the striker, so we’ve got a really versatile player who can score goals and create chances.

“In certain games last year, we lacked a wee bit of brilliance where someone can score out of nothing. We’re hopeful he’s the little spark you need sometimes in games like that.”

McMenamin made 109 appearances for Glens after joining in January 2021 and made 67 goal contributions (42 goals and 25 assists).

That came after a spell at Cliftonville between 2018 and 2021 where he netted 25 times in 72 matches.

McMenamin received his first Northern Ireland call-up in June 2022 and has since been capped by the national side six times, which includes substitute appearances in their recent Euro qualifying matches against Denmark and Kazakhstan.

He said: “I’m really looking forward to it.

“It’s been a long few weeks back-and-forth, and I’m really happy to have it over the line. I can’t wait to get going.

“The manager wants me to be who I am and play the way I can play. He knows my strengths and I’m going to try and bring my strengths to the team.

“It’s a good league with a lot of good teams here. It’s a really competitive league and hopefully I can hit the ground running.”

Brad Lyons headed Kilmarnock in front after 19 minutes, though the Buddies secured a 1-1 draw when Kyle Magennis turned Scott Tanser’s fizzing cross into his own net.

St Mirren remained in second place in the cinch Premiership table after extending their unbeaten run to seven matches.

“I thought we were arguably the better team in the first half – we concede and we show great character to come back again straight away,” Robinson said.

“We go behind and listen, I’m miles away so my opinion doesn’t really matter, though Zach (Hemming) is telling me that it (Brad Lyons) hit him first with his arm before his header – whether that’s right or wrong I don’t know.

“In the second half, the game sort of fizzled out a little bit and we cancelled each other out a little bit.“

A point against Kilmarnock coupled with Rangers losing 3-1 to Aberdeen meant Saints now have a three-point advantage over the Light Blues, who occupy third.

Robinson has been delighted with how his team have started their league campaign and believes that picking up more points away from home has been a key factor.

“Overall I think it is arguably a fair result, it keeps us unbeaten and in comparison to last season our away form has been excellent,” he added.

“It was a real gritty, battling performance. We all know it is difficult to get results here, they have a tremendous record at home against some of the top sides – it’s a brilliant point for us today.”

Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes was frustrated after his team had to settle for a share of the spoils.

Killie have drawn each of their last three league fixtures and have failed to register a Premiership victory since defeating Rangers on the opening day.

“I thought we were the better team in the second half but over the course of the game it would be churlish for me to say we wholeheartedly deserved to win it,” McInnes said.

“We were up against a team who have had a lot of plaudits and are going well.

“I’m just annoyed we’ve not enjoyed being in front for longer, we get a break with the goal – a really committed goal from Brad.

“We’ve played 13 games now and we’ve not been second best in any of them in terms of performance.

“We feel as though we are competing really well but you know and I know that in these type of games it’s just finding that extra bit of determination, that extra bit of quality and in moments and instances in the second half if we’d shown that then we’d have won the game.”

Ayunga’s goal was his first since a serious knee injury that kept him out for almost a year and gave Saints a two-goal cushion following Ryan Leak’s own goal.

Robinson praised the Englishman’s perseverance – and the club’s medical stuff – for ensuring his return to action was as smooth as possible.

The St Mirren manager said: “I’m delighted for Jonah.

“When you’re out injured it’s a lonely place, so a special mention for Jonah and (physio) Gerry Docherty and Gary McCall, the strength and conditioning coach, who have spent hours getting him to this level.

“It’s testament to how hard Jonah has worked and he’s got his just reward.”

Ayunga celebrated by sticking the ball under his jersey as a nod to his pregnant partner.

Robinson added: “I’m not sure how long (she has) to go. That will be a special moment.

“What you don’t appreciate when you’re out injured is how it affects your other half – they take the brunt of everything. They’re the real strong ones and I’m sure Jonah would agree.”

St Mirren could have scored more after missing several chances in the first half and late in the game, but Robinson was stoic about it.

He added: “I’m never happy to be honest as it should have been more. But to put on that level of performance when we haven’t won for a couple of weeks shows how tough mentally the squad are.

“We demanded we play our way and not get drawn into a long-ball game. That’s credit to the mentality of players.

