Rangers moved degree on factors with Celtic however failed to complete sufficient of their numerous pictures on course to maneuver prime of the Scottish Premiership.
Philippe Clement’s aspect needed to beat County by at the least three objectives 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 assert 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 aspect at bay till John Souttar nodded residence a 3rd in harm time.
Victory retains the stress on champions Celtic, whereas Ross County are eleventh.
Wasteful Rangers stay second
One other big crowd rolled as much as Ibrox understanding a three-goal win towards a membership who had by no means crushed Rangers in 23 makes an attempt would see the lead on the prime change fingers.
A way of expectancy hung heavy within the air.
Dessers struck early, taking a go from captain James Tavernier and keeping off the eye of defender Ryan Leak earlier than lobbing the ball over stranded Staggies ‘keeper Wickens and the Mild Blues have been up and working.
Wickens quickly needed to tip a robust shot from Tavernier previous the submit for a nook, which the startled Dingwall aspect survived.
Within the tenth minute, Dessers latched on to a raking go from left-back Rıdvan Yilmaz and beat Wickens solely to see the ball rebound off the submit.
Then Rabbi Matondo raced onto a defence-splitting go from midfielder Lundstram and curled the ball previous the far submit 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 varied high quality earlier than Murray shocked 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 an honest drive parried clear by the over-worked Wickens, who quickly tipped a long-range effort from Cantwell previous the submit.
The stress on the County aim 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 aim, 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 possibility to strike a psychological blow was gone.
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.