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Match preview: Ross County travel to Rangers hopeful they can end the Premiership leaders' unbeaten run


By Andrew Henderson

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The prospect of visiting Ibrox is an imperious one for any side right now, such has been Rangers' dominance in the Premiership this season.

Ross County, though, have shown no fear this week as they prepare to take on a team who are 21 points clear at the top of the table.

Last week's 4–1 victory against Aberdeen has shown that this Staggies squad are capable of competing with anyone in the division on their day, but consistency has been their main issue this season.

Although it may not be the long term answer to their problems, manager John Hughes' priority may therefore be maintaining those same standards, even if County leave Glasgow empty-handed.

Team News

Ross County: Ross Stewart will make his long-awaited return this afternoon after not being risked last weekend, with Hughes confirming the striker will play some part at Ibrox.

Carl Tremarco continues to work his own way back to fitness, but Stephen Kelly is ineligible to face his parent club.

He will instead join Tom Grivosti in having a watching brief, with the defender a long-term absentee.

Loanee Stephen Kelly cannot face his parent club at Ibrox this afternoon. Pictures: Ken Macpherson
Loanee Stephen Kelly cannot face his parent club at Ibrox this afternoon. Pictures: Ken Macpherson

Rangers: Steven Gerrard received a boost this week with the returns of Kemar Roofe and Ryan Jack to full training, and both men could be in contention to play this afternoon.

Scott Arfield remains sidelines with an ankle injury though

Recent form

Ross County: won 4–1 at home against Aberdeen, lost 3–1 away at Livingston, drew 1–1 at home against St Johnstone, won 2–0 away at Hibernian, lost 2–0 at home against St Mirren.

Rangers: drew 1–1 away at Motherwell, won 2–1 away at Aberdeen, won 1–0 at home against Celtic, won 2–0 away at St Mirren, won 1–0 at home against Hibernian.

Head-to-head (all competitions)

Ross County 0

Draws 3

Rangers 11

Last five meetings

Ross County 0–4 Rangers – Premiership, Sunday, December 6, 2020

Rangers 2–0 Ross County – Premiership, Sunday, October 4, 2020

Ross County 0–1 Rangers – Premiership, Sunday, March 8, 2020

Rangers 2–0 Ross County – Premiership, Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Ross County 0–4 Rangers – Premiership, Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Ones to watch

Ross County: Oli Shaw – it has been a year since the striker moved to Dingwall from Hibernian, and in some ways the Staggies are still waiting for the 22-year-old to kick on to the next level.

He had an impressive run of goals through October and November, but injury threatened to derail the progress he made.

Two goals in last Saturday's win against Aberdeen will give everyone, Shaw included, plenty of confidence that this is the start of big things for the forward – and there is no bigger stage this season to catch the eye on that at Ibrox.

Oli Shaw's two goals last time out should mean his confidence level is sky high.
Oli Shaw's two goals last time out should mean his confidence level is sky high.

Rangers: Cedric Itten – the summer arrival in Glasgow has mostly been used as a substitute this season, with all but two of his Premiership run outs coming from the bench.

He showed he can be an important player for the Gers though when he scored the equalsier against Motherwell last time out.

With Kemar Roofe coming back from injury and Alfredo Morelos only a couple of goals ahead of him in the scoring chart, the Swiss striker may be running out of chances to force his way into Steven Gerrard's first choice team, so he will want to find the net again at the first possible opportunity.

Ross County manager John Hughes' pre-match thoughts

“It’s a challenge and I relish challenges. We are under no illusions as to have difficult it’s going to be.

“Rangers are out of sight at this moment and they play the football I love to see. Nothing much changes in terms of their shape. They don’t concede goals – someone said only one at Ibrox this year – they score goals and they have real top class players. So we know what we’re up against.

“But all that has to inspire you - it has to. We should be getting excited. When you walk on that kind of stage you have got the freedom to go and express yourself. We will have to be solid and have a good shape but we also have to have a good go at them and that’s what we intend to do.

“I can’t speak highly enough of the job Steven Gerrard has done, even last year I loved the style of football they played - proper football. He has assembled a team that can look after the ball.

"I’m hoping my boys have a go and that Rangers know they’ve been in a game. I’ll use everything at my disposal to try and get the guys ready to go. Going out there, yes we will respect them, but they are only human, so let’s have a right go.”


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