“We could have won by more as we had plenty of chances, but we got what we deserved.”

His opposite number Derek Adams did not disagree with that assessment as he tasted defeat for the first time since returning as County manager.

He said: “The first goal was always going to be pivotal in this game. St Mirren got it, as quite rightly the VAR ruled it over the line.

“We didn’t play as well as we have done in previous weeks. Coming away from home, it’s a venue which Ross County haven’t done well at over the years.

“I was a bit disappointed in the way we didn’t take the game to them. When we were 2-0 down we were still trying to pass it, forgetting the object of the game is to score goals.

“That was a wee bit disappointing. But we didn’t play as well as we can do or have done. We didn’t deserve to win the game.”

Sean Kelly’s first-half own goal settled a hard-fought encounter in which Saints passed up a number of good chances to win by a greater margin.

Robinson’s team remain third in the table having ended a run of three games without a win and now hold a two-point advantage over Hearts and sit four in front of Hibernian.

“I’m delighted, it was a really, really tough game,” Robinson said.

“It’s a tough game that we’ve come out on top of, we’ve reset ourselves, it was tough after a 4-0 defeat and it shows great character from the boys.

“When you play Livi it’s a battle, it’s a scrap and the game is reduced to longer balls. You have to land on seconds and you have to be physical – I think we’ve done that.

“The pitch was slippy, really hard to play on and a cold day – it’s those days that you show your character and I think we’ve done that in abundance today.

“We’ve shown character, a grit and steely determination to see the game out – and should have won maybe by more in the end on the counter attack but for our decision making.”

Robinson is hopeful he will not be without the services of Richard Taylor for an extended period of time after the defender was taken off on a stretcher with what appeared to be a nasty looking ankle injury.

The Buddies gaffer reckons Taylor is a major doubt for Tuesday’s trip to Ross County but could come back into the reckoning in the near future.

“It’s not as bad as it looked I don’t think, he walked off the stretcher afterwards,” he said.

“We’re hopeful, Tuesday might be a push but we’re hopeful it isn’t too serious.”

David Martindale felt his Livingston side failed to do enough to merit taking anything from their trip to the SMISA Stadium.

Livingston have slumped to the foot of the table following their sixth successive Premiership defeat.

“I don’t feel like we should have got something from the game but that’s me probably sitting with the negative hat on because we’re not picking points up,” Martindale said.

“We all know the basic fundamentals are that we need to start picking points up as quickly as possible.

“I try not to think too much about luck, I’m a great believer that you get what you work for in life and you’ve got to try to keep your head down and working hard.”

Ryan Strain netted the only goal after seven minutes but St Mirren had three further goals ruled out over the course of an excellent display.

After recording back-to-back victories, the Buddies remain in second spot in the table – two points behind leaders Celtic and four ahead of Motherwell in third.

It took a fantastic stop by goalkeeper Zach Hemming to deny Lawrence Shankland in the final seconds of stoppage time and clinch victory but Robinson believes his team were well worth the three points.

He said: “We should have won by more, we had chances in the first half where I thought we were very dominant and we had three goals disallowed – that would suggest we deserved to win the game.

“Hearts are a very good side, they were always going to have spells in the game and they proved that.

“When we needed to be resolute we were and we defended very well as a team, the back five were excellent and Zach Hemming made a superb save.

“We made it harder than it should have been but I’m very, very pleased with the performance and the result.”

Despite having their celebrations cut short by having a goal disallowed on three occasions, the St Mirren boss was reluctant to point the finger at the officials.

Instead, Robinson felt it was a good indicator of the attacking threat posed by his team.

He added: “I’ve not seen them back, obviously if it’s offside then it’s offside – the lines don’t really lie do they?

“The other ones I’m miles away so it’s hard to make a call, it looks soft to me, but we are getting in those positions, creating those chances and scoring those goals.

“Make no mistake, Hearts are a very good side, they’ve got vast resources, very good players and a good manager – that’s a terrific result and performance for us.”

Robinson insists that despite extending their unbeaten start to six games nobody is getting carried away – though he does hope the supporters are daring to dream.

“My job is to live in the real world, we’ve started well and that’s all it is,” Robinson said.

“I’ll let the fans enjoy it, let them dream and I’ll keep within the realism.”

