Kris Boyd showed why Rangers fans are desperate for him to remain at the club when his double secured a 2-1 victory over St Mirren and allowed the Scottish champions to reclaim second spot in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

The striker netted in the opening minute and again in the second half at Ibrox to bring his tally for the season to seven goals and - despite a late consolation from Stephen O'Donnell - his brace ensured Rangers moved ahead of Hibernian with a game in hand.

Boyd had been given his usual spot on the bench for the Gers' Champions League clash on Wednesday night and made the most of his return to the first team when he fired Rangers into the lead with just 17 seconds on the clock.

Fleck's shot from the edge of the area was parried by Paul Gallacher straight to Novo, he touched on to Boyd and the striker could not have been better place to rifle home from inside the six-yard box.

With 57 minutes gone, Beasley's pass found Novo and he rolled across the face of goal to where Boyd was waiting to stab home from close range.

Boyd then rattled a shot off the keeper's legs before Saints pulled a goal back with two minutes to go when substitute O'Donnell fired home amid claims of handball from furious Rangers players.