Rangers team news –
RANGERS: McLaughlin, Tavernier, Goldson, Davies, Barisic, Jack, Lundstram, Cantwell, Fashion Jr., Kent, Morelos
SUBS: McGregor, Hagi, Colak, Kamara, Sands, Wright, Lowry, Raskin, Tillman
3 changes –
OUT McGregor, Kamara, Tillman
IN McLaughlin, Jack, Cantwell
First half action
2 mins – Slack from Rangers and County attack, but it’s blocked and cleared.
6 mins – Barisic shot over after good work by Alfredo Morelos.
8 mins – 📒 Caution Lacovitti for a pull.
10 mins – Substitution OFF Lundstram 🤕 ON Tillman
14 mins – BAR! Cantwell bending effort skims and clips the bar after a great Jack pass released Tillman.
20 mins – CHANCE! Tavernier is in but shoots too high after a superb Tillman pass splits the defence.
22 mins – 📒 Caution Ben Davies for a slide tackle. Subsequent free kick is headed into McLaughlins hands.
25 mins – WIDE! Barisic cross is headed wide by Alfredo, looked closer than it perhaps was from here.
27 mins – Long shot by Tavernier is easily saved, Rangers pressing.
35 mins – Morelos shot is scooped out by the keeper. An easy save. Rangers are being made to work for this.
44 mins – Barisic cross headed just wide by Tillman.
45 + mins – GOOOAAAALLLL! He’s Malik you know! 1-0 Rangers and it was coming! Superb by Morelos and Cantwell who sits it up for Tillman to bullet a header home! 1-0!
45 + mins – OVER! Kent stands it up and Alfredo heads over, that was a chance. 1-0
Half time – Rangers 1 Ross County 0
Second half action
52 mins – Barisic fires over Rangers first real opening, it’s a bit wild in truth.
58 mins – Caution Sakala 📒 A lazy tackle.
62 mins – Substitution OFF Sakala ON Kamara
63 mins – SAVE! McLaughlin forced to tip over a really decent effort from the edge of the area.
66 mins – GOAL! Ross County equalise, cross in, keeper comes but is miles away and White heads in. 1-1
74 mins – BAR! Kent strike rattled the underside of the bar! So close! 1-1
75 mins – GOOOOAAAAALLLL! Barisic free kick take a wicked deflection and it loops in the other side to put us back infront! 2-1
78 mins – SAVE! Morelos chance but straight at GK, it was a low drilled shot. 2-1
81 mins – Caution Morelos 📒
82 mjns – CHANCE! County are through on right but Randall blazes over, Borna caught deep. 2-1
82 mins – Substitution – OFF Morelos, Cantwell, Kent ON Raskin, Wright, Colak
87 mins – Caution Tavernier 📒
90+ mins – Caution Watson 📒
Attendance 49115
Full time – Rangers 2 Ross County 1
Summary –
A very tough first half but Rangers broke the deadlock right on half time with lovely play from Cantwell and Morelos, Cantwell broke forward and teed Tillman up superbly to bullet a header home.
That was coming and Morelos missed a header to double the lead but Rangers happy to be in the lead at half time.
Second half Rangers just didn’t start, lost a sloppy equaliser and had to settle down to regain the lead. Just a minute after Kent rattled the cross bar Rangers won a free kick after good work from Goldson. Barisic took it and it looped in the opposite corner with a wicked deflection.
A very open game but not our best performance, it was very ragged game and Rangers won’t be happy with their overall display but three points and another win for Michael Beale.
Hard not to be excited by Nico Raskin cameo, he looks urgent and progressive on the ball. Showed lots of eager moments and he’s going to be exciting. But a word also for Todd Cantwell who was lively and very good throughout his 80 or so minutes. Made the opener expertly and it was another promising display.
The new boys shine even if Rangers weren’t at their brightest.
Full time Rangers run out 2-1 winners.
Four Lads Had A Dream 