Hearts boss Steven Naismith was frustrated as his side continue to struggle away from home.

The Jambos have won just one of six away fixtures under Naismith and they found themselves behind early on after a defensive mix-up allowed Strain to blast home the only goal.

“The biggest thing is frustration, we give up a very cheap goal and then we have three good chances that we’ve got to score – that’s ultimately what has defined the game,” he said.

“The game played out very much like we expected it to play out, in both boxes we’ve given ourselves an uphill challenge by losing an early goal and we weren’t clinical enough in the final third which has cost us.

“It’s disappointing, there’s no one person you can pick out because at times everybody has made a mistake.”

The 38-year-old Northern Irishman, who had two fruitful spells as a player at Ibrox, was invited by the Gers board on Sunday evening to take the reins until they appoint a new permanent boss.

Davis will be assisted by fellow former Rangers players Alex Rae and Steven Smith, as well as coach Brian Gilmour and goalkeeping coach Colin Stewart.

“I’m very honoured,” he told Rangers TV on Monday. “The call came out of the blue a little bit. I wasn’t expecting it but I’d just like to try and repay the trust the club have shown by putting me in this position.

“Obviously it’s not a position we would like to be in, we’re disappointed with where we’re at at this moment in time but I’m really looking forward to the challenge.

“I’m delighted to get the opportunity. I believe in the group we’ve got. Things haven’t gone the way we would have liked and we find ourselves in this situation but I’m sure with ourselves and the fans pushing in the same direction we can go on and get some good results.”

Beale paid the price for a dismal start to the season, with Rangers third in the cinch Premiership – behind St Mirren – and seven points adrift of city rivals Celtic after three defeats in seven league matches.

In addition, they suffered a 7-3 aggregate defeat by PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League play-off round in August, with a raft of summer signings having failed to shine so far.

Davis and the rest of the interim coaching staff must rouse the team following Saturday’s humiliating 3-1 defeat at home to Aberdeen as they prepare to head to Cyprus to face Aris Limassol in the Europa League on Thursday.

Rangers’ next league match is away to second-placed St Mirren on Sunday before the international break brings a fortnight in which they can try to regroup and bed in a new manager.

“Ultimately we have to get results first and foremost at a club like Rangers,” said Davis. “I just want to try and get some pride back in terms of the way we play and try and get the boys’ confidence back as well.

“We’ve got a really good group here. I see the level of application here, I’ve been in and around it long enough with the majority of them, so I just want to get that belief back in the team and give them a platform to go and show their best performances.”

Davis is unlikely to be considered for the role on a permanent basis, with Kevin Muscat, Chris Wilder and Frank Lampard among those having been linked with the vacancy in the aftermath of Beale’s exit.

However, the Northern Irishman intends to use his spell in charge as a learning curve.

“Management was something I’ve considered for further down the line,” he said. “I wasn’t expecting this opportunity, it hadn’t crossed my mind, but it was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.

“It’s going to be a great experience for me and I’m really looking forward to the challenge. Everybody knows what the club means to me. My approach is just going to be the same as I was as a player, and that’s just to give it my best. Hopefully that will be good enough.”

Beale wished Rangers well for the future as he issued a social media post within hours of his sacking backing the Ibrox club to get back on track.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cx4Ku0AoE86/?hl=en

The 43-year-old took to Instagram in the early hours of Monday morning to wish Davis all the best.

“Thank you @RangersFC to everyone behind the scenes at the training ground and Ibrox, to the board, staff, fans and all the players,” he wrote. “I will always follow and support the club from afar and wish you every success.

“Now is the time for everyone to unite fully behind Steven Davis and the team in the coming games.

“There is still so much to play for this season and I have a strong belief in this group of players. Thank you and good luck.”

United suffered a fourth consecutive defeat on Wednesday as a 3-0 loss to Kilmarnock left them three points adrift with one game left of the cinch Premiership season.

A late equaliser from former United player Ryan McGowan for St Johnstone against Ross County looks like only delaying the inevitable as Jim Goodwin’s side would need an eight-goal swing to go their way even if they beat Motherwell and the Staggies lose at Kilmarnock.

Fletcher admitted there had been a key element missing all season.

