Novo on target as Gers progress

Rangers again looked unconvincing against a team who ran them so close in last season's semi-final but managed to bring the Irn-Bru First Division side's 14-game unbeaten run to an end.

Stuart McCaffrey provided a much-needed boost just before half-time when he bundled into his own net, before Novo came off the substitutes' bench to secure the victory late on.

This match should have been all about Rangers beginning their defence of the Scottish Cup but was dominated by events off the park instead, with the club's finances firmly in the spotlight after admitting they needed to sell one of their top players this month.

Kris Boyd, who was named in the starting line-up, looked set for the exit door after a bid was agreed with Birmingham. The move has so far stalled over personal terms but skipper Barry Ferguson, goalkeeper Allan McGregor, Pedro Mendes and Madjid Bougherra are other names in the frame for a possible January departure.

Travelling fans made their feelings against chairman Sir David Murray known ahead of kick-off with a banner declaring 'David Murray Must Go', while Saints took the opportunity to wind up their visitors by blasting out cash-related tunes such as 'Money's Too Tight to Mention' and 'Money, Money, Money.'

Rangers immediately found themselves under pressure when Gavin Swankie was fouled on the edge of the box by Sasa Papac. He took the free-kick himself and drew a decent save from McGregor at the near post.

Rangers were threatening again when Boyd pounced on a Barry Ferguson ball but was nowhere near the target and volleyed well over.

The breakthrough came three minutes from the break. Alan Main's attempts to clear a speculative ball from Steven Naismith landed at the feet of Steven Davis, who found Boyd. Boyd tried to set up Kenny Miller, his flick failed to make contact and the ball was knocked into the back of his own net instead by McCaffrey.

Saints had their chances to restore parity, but Rangers threw Novo into the action for Naismith with 20 minutes to go and he dashed any hope the home side had of a comeback just nine minutes later when Davis set up the Spanish striker, who prodded home from six yards.