Rangers remain 13 points behind league leaders Celtic, who lost 2-1 at Hibernian earlier in the day, but the Light Blues fans have long since accepted the likelihood of a trophy-less domestic season, albeit they have a Europa League last-16 tie against Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce to come in March.
It was a first return to Govan for Rangers since the humiliating Scottish Cup defeat to Championship side Queen's Park and a successive home defeat had the enraged Gers fans again lambasting manager Philippe Clement and the players.
That prospect excited supporters but new hope met current reality as the home fans endured a disjointed, laboured performance with second-half goals from striker Mikael Mandron and substitute Toyosi Olusanya handing the Paisley side their first win at Ibrox since November, 1991.
Rangers remain 13 points behind league leaders Celtic, who lost 2-1 at Hibernian earlier in the day.
Just before the break, Gers striker Hamza Igamane was shown a straight red car by referee Kevin Clancy for a foul on Saints skipper Mark O'Hara only for it to be downgraded to a yellow by the official after his VAR asked him to check his monitor but that made no difference.