The 36-year-old said: “We come in every day, work hard, but it’s all good doing that on the training pitch and us leaving the training pitch every day and saying ‘we’ve got a good squad’. I’ve said it all season, it’s a good team, a good group of lads.

“Sometimes it is not enough. When you cross that white line you need to roll up your sleeves and work hard for each other.

“We’ve got a great group of individual players who will probably have a great career but when you cross that line you need to work as a team and need to push each other.

“Sometimes, without overstepping the line, you need a bit of nastiness in your team.

“It’s frustrating. They’ll all go home and think about it. It’s quite a young group and it’s going to hit them. I’m an older, experienced lad, I kind of know how to take it but some of them, it might not hit them for a week or two. It is going to hit them that ‘I’m not going to be playing in the Premiership anymore, I’m going to be in the Championship’.

“They are going to need to get over it real quick because this club shouldn’t be down there, it should still be in the Premiership.

“All the lads need to go and have a hard look at themselves and see where they want to be in their careers because it is definitely not down there.”

Fletcher believes Goodwin should be given an extended contract despite the losing streak.

“I think he has been fantastic since he came in,” the former Scotland striker said. “I feel like, as a group, we have let him down to be honest. He came in and it was what we were crying out for, the way he was on the training pitch.

“He will probably say it is a group, collective thing, him as well. For me, we were the ones who crossed the white line, we were the ones who need to do the job.”

Fletcher played through the pain barrier on Wednesday after missing the defeat at Livingston.

“I had a little tear in my groin but I found it hard enough at the weekend sitting in the house watching it,” he said. “It was a risk and it didn’t pay off because I didn’t do much in the game. I couldn’t just sit at home and watch because I’m not that kind of guy.”

The former Scotland striker had another year left on his Tannadice deal but he will not be part of manager Jim Goodwin’s cinch Championship title charge.

The 36-year-old told the club’s official website: “I would like to thank everyone at the club for the warm reception my family and I received, and the fans for welcoming me with open arms – that’s something that will never leave me.

“I know this club will be back where it belongs with the group of players that remain here under Jim’s guidance, and I wish the boys, the gaffer and the supporters all the very best for the future.”

United added: “The club would like to place on record our gratitude to Steven for his services, as he leaves with our best wishes.”

The defender was sent off with seven minutes remaining in regulation time after a VAR check penalised a studs-up challenge on Joel Nouble.

The numerical disadvantage prevented the McDiarmid Park side from launching a late push for a first victory of the campaign.

MacLean said: “I’m frustrated with the penalty. I think Liam is naive, he thinks he can win it – but I don’t think it’s a penalty.

“I’ve watched it back and I’ve spoken to the referee, and he says he’s impeded him.

“Then he said he’d need to see it back, so take from that what you want. His reasoning doesn’t suggest it’s a penalty.

“Liam shouldn’t go near him because the ball is going out the pitch. But the ref is 35 yards away looking through Sven [Sprangler], I don’t know how he can give the penalty.”

On the red card, he added: “I saw it from a wide angle. It doesn’t look like a red but I need to see the stills because that’s what they go on these days, isn’t it?

“So I’ve not seen the VAR footage. It looked like a proper, hard tackle.”

It was a third draw in seven Premiership games for St Johnstone, but MacLean felt his side turned in an improved performance from their 2-0 defeat to Hibernian.

After making four changes to his line-up and altering formation, he added: “In the second half, we weren’t as good as first half. The goal probably changes that, we only looked like we’d concede from set-plays because they’re a big side.

“We lick our wounds and go again. It’s not what we wanted but sometimes things are out of your control.

“I thought our shape was good, we were looking comfortable. We should’ve come in at half-time two or three up.”

Meanwhile, Livingston manager David Martindale was happy to see his team spring to life in the second half to register a positive result after defeats to Celtic and Rangers in their last two outings.

He said: “In the first half, we were really lethargic and passive, and I think there was an overhang [from Wednesday’s Viaplay Cup loss to Rangers].

“But you’ve also got to give Stevie and St Johnstone credit, because I think they came after us.

“When we got the goal, we really settled down in the game and from that point we had the impetus to go and try to get more from the game.

“The boys got a wee lift in energy levels. Our tempo increased and we put to bed Wednesday night, in terms of the mental side and the fatigue.

