Today two sides at different ends of the SPFL table go face to face in a very important game. Ross County hosts Rangers at the Ross County Stadium.
Ross County sit in 10th position – only two points from the bottom of the table. They have struggled to pick up points this season only getting three wins in 15 games. They are the only side to not get a win in their last five games with their last league game ending in a 3-1 loss to Kilmarnock. A historic win last week in the Scottish cup however after they beat Celtic 2-0 at Celtic Park – they certainly have it in them to beat the big teams. A win here today could see them climb further away from the bottom two.
Rangers are on outstanding form. Unbeaten in the league this season scoring 41 and only conceding three. A 4-0 win in their last league fixture against away to Aberdeen was a big result for them as they continue to climb further and further away from the rest of the teams in the division. They had a toughly fought contest in mid-week Europa League action with a tight 3-2 victory against Standard Liege though. 11 points clear at the top could grow to 14 points clear with a win today.
Starting Lineups
Before kick off the teams take place in a minute silence for Diego Maradona who died aged 60 last week.
Embed from Getty ImagesRangers get the game underway
2″ Opening two minutes dominated by Rangers with Ross County not able to get out of their own half. You can probably expect Rangers to dominate the majority of this one.
5″ Closest chance of the game so far as James Tavernier whips in a corner. Looked dangerous but punched away fairly simply. Rangers are sure to get plenty more chances in this one however scoring 41 goals since the start of the season.
Tavernier has 15 goals and 10 assists in all competitions so far this season. Including 9 goals and 6 assists in the league. The right back has been on outstanding form and you can almost guarantee he is involved in the majority of Rangers’ chances today.
10″ Some good passing from Ross County as they go up the field. The final pass all that is stopping them from getting shots away. This is the third time they have got up the pitch today. Might cause Rangers some troubles here
12″ Rangers are struggling to break down the Ross County backline who are staying strong defensively. Ross County have conceded the second most goals in the league (26) only ahead of bottom place Hamilton (36). It will be surprising if this inform Rangers side can’t break down their backline.
18″ Neither goalkeeper being tested as of yet. No shots on goal for either side and no real threat being caused to either goal. It will be interesting to see who will take the upper hand in this one
Embed from Getty Images22″ Rangers freekick after Ryan Kent is fouled. The ball comes in but the Ross County defence didn’t allow a shot to come in. They get it cleared away fairly simply.
23″ Rangers haven’t conceded against Ross County in the last four meetings between the sides.
24″ Rangers looking for 1v1 opportunities. Calvin Bassey gets one on the left hand side and gets a dangerous cross in. It was claimed well by Ross Laidlaw.
25″ First big chance of the game goes to Ross County. Iain Vigurs picks out Harry Paton with a fantastic long range pass. Paton controlled it well and got a nice shot away which was saved well by Allan McGregor in goal.
28″ GOAL! Ross County 0 -1 Rangers. Rangers finally get past the Ross County backline and it results in a goal. A lovely pass by Steven Davis finds Tavernier who sprays the ball into the box. Kemar Roofe was there to slide it past Laidlaw. Rangers first real chance of the game and it ends in a goal.
That goal is Roofe’s 6th goal in the league this season and his 8th for Rangers in all competitions. He has looked bright since signing for them this summer from Anderlecht.
Embed from Getty Images30″ Rangers looking more confident now. Alfredo Morelos was looking for Kent but the pass cut out. It lands at the feet of Roofe who’s shot goes just over.
36″ Ross County defending fairly well here. May have been a bit unlucky to concede. They are staying strong at the back however getting the ball away quickly. They just need something coming forward now. Rangers continue to dominate the ball.
38″ All of Rangers’ attacks coming from the wings with the full backs – Tavernier and Bassey – coming forward a lot. This similar to most of the games this season. It is proven to work with the amount of goals they do score. I’m sure it will continue throughout the rest of the game
41″ Davis picking out some great passes through the Ross County defence. Onto the run of Tavernier in most instances. A chance created here as Tavernier gets on the end of one of those passes. Nobody can get into the box and on the end of it.
