Match preview: Ross County out to repeat Betfred Cup heroics and inflict first Premiership defeat on Rangers
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It is another tough task for Ross County this weekend, but after knocking Celtic out of the Betfred Cup optimism is high in Dingwall that another shock could be on the cards when Premiership leaders Rangers visit the Global Energy Stadium.
The Ibrox outfit have been dominant domestically this season, still unbeaten in the league and only conceding three goals from their 15 matches.
County ran them close in Glasgow earlier in the season though, only losing out to a James Tavernier penalty and an 88th minute strike by Brandon Barker, so after a brilliant performance at Parkhead last time out there is no lack of belief that the Staggies can take something from the game.
Team News
Ross County: Ross Doohan is available again after being forced to sit out last week's trip to his parent club, but his place in the stands will be taken by fellow loanee Stephen Kelly this afternoon.
Charlie Lakin (thigh) and Josh Reid (ankle) are both fresh injury worries coming out of the win at Celtic, adding to what was already an extensive absentee list.
Carl Tremarco, Tom Grivosti, Regan Charles-Cook, Ross Draper and Oli Shaw were all missing from Kettlewell's 19-man squad last time out, while Michael Gardyne was an unused substitute and Connor Randall only came on for the last 15 minutes on their returns.
Rangers: Filip Helander is unavailable for the Gers after testing positive for Covid-19 and Nikola Katic is still out with a knee issue, while Ryan Jack may not be risked by Steven Gerrard after missing the previous three matches.
That means Scott Arfield is likely to keep his spot in the middle of the park after scoring the winner against Standard Liege in the Europa League on Thursday night.
Jermain Defoe should also return to the squad after missing Thursday's win, as he is not registered for continental competition.
Recent form
Ross County: won 2–0 away at Celtic, lost 3–1 away at Kilmarnock, won 3–0 at home against Stirling Albion, won 4–1 away at Elgin City, drew 1–1 at home against Livingston.
Rangers: won 3–2 at home against Standard Liege, won 4–0 away at Falkirk, drew 2–2 at home against Benfica, won 4–0 at home against Aberdeen, won 8–0 at home against Hamilton.
Head-to-head (all competitions)
Ross County 0
Draws 3
Rangers 10
Last five meetings
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
Ross County 1–2 Rangers – Premiership, Sunday, January 28, 2018
Ones to watch
Ross County: Iain Vigurs – the Staggies captain has come in for his fair share of criticism this season, even losing his spot in the side for a few weeks.
His return to the starting 11 was in part due to a tepid performance away at Kilmarnock, and in part due to injuries, and with Stephen Kelly ineligible to face his parent club Vigurs is likely to feature again.
So Vigurs will feel he has a point to prove, and as the older head in an extremely youthful team the responsibility to lead by example falls squarely on the 32-year-old's shoulders.
Rangers: Connor Goldson – the 27-year-old centre back has impressed at both ends of the park for Rangers this season.
His five goals – notably including a double in a 2–0 win over Celtic – have helped put the cherry on top of the cake on several occasions in recent months.
However, Rangers' defensive record in the Premiership is immaculate, and as an ever-present in the backline Goldson has certainly played his part in keeping opposition out – and he will be looking to repeat those successes in Dingwall this afternoon.
Ross County manager Stuart Kettlewell's pre-match thoughts
"The preparation is a wee bit different compared to the Celtic game, in that they play two totally different styles. They play with different shapes and line-ups, obviously different personnel, and Rangers have their tails up at the minute.
"They will be feeling great about themselves and the work that they are doing.
"When you break it down there's probably not a lot between Rangers and Celtic when they're both on top form, but they have a slightly different style.
"It's important that we get that information across to our players, and ensure that we can try and affect the game in a similar fashion to last weekend.
"There will be some tweaks in what we need to think about, and the areas that we feel they will be a threat that we need to think about.
"Playing against these teams as one of the smaller clubs, you don't get many opportunities to break records and create amazing moments, so each time one of them comes forward it's important that you are braced for it and ready to try and do something."