“If you had offered me a point before the game, after this run of fixtures, I probably would have taken it.

“I’m disappointed we never took three points but I would probably say a draw is the right result.”

Hearts, who are five points behind Aberdeen in the battle for third place in the cinch Premiership, have taken four points from four matches under Naismith, whose side finish the campaign with home games against the Dons and city rivals Hibernian either side of a trip to Rangers next Wednesday.

“Without a shadow of a doubt,” said Naismith when asked if he expects the remaining matches to impact on what the Hearts board choose to do next.

“All along, the club asked me to take the team until the end of the season and then we’ll review things at the end of the season.

“We’re halfway along that, and these next three games are without doubt going to have an impact on what happens.

“That might not just be on results, it’s about our performances, the way we play, how we do in the games. There’s loads of aspects to what decision will be made by the club.

“For me, it’s been a brilliant experience so far. I’ve loved every minute of it and I think I’ve done a good job so far.”

Asked if he wants to continue in the role, Naismith – who had been working as Hearts B team manager since hanging up his boots – said: “I‘ll decide that probably at the end of the season.

“It’s been great, I’ve loved it, there’s not been many negatives at all. But I’ve always said the decision needs to be right for me about when I’m going to be a manager and where that is. I’m trying not to get too carried away one way or another.

“There’s been no talks about anything beyond this season and I’m comfortable with it that way.”

Naismith expressed concern about the ongoing struggles with VAR’s implementation in Scottish football after Hearts midfielder Peter Haring had his red card in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with St Mirren downgraded to a yellow upon appeal this week.

The interim manager remains baffled that VAR did not ask referee David Dickinson to review the Austrian’s challenge on Mark O’Hara at a time when Hearts were trailing 2-1.

“The biggest disappointment for me is that our last two games have had an impact from VAR and on both accounts I feel they’ve not been right,” said Naismith.

“The first week (when Alex Cochrane was sent off against Celtic after being deemed to have denied a goal-scoring opportunity) it steps in and makes a call and the decision was made.

“And then the total lack of consistency last week (that VAR did not intervene). I was right in front of the decision on Saturday and I could see it was not a red card.

“The fourth official was right next to me, the ref was up with play and the assistant referee was on the side of pitch, and all had great views of the incident.

“They all missed it and the decision was made. But then we’ve got the fail-safe (of VAR) that hopefully gets all these big decisions right, and for that to fail as well is really disappointing.

“It makes people not believe in it. Before this came in we knew there was going to be teething issues but it seems to be all season it’s been like this, which is disappointing.”

The Tynecastle side looked to be heading for another defeat after goals from Joe Shaughnessy and Ryan Strain had the hosts two goals to the good at half-time.

But strikes from Josh Ginnelly and Lawrence Shankland, either side of Peter Haring’s red card, earned Hearts a 2-2 draw.

Naismith admitted his team’s first-half display had been far from good enough.

He said: “The first half was really frustrating because it was nowhere near good enough for where the expectation for the club is. We were far too safe and passive.

“St Mirren pressed as we expected they would and we weren’t good enough to get through it in the first half.

“That’s a real frustration because in the second half you see, with nothing to lose, the boys make brave decisions in key moments and that gets us back in the game and then we have the desire to play for the 95, 96 minutes and we come away with something that gives us hope.

“At half-time it was just being honest with them and telling them the straight facts of it. But the players knew at half-time. They were saying it all before I was.

“But what I’ve taken from previous managers, and more recently working with Steve Clarke, is you’re still in a game at 2-0. You need to make bold and brave decisions that I felt we did today.”

The draw damages St Mirren’s hopes of qualifying for Europe next season and manager Stephen Robinson was massively disappointed.

He said: “We were 30 seconds from being a point behind Hibs and Hearts. It’s a huge blow for us and a huge disappointment for us.

“The first half we were excellent. We took the game to Hearts and we said at half-time, ‘go after the game’. But we didn’t stop the cross for the first goal and we made a poor decision for the penalty.

“We had enough chances to win the game by five or six. Our decision-making on the break wasn’t great, but it’s not one person’s fault. It’s not a blame game. Collectively we made poor decisions. We played with a little bit of fear in the second half.

“We were so close to the points, but we took a step back instead of a step forward and we got massively punished for that.”

