The Croatia international returned to Steven Gerrard’s side for the first time in three weeks and notched the all-important goal just short of the hour mark in Paisley
The victory sets up Rangers nicely for the second leg of their Europa League play-off tie against Legia Warsaw on Thursday – which will see a section of Ibrox closed after the club were charged by UEFA as a result of a minority of supporters singing sectarian songs during a European match against St Joseph’s.
St Mirren struck the post in the first half through Jon Obika but did not offer enough of an attacking threat.
Manager Jim Goodwin had named an unchanged team following the victory over Aberdeen a fortnight earlier.
Rangers, in contrast, made five changes from the midweek draw in Warsaw. Filip Helander came in for his league debut along with Barisic, Glen Kamara, Jordan Jones and Jermain Defoe. Out went Nikola Katic, Jon Flanagan, Steven Davis, Sheyi Ojo and Alfredo Morelos.
Defoe had a great chance to put the visitors in front after just three minutes. Scott Arfield played in the Englishman but he slid his shot wide of goal.
St Mirren had to survive some early Rangers pressure but, in a rare foray forward, Tony Andreu blazed a shot well over the bar.
The home side almost went in front in bizarre circumstances. In shades of Daniel Candeias’ goal for Rangers at this ground last season, Obika miscued his cross and saw it loop over goalkeeper Allan McGregor and strike the far post.
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