Rangers moved degree on factors with Celtic however failed to complete sufficient of their numerous photographs heading in the right direction to maneuver prime of the Scottish Premiership.
Philippe Clement’s facet needed to beat County by at the very least three targets to maneuver above Celtic for the primary time this season and Cyriel Dessers’ early strike gave them hope.
Simon Murray caught out the Rangers’ defence to say a shock equaliser earlier than Dessers’ deflected header noticed the hosts forward on the break.
Rangers have been wasteful, whereas County goalkeeper George Wickens produced a string of saves to maintain Clement’s facet at bay till John Souttar nodded dwelling a 3rd in harm time.
Victory retains the stress on champions Celtic, whereas Ross County are eleventh.
Wasteful Rangers stay second
One other enormous crowd rolled as much as Ibrox realizing a three-goal win towards a membership who had by no means overwhelmed Rangers in 23 makes an attempt would see the lead on the prime change palms.
A way of expectancy hung heavy within the air.
Dessers struck early, taking a move from captain James Tavernier and heading off the eye of defender Ryan Leak earlier than lobbing the ball over stranded Staggies ‘keeper Wickens and the Gentle Blues have been up and working.
Wickens quickly needed to tip a robust shot from Tavernier previous the put up for a nook, which the startled Dingwall facet survived.
Within the tenth minute, Dessers latched on to a raking move from left-back Rıdvan Yilmaz and beat Wickens solely to see the ball rebound off the put up.
Then Rabbi Matondo raced onto a defence-splitting move from midfielder Lundstram and curled the ball previous the far put up earlier than Wickens tipped a shot from the extensive man onto the bar and over.
Tom Lawrence, Souttar, Tavernier and Dessers had additional efforts of assorted high quality earlier than Murray surprised the house followers into silence with a assured volley from six yards from a scrumptious Eamonn Brophy cross.
The temper contained in the stadium darkened.
The Gers crowd regarded on in astonishment as Leak stopped Dessers’ close-range shot after Wickens had spilled a Todd Cantwell drive however the enigmatic striker made up for it by heading in a Tavernier cross seconds earlier than the break which modified the ambiance once more.
January signing Oscar Cortes, the 20-year-old Colombian signed on mortgage from Lens, changed Matondo at half-time and within the 52nd minute had a good drive parried clear by the over-worked Wickens, who quickly tipped a long-range effort from Cantwell previous the put up.
The stress on the County objective was relentless however simply after the hour-mark, the Gers followers have been relieved to see Michee Efete head a County nook over the bar when he ought to have labored ‘keeper Jack Butland.
Wickens made additional saves from Lundstram, Lawrence and Dessers earlier than the latter was changed by Portuguese striker Fabio Silva.
Within the 74th minute Cortes missed the goal from 12 yards and, amid a myriad of makes an attempt on the County objective, Wickens denied Cantwell and Cortes once more.
Within the second of seven added minutes, Souttar headed in a Tavernier cross however there was to be no later drama and the prospect to strike a psychological blow was gone.
Clement impressed with Rangers’ enchancment
Rangers supervisor Philippe Clement:
“A really good victory and we see the team becoming better week after week, but every game can’t be better than the last as that’s impossible.
“We had a file right now of photographs heading in the right direction, 23, and it was wave after wave, you may solely do this when you do a extremely intensive job in attacking but in addition in defending.
“We gave one chance away and it was a goal, that’s a little bit unlucky but it was a really good game for Rangers.
“I feel everybody who was within the stadium and who have been there 4 months in the past see a extremely large distinction in the best way the group is enjoying and creating probabilities. We have to proceed that.
“Sometimes it’s like a bottle of ketchup, you push and push and in one moment everything comes out and in others not.
“The gamers have been exhibiting high quality for months, that does not change with the place we’re within the desk now.
“There is no reason to change the mentality, it’s about game by game.”
Cowie ‘proud’ of County towards ‘glorious’ Rangers
Ross County interim supervisor Don Cowie:
“It was a difficult night, but the boys put a lot of effort in and stood up to it and I’m proud of them.
“It is all the time tough for a group like Ross County whenever you come to a spot like this, however when a group actually fancies it you have to arise and be collectively and the boys did that.
“Of course, we can do things better and we’ll dissect that and look at it, but I don’t want to take anything away from Rangers as I thought they were outstanding.”
What’s subsequent?
Rangers’ subsequent Scottish Premiership match is away to St Johnstone on Sunday, stay on Sky Sports activities. Kick-off noon.
Ross County are away to Dundee on Saturday. Kick-off 3pm.