Naismith relieved to be off the mark as focus turns to Malmo

STEVEN NAISMITH believes Rangers can now head into the second leg of their Champions League qualifier against Malmo with confidence after securing their first win of the season.

Naismith and Nikica Jelavic were both on the scoresheet as the Scottish champions claimed a 2-0 victory at St Johnstone in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League on Saturday.

The much-needed confidence-booster came after last week’s draw against Hearts and the 1-0 defeat to Malmo at Ibrox, which leaves their hopes of progressing to the Champions League group stages in the balance.

Naismith said: “The only positive we can take out of the first leg is that we did create so many chances. We did play so bad but we created four or five chances and on another day we might have scored.

“If we can create that many chances over there, hopefully we can take a few. As a team we would expect to be much better and create some chances. We are a bit relieved just to get off the mark this season, although last week, especially in the second-half against Hearts, I thought we played really well.”

Meanwhile Irish striker Jon Daly was the hero of the hour, scoring the winner as Dundee United defeated Hearts 1-0. The goal came when Daly nodded in Willo Flood’s 38th-minute corner.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Hibernian beat Inverness thanks to a stoppage-time goal from Garry O’Connor. St Mirren won 1-0 at home to Aberdeen thanks to a goal from Nigel Hasselbaink while Kilmarnock and Motherwell finished scoreless.

Celtic were not in action due to their Dublin Super Cup involvement .