Keith Watson and Josh Reid staying fairly strong defensively. They are facing plenty of attacks on their sides. They may be disappointed in the goal they conceded.
44″ Counter attack from Rangers. Once again a cross comes in. This time from Kent. Defended well again by Ross County. Rangers looking for another before half time.
Embed from Getty Images45″ Yellow Card for Iain Vigurs. His eighth of the season so far. Kent seemed annoyed as he ran in behind. The freekick taken.
45″ Some questioning to the referee possibly about some language used. Rangers players and Steven Gerrard don’t seem happy.
HALF TIME! – Ross County 0 – 1 Rangers
A tightly fought first half here with Rangers leading at half time. Ross County creating a few chances on the counter attack but haven’t got anything out of it. Roofe scored the first and only goal of the game so far. Improvements probably needed for both sides as Ross County look to get back into the game and Rangers look to extend their lead
Ross County kick off the second half
48″ Rangers coming forward well. Tavernier whips in a cross which is defended well and put out for a corner,
50″ Rangers with another huge chance to go ahead. Kent does well and whips a great cross in for Roofe. His header palmed away by Laidlaw. Morelos can’t get a shot away as he is closed down. Could easily be two for Rangers.
53″ Connor Goldson picking out some great long range passes. This one must have been his forth of the game. All going towards Tavernier. Brilliant play
56″ GOAL! Ross County 0 – 2 Rangers. Brilliant play from Rangers to get into the box. The ball falls at the feet of Kent who sprays it across the box. Roofe shot is blocked and Tavernier finishes it.
Embed from Getty ImagesThat goal Tavernier’s 10th goal in the league this season. He has been absolutely outstanding for the whole of the season and with so many more games to play I can’t see him slowing down.
60″ Yellow card for Paton. He slides in dangerously on Kent. Paton was beaten by the pace of Kent. He certainly felt that one.
67″ Huge chance for Ross County to get back in it. Reid whips a great ball in and it lands at the feet of Connor Randall who should put it in the back of the net.
69″ Alfredo Morelos wins the ball back and finds Kent. His ball comes in from the left hand side and Tavernier hits it on the volley. Just wide.
72″ GOAL! Ross County 0 – 3 Rangers. Goldson finds Tavernier well again with a long range ball. Tavernier sprays it into the box and Callum Morris puts it into his own net. He probably had time to deal with it but ends in an own goal.
Embed from Getty ImagesJermain Defoe on for his 800th career appearance.
76″ Hopeful cross in from Michael Gardyne comes all the way through and hits the far post. A troubling cross for Rangers but they get away with it without conceding. Definetly not a shot on goal but a big chance to get a goal back for Ross County.
77″ Alex Iacovitti sees yellow after a foul on Cedric Itten.
80″ Ianis Hagi takes a freekick after Itten was fouled. Probably could have been crossed in but he went for a shot and troubled Laidlaw in goal.
85″ The game slowing down a bit now. Rangers comfortable and certainly deserving the three points after a tough game away here.
90″ GOAL! Ross County 0 – 4 Rangers. Itten does so well to win the ball and beat Donaldson. He puts the ball in to the feet of Defoe who turns and finishes the ball. His 800th career appearance marked with a goal.
Embed from Getty ImagesFULL TIME! – Ross County 0 – 4 Rangers
Yet another great performance for Rangers. It was a tight game though and Ross County put up a great fight and created a fair few chances. They were strong defensively and maybe unlucky to concede the four goals that they did. Rangers though once again overwhelmingly dominant and continue their great record in the league this season. They remain unbeaten.
Ross County remain in 10th position and need to start picking up points in games if they are going to climb the table and get away from the bottom two. Next up for them is Aberdeen away – another tough fixture.
Rangers now 14 points clear at the top and are looking in great stride to getting their first league title following administration in 2012. Their 55th league title as a whole. Next game for them is Lech Poznan in the Europa League and then a trip away to Dundee United in the league.
