Marco Negri rediscovered his scoring touch today and how Rangers needed the Italian striker's contribution.

Former Perugia ace Negri scored his first goal in six games to take his tally for the season to 36.

Rangers manager Walter Smith knew victory was vital if they were to keep the pressure on Celtic and Hearts at the top of the table.

But this was another messy display by the champions, who needed a goal from Swedish midfielder Jonas Thern to seal victory.

Alan Kernaghan put St Johnstone ahead and last season's First Division champions will no doubt feel unlucky not to take something from the match.

The bonus for Ibrox boss Smith was the reappearance of Paul Gascoigne and Brian Laudrup.

England midfielder Gascoigne, who looks bound for Middlesbrough, played the last 19 minutes of the game, replacing Ian Durrant.

Gascoigne, who had missed the last three matches because of an ankle injury and had been omitted from the England squad, looked lively.

He was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet five minutes from time when he ran half the length of the field, only to see his shot smothered by rookie keeper Steve Robertson.

Robertson, a self-confessed Rangers fan, replaced Scotland B keeper Alan Main, sidelined with a shoulder injury.

Robertson was far from over-awed and made a number of superb saves as Rangers stepped up the pressure following the arrival of Laudrup on the Park after 24 minutes.

He replaced Craig Moore and immediately made an impact, laying on the equaliser in the 26th minute.

Former Manchester City defender Kernaghan put St Johnstone ahead after 15 minutes when a cross from Gerard McMahon was only partially cleared and the big centre-half met it on the edge of the area to rattle a superb volley into the corner.

Rangers drew level after 26 minutes when Laudrup floated in a cross from the right and Negri eased the ball home although St Johnstone defender Stuart McCluskey seemed to get the final touch.

Rangers continued to look uncomfortable defending and McMahon saw a header come back off the bar in the 29th minute.

Rangers took the lead in the 56th minute when a corner from Jorg Albertz was pushed out by Robertson to the edge of the area. Thern reacted instinctively to thump it home for only his second goal of the season.

St Johnstone keeper Robertson then made a superb block from Negri before the arrival of Gascoigne in the 71st minute.

He was given a rousing reception by the Ibrox fans but St Johnstone almost drew level in the 83rd minute.

Substitute George O'Boyle sent a shot into the roof of the net, only for his effort to be ruled offside by referee George Simpson.

It was a narrow escape for Rangers but they got the victory they wanted to keep their hopes of a record 10th successive title alive.

Teams:

Rangers: Goram, Cleland, Albertz, Moore (Laudrup 25), Petric, Bjorklund, Thern, McCoist (Gascoigne 71), Negri, McCall, Durrant (Gattuso 71).

Goals: Negri 27, Thern 56.

St Johnstone: Robertson, McQuillan, McCluskey, Sekerlioglu, Weir, Kernaghan, McMahon (O'Neil 65), Kane, Grant, Connolly (O'Boyle 71), Preston (Jenkinson 71).

Booked: McQuillan, Kane.

Goals: Kernaghan 15.

Att: 49,788

Ref: G Simpson (Westhill).