On a blustery day in Paisley, the home side stunned their visitors after just four minutes when midfielder Connor Ronan fired in a wonderful drive from 30 yards.

A St Mirren fan came out of the crowd to join in the celebrations but was dumped on his backside by unimpressed Saints defender Conor McCarthy.

Steven Gerrard's men recovered to eventually level in the 41st minute through a Kemar Roofe penalty, awarded when Ianis Hagi was tripped just inside the box by Saints midfielder Alan Power.

Two minutes later bedlam when Morelos - a fan favourite since signing from HJK Helsinki in 2017 - headed in a James Tavernier cross.

Gerrard said: "That's what we want our No.9s to do, run through the goal. We know we have the service from the sides.

"It was a fantastic cross from James, but 100 goals at any level for any club is a magnificent achievement.

"I said last week he will smash 100 and hopefully go on and get many more for Rangers.

"Kemar Roofe, 50th appearance, 26 goals; we've got two poachers/goal-scorers in our armoury now which is fantastic for me."

The second half was less eventful, but it ended in a first defeat in seven for Jim Goodwin's side, who had started so confidently and were never out of contention.

Ahead of the visit of Aberdeen on Wednesday, Rangers are three points clear of Hearts and Dundee United and, perhaps more importantly, four ahead of Old Firm rivals Celtic, who have found form with four straight wins.

Australian Associated Press