The Jambos eked out a 1-0 victory at home to St Johnstone, following up the triumphs over Motherwell and Livingston prior to the international break.

It is the first time that they have managed to collected nine points from a possible nine since they defeated Dundee and Ross County in December 2021 and then St Johnstone the following month, and now Naismith wants his team to maintain the consistency.

“A stat which I worked out earlier in the week which is incredible is that we hadn’t won three league games in a row since January 2022,” he said. “It’s an incredible stat for a club like Hearts.

“We have done that today and we have now got to use that. As I said last week and the week before, we need to be consistent in keeping clean sheets, making chances, getting goals and winning games. So it’s been a good afternoon. The biggest gripe is probably that we’ve not scored more goals.”

The only goal of the game came in the 61st minute came when Liam Boyce steered an effort towards goal, although it flicked off Lawrence Shankland on its way into the net, and the Scotland forward appears to have been credited with his 11th club goal of the season.

“I think it’s Shanks who has been fortunate,” said Naismith when asked to clear up the confusion about who scored the goal. “Boyce has done all the leg work and it’s a controlled finish, and then it’s come off Shanks’ calf and goes in. Shanks is certainly claiming it.

“By the time we made it into the changing room everyone had given it to Shanks.”

Naismith was baffled that Hearts were not awarded a first-half penalty when Alan Forrest went down under a challenge from Luke Robinson.

“It’s a penalty all day long, but are referees refereeing the game differently now because they’re thinking VAR might step in, but if it doesn’t hit the threshold for clean and obvious it’s not given?” mused Naismith. “It’s a penalty, no debate about it.”

Recently-appointed St Johnstone boss Craig Levein was encouraged by his team’s display but joked that he was disappointed he did not get a more hostile reception from the Hearts supporters.

The 59-year-old spent a huge chunk of his career at Tynecastle as a player, director of football and two-time manager, before he was sacked four years ago.

“I was expecting to get a little bit of stick but it didn’t really materialise,” he laughed. “I was a wee bit disappointed. I need to have a word with the Hearts fans about that!”

Reflecting on the match, Levein added: “We were in the game at all times even after the goal, but what do you do with Boyce and Shankland if they get a chance? We tried to stop them getting chances and that was one of the things I was really pleased about.

“Apart from that opportunity we restricted them to very little but they’re just so good at putting the ball in the back of the net. We fell foul to that today.”

Goals either side of the break from Yutaro Oda and Liam Boyce gave Hearts the spoils and left the Dons joint bottom of the cinch Premiership with St Johnstone.

Aberdeen had been looking for a morale-boosting result to take them into their opening Europa Conference League group clash away to Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday.

But the afternoon ended with Barry Robson’s side being booed off by the travelling fans at Tynecastle.

Aberdeen had started brightly and saw plenty of the ball in the opposition half during the early exchanges.

Midfielder James McGarry got a volley away at the edge of the box, but Hearts goalkeeper Zander Clark kept the effort out with a fine save.

Hearts began to settle and after a move fizzled out from a turnover in a decent position, Nathaniel Atkinson registered the home’s first shot on target after 12 minutes.

McGarry was guilty of being careless in possession on the edge of his own box, but goalkeeper Kelle Roos got down well to Atkinson’s low drive.

Oda then fired Hearts in front in the 14th minute following neat build-up play. Lawrence Shankland knocked the ball back to Boyce, who found the Japanese forward.

Oda raced into the box and the forward’s right-footed drive took a deflection off McGarry before beating Roos.

There were chances at either end before the half was over. McGarry had another drive saved by Clark from distance, but Hearts finished the opening 45 minutes on top.

Alan Forrest was unable to convert with a header from Stephen Kingsley’s teasing cross to the back post before Boyce dragged a shot wide.

That theme continued in the second period as Hearts strengthened their grip on the game.

Kenneth Vargas hit the crossbar with a drive from the corner of the box, but Hearts made their pressure count in the 64th minute when Boyce doubled their lead.

Substitute Calem Nieuwenhof’s cross came off Jamie McGrath and Roos was forced into a desperate save at his near post. Boyce was on hand to knock the rebound into the gaping goal.

Dons boss Robson rang the changes in the second half, but Hearts saw out the game comfortably.