European triumph means Rangers welcome Ross County today on a huge high. The Champions League is back for the first time in 12 years and Rangers can’t wait to get started. Ajax, Liverpool and Napoli lie in wait for another time as we focus on another vital league match this afternoon.
The truth is, despite up and down performances, we were a minute away from the perfect season start, stopped only by a calamitous Collum on a mission to get the outcome he desired. Then there has been the Alfredo Morelos saga which I have no desire to cover any further.
Let’s concentrate on the positives and they are that Rangers should be in a fine frame of mind to tackle County this afternoon. If it’s anything like the encounters last season, goals are guaranteed and for this one Rangers line up as follows:
Rangers – McLaughlin, Tavernier, Goldson, Sands, Barisic, Tillman, Lundstram, Lawrence, Kent, Wright, Čolak
Substitutions – McGregor, Ridvan, Jack, Davis, Matondo, Fashion, Arfield, King, Devine
Good luck to the team! 🔴⚪️🔵
First half action
2 mins – Kent cuts in and curls just over
9 mins – CHANCE! Goldson 1-2 and finds himself with a clear chance which Laidlaw blocks.
10 mins – CAUTION SANDS 📒
13 mins – Close play from Wright and Čolak creates chance for Lawrence to hit a deflected effort just wide.
15 mins – CAUTION LOTURI 📒
16 mins – RED?! Sands almost caught as stretches to toe poke the ball back to McLaughlin, on a caution he has to be careful because that looked extremely clumsy. He is so lucky to get away with that, on replay he’s taken him down and should be off.
20 mins – Kent’s cross almost drops to Čolak but cleared and Borna chance wide.
21 mins – CHANCE! Kent’s cut back finds Tillman and his shot is saved by feet of Laidlaw.
22 mins – CHANCE! Tillman again but Laidlaw dives to keep it out!
24 mins – GOOOAALLLL! Lunny! John Lundstram bends one in from the edge of the box and it’s been coming! 1-0 Rangers!
33 mins – CHANCE! Kent bends over another chance, he’s been promising. 1-0.
39 mins – GOOOOAAAALLLL! Brilliant from Scott Wright who goes past his man then cuts straight to Čolak who volleys superbly home! 2-0!
44 mins – BAR! Sweeping cross from Kent and Tav heads off the bar at the back post. 2-0!
HT – RANGERS 2 ROSS COUNTY 0
Second half action
HT substitution – James Sands OFF, Leon King ON
53 mins – Barisic drilled cross is flicked wide by Čolak.
54 mins – PENALTY!? Wright cross hits hand of County defender, penalty shout but nothing doing. Looks correct, hand is going to block fall as he goes down, definite shout for Rangers.
58 mins – GOOOAAALLLL! Lovely build up by Kent and Lawrence, through to Čolak who spins and finishes beautifully! 3-0!
SUBSTITUTIONS – Tillman and Kent off, Arfield and Matondo on.
67 mins – Great play by Wright and his cut back is shot at goal by Lawrence with a wicked deflection and Laidlaw keeps it out well.
CAUTION 📒 Lundstram from that attack he needlessly pulls back forward, no danger and should just let him go. 3-0.
71 mins – CHANCE! Čolak in and his shot blocked by Laidlaw and then the rebound by Tavernier forces a good save again. The attack continues and Lawrence chests an effort just wide.
SUBSTITUTION – OFF Antonio Čolak ON Steven Davis
76 mins – Goldson drives a long range shot just over. He’s been pushing up a lot today!
80 mins – GOOOAAALLL! Lovely build up by Wright and he releases it to Steven Davis who slides home a fourth! 4-0!
89 mins – CHANCE! Great pass by King and Arfield is in, but he ops to lob one early and doesn’t catch it.
FULL TIME – RANGERS 4 ROSS COUNTY 0
String Rangers performance after an early scare which should have resulted in a James Sands red card. The defender failed to deal with a lobbed pass and got wrong side before clumsily pulling down his man, he was extremely lucky.
From there Rangers were simply too strong, chance after chance with four lovely goals. Threats all over the pitch and easily should have been more.
A strong performance and probably the strongest so far. Take the handbrake off and this is what this team can do.
Giovanni Van Bronckhorst post match press conference –
Why not kick off the new season by playing Rangers Pools?
Rangers Pools have Match Ticket giveaways for every League match at Ibrox this season and you could win a pair!
Play today, support your club and be in to win Match Tickets alongside cash prizes every week!
https://www.rangerspools.com/win-match-tickets
Four Lads Had A Dream 