Deflected free kick leaves Ross County devastated at Rangers in Glasgow
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Scottish Premiership
Rangers 2
Ross County 1
Scorers - Rangers: Tillman (45) Barisic (74) County: White (68)
Ross County failed to return home with a point from Ibrox as they lost for the first time in four matches in the Premiership.
Malik Tillman gave Rangers the lead on the stroke of half time, but Jordan White levelled for Ross County midway through the second half.
However, a wicked deflection from a Borna Barisic free kick gave Rangers a narrow victory.
But Ross County remain outside the relegation zone in 10th place on 21 points, one point ahead of Motherwell in 11th and Dundee United in 12th both on 20.
Ross County made two changes as Nohan Kenneh and Victor Loturi came in for Ross Callachan and Jordan Tillson.
The first real chance of the match fell to Rangers after 13 minutes, Malik Tillman charged into the box, but his effort was blocked and cleared by the Ross County defence.
But the ball fell at the edge of the box to Todd Cantwell who fired an effort inches over the bar.
Ross County were holding their own and were also threatening in the other end.
Midway through the first quarter, Yan Dhanda's cross into the box found the head of Alex Iacovitti. But his header flew straight into the hands of Jon McLaughlin.
However, the Staggies were fortunate not to go behind soon after. The defence failed to challenge Borna Barisic's cross which allowed Alfredo Morelos a free header. But it went wide of the left post.
But Ross County did go behind at the break as Tillman nodded home a cross from Todd Cartwell from six yards out to give Rangers the lead.
Rangers continued to press for the second goal after the break with Fashion Sakala inches away from connecting from Ryan Kent's cross from the right wing which would have been a golden chance.
Ross County responded and came close to equalising with Nohan Kenneh forced a terrific save from Mclaughlin after unleashing a thunderous effort.
But they did level when White beat the Rangers defence in the air to nod home Yan Dhanda's cross from the right wing.
Rangers regained the lead six minutes later, when after winning a free kick at the edge of the box, Barisic's shot took a wicked deflection off the defensive wall, leaving Laidlaw flatfooted as he helplessly saw the ball go into the net.
Rangers: Mclaughlin, Tavernier, Lundstam, (Tillman 11) Goldson, Jack, Cantwell(Raskin 83), Kent (Wright 83), Morelos (Colak (83), Davies, Sakala (Kamara 62), Barisic.
Substitutes: McGregor, Hagi, Sands, Lowry, Tillman.
Ross County: Laidlaw, Randall, Baldwqin, Iacovitti (Cancola 75), Dhanda (Callachan 68) , Loturi, Watson, Harmon, White, Brophy (Murray 45), Kenneh (Sims 83).
Substitutes: Munro, Tillson, Samuel, Smith, Stones.
Referee: Euan Anderson
Attendance 49155.
