Ross Countyvs.Rangers

Heading into the game, the Gers sit third in the table, with plenty of work to do if they are to fight their way back into the title race.

Match preview

A 1-1 draw with Dundee United at Ibrox last month left Rangers 11 points behind league leaders Celtic in the table, leading to some calls for manager Philippe Clement to be sacked.

Since that draw, Rangers have responded with three consecutive wins in all competitions, which have helped ease doubts surrounding the Belgian's future at the club.

A 4-1 win away to Nice in the Europa League was followed by two league victories, the most recent of which was a 6-0 triumph over Kilmarnock earlier this week.

The visitors will look to continue their resurgence against Ross County this weekend, ahead of a pivotal week in their season, when they will face Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League, before taking on arch-rivals Celtic in the Scottish League Cup final.

After dropping 11 points on the road this season, Clement will know his side cannot afford any complacency this weekend, despite having bigger challenges on the horizon.

Meanwhile, Ross County will be hoping to bounce back after suffering a humbling 5-0 defeat away to defending champions Celtic last time out in the league.

While their chances of coming away with any points from Celtic Park were always slim, the manner of their defeat would have undoubtedly frustrated manager Don Cowie.

The damage was done in the first half, with goals from Liam Scales, Luke McCowan, Paulo Bernardo, Callum McGregor and Adam Idah effectively wrapping the game up within 40 minutes.

The defeat to the Hoops last weekend continued County's poor away form in the league, as Cowie's men have yet to win on the road this season.

Therefore, the Staggies will be relieved to return home for this fixture, having secured 12 of their 15 points this season at the Global Energy Stadium.

The hosts have not lost at home in the league since a 2-1 defeat to Celtic in early October, a run that includes victories over both Kilmarnock and Motherwell.

Cowie's side can also draw confidence from their performance against Rangers last season, when a 3-2 victory secured County's first-ever win over the Gers and dented the Glasgow side's title hopes.

However, the visitors exacted some revenge on Ross County earlier this season with a 6-0 win against the Staggies at Ibrox, a game that Clement's team dominated from start to finish.

Ross County Scottish Premiership form:

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D

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L

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L

Rangers Scottish Premiership form:

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L

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D

W

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Rangers form (all competitions):

D

W

D

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W

Team News

The hosts will be without Will Nightingale, who is not expected back until later this month due to a knee issue, while Max Sheaf may return from injury after being an unused substitute last time out.

Elsewhere, George Harmon's recent