Rangers were pushed all the way against Ross County at Ibrox, beating the Staggies by a slender 2-0 margin.
James Tavernier put Rangers ahead after 17 minutes from the penalty spot but County frustrated them throughout the first half. The Highland side had chances to level but passed them up as the home team scraped over the finishing line, made slightly easier by Brandon Barker’s late finish.
Ross County were heading into this one well aware of what top teams in the SPFL can do when on song. Stuart Kettlewell has watched his side lose 5-0 and 3-0 to Celtic and Aberdeen in recent weeks and he’d have been desperate for similar not to happen in Glasgow.
Their opening 15 minutes were promising, playing on the front foot and getting crosses into the Rangers box. But a penalty decision went against them 17 minutes in, Alfredo Morelos deemed to have been fouled in the box by Coll Donaldson.
Tavernier stepped up to score his eighth goal in as many games and put Rangers ahead, harsh on the Staggies after a decent start. After going a goal down early in the game, it was always going to be difficult to get something out of this for Kettlewell.
But that setback didn’t put them off. Rangers were dragged into a stuffy game by County, few chances being created as County managed to get in the Gers’ faces in order to keep the game alive.
A Ryan Kent effort aside, Steven Gerrard’s side didn’t do much in attack as they went in at half time only a goal up, Ross County still well in this match. Rangers weren’t moving the ball very quickly and this suited the away team’s rigid style.
Again in the second half Kettlewell’s team frustrated their hosts, albeit they weren’t getting a sniff of the ball. Rangers were still getting chances though, Morelos coming close before the hour mark.
County were coming close too, Ross Draper pouncing on a mistake from Jack Ross, Ross Stewart just missing a strong enough touch to put it past Jon McLaughlin. Donaldson should have scored 10 minutes from time, heading a point-blank header over the bar.
It would come back to haunt them and despite their best efforts, County went down 2-0. Ianis Hagi played an intelligent ball over the top for Barker, who danced his way through the defence before slotting home. A good display from County doesn’t bring home any rewards and here are three things we learned.
Even contest
Whilst the Gers did dominate possession as would be expected at Ibrox, County will perhaps be disappointed not to take a point from this. They even threw caution to the wind in the closing stages to get something from this.
Rangers didn’t hit the heights they have in recent weeks and looked vulnerable in stages to the counter. The Highland side did well on their long journey to Glasgow, but perhaps will feel frustrated they come away empty-handed.
Staggies learn from the past
Against Celtic and Rangers in recent times, Ross County have struggled, conceding 20 goals in the last seven matches. At Ibrox on this occasion, they seemed to have found a workable formula.
County looked dangerous on the counter and strong in defence, just coming up short in order to take a reward. When coming up against either side from Glasgow in the future, this is how Kettlewell should approach them.
Until next time
These sides will meet up again on December 5. 10 games await Ross County before then, only two of which come against sides currently in the top six, both home matches against Hibs and Livingston.
County have enjoyed a decent opening to the season and would fancy themselves to get some results throughout this run.