Preview: Rangers vs. Ross County - prediction, team news, lineups

The Gers have picked up 10 points from their opening four league fixtures this term, while the Staggies secured their first victory of the new season last weekend.

Match preview

For the first time in 12 years, Rangers will be competing in the Champions League after securing a 3-2 aggregate victory over PSV Eindhoven in the playoff round.

After playing out a 2-2 draw in the first leg at Ibrox, the Gers claimed a narrow 1-0 victory in the Netherlands on Wednesday night, with Antonio Colak scoring the only goal of the game on the hour mark.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst's men can now look forward to tantalising encounters in Group A against Ajax, Liverpool and Napoli, with their opening group-stage fixture to take place in the first week of September.

Before preparing for more memorable European nights, Rangers will turn their attention to Saturday's clash with Ross County, whom they have impressive record against.

The Gers have won 12 of their last 13 league meetings against Ross County, including each of their last six at Ibrox by an aggregate score of 19-4.

Rangers were unable to maintain their 100% start to the new Premiership campaign last weekend, as they were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw with nine men against Hibernian. John Lundstram and Alfredo Morelos were both sent off in the second half, before Josh Campbell scored a 93rd-minute equaliser.

After losing each of their opening three Premiership matches of the new season, Ross County eventually got off the mark when they secured a slender 1-0 home victory against newly-promoted Kilmarnock last weekend.

The hosts were reduced to 10 men when Ross Callachan was shown a second yellow card for a deliberate handball in the 81st minute, but they managed to score the winner just five minutes later with substitute Owura Edwards smashing the ball in from close range.

Malky Mackay was pleased with the way his side responded to going a man down late on, and the Staggies boss is now hoping that they can put together a positive run of form in the coming weeks as they bid to climb into the top half of the table.

However, Ross County head into Saturday's fixture having never won a top-flight match against Rangers in 16 attempts, losing 13 and drawing the other three.

The Dingwall-based outfit have also struggled in recent visits to Ibrox, losing each of their last three and conceding a total of 13 goals. They did, however, claim a point in an entertaining 3-3 draw against the Gers on home soil in January.

Rangers Scottish Premiership form:

Rangers form (all competitions):

Ross County Scottish Premiership form:

Ross County form (all competitions):

Team News

Rangers are short of options at centre-back with Ben Davies, John Souttar and Filip Helander all sidelined with injuries, while attackers Kemar Roofe and Ianis Hagi are also on the treatment table.

Lundstram has seen his red card against Hibs rescinded and he will be available for Saturday's contest, but Morelos - who was dropped from the matchday squad to face PSV in midweek - will serve a two-game ban.

Van Bronckhorst may decide to freshen up his starting lineup with a few changes, with the likes of Scott Wright, Scott Arfield, Steven Davis, Ryan Jack and Rabbi Matondo all pushing to start after beginning on the bench against PSV.

As for Ross County, they will be without Callachan and Jack Baldwin due to suspension, while Connor Randall (broken leg) and William Akio (knee) remain sidelined with injuries.

Jordan Tillson is the most likely candidate to replace Callachan, partnering David Cancola in centre-midfield.

Striker Jordan White, who has scored in all four of his Premiership appearances for Ross County against Rangers, will be hoping to force his way into the first XI ahead of Jordy Hiwula.

Rangers possible starting lineup:

McLaughlin; Tavernier, Goldson, Sands, Barisic; Lundstram, Davis, Jack; Tillman, Colak, Kent

Ross County possible starting lineup:

Laidlaw; Johnson, Watson, Iacovitti, Purrington; Cancola, Tillson; Sims, Samuel, Edwards; White

We say: Rangers 3-0 Ross County

Both sides head into Saturday's contest on a high after claiming victories in their most recent matches, but Rangers will be viewed as the strong favourites to come out on top here.

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