Ross County fall to the Premiership leaders as Rangers extend dominant run
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Ross County 0
Rangers 4 (Roofe, Tavernier, Morris OG, Defoe)
Ross County had decent spells against Rangers in Dingwall, but the timing of the visitors' goals were killer blows to the Staggies.
More than once it looked like County were in the ascendancy, but they could not make any dent on the scoreboard before goals from Kemar Roofe, James Tavernier and a Callum Morris own goal to put the game to bed.
It was a cagey opening spell, with Rangers dominating possession and territory in the early going without getting sight of goal.
At one stage it looked like it could be a long afternoon chasing the ball for the Staggies, but they did grow into the match and start to string a couple of passes together.
Playing 5–4–1, it was always going to be tough for them going forward, but their out ball to release pressure down the flanks for Ross Stewart to chase seemed to work on several occasions.
More often than not it was just Harry Paton or Michael Gardyne supporting him, but the Staggies did have the best chance of the first half thanks to the Canadian midfielder.
Skipper Iain Vigurs' long ball forward found Paton's run, and a beautiful touch to take it down allowed him to bear down on goal.
He cut inside on to his left foot and connecting well with the ball, but Allan McGregor was equal to it, clawing it away from danger.
That would prove to be a crucial moment though, as just a couple of minutes later the visitors were ahead.
Steven Davis was allowed space on the ball, and his threaded pass found the run of the ever-dangerous James Tavernier, who crossed low into the middle.
Kemar Roofe, hitting the headlines recently for his strikes from distance, showed that he has the natural instinct of a goalscorer to drift between Callum Morris and Coll Donaldson and slide in to divert the ball past Ross Laidlaw.
Roofe came close to following that up with an immediate second, just missing the top corner with a first-time hit from the edge of the box.
There was a flash point just before the break, when Iain Vigurs got booked for taking down Alfredo Morelos, but Michael Gardyne was also shown a yellow card for verbal abuse.
The half time break should have given County a chance to regroup after going behind, but the Gers instead doubles their advantage.
There was more than a hint of good fortune about it though, as Ryan Kent's low cross found Roofe, who saw his shot deflect first off Josh Reid and then off Tavernier and into the net.
County did eventually start to find some rhythm again though, and buoyed on by their fans at the Global Energy Stadium very nearly pulled one back.
Josh Reid sent an early cross towards Stewart, who flicked it on to the back post.
Connor Randall, who was introduced at half time, was there, but could only put the ball over the bar from close range.
If that served as a warning shot to Rangers that it was not game over, they quickly moved to make sure of the points.
Tavernier again was instrumental, finding acres of space on the right flank to pick out a white shirt in the middle, only for Callum Morris to slide in and turn the ball into his own net.
Both sides came close to adding to the scoreline in the last 15 minutes, although in the Staggies' case it was accidental.
Gardyne tried to cross the ball from the right touchline, but he had McGregor scrambling and the ball bounced back off the crossbar to safety.
Ianis Hagi then had Laidlaw in a similar position, shooting from a wide free kick and forcing the County stopper to tip over the bar.
There would be one more goal for Rangers to celebrate though, with Jermain Defoe marking his 800th professional appearance with a goal after good work from Cedric Itten on the left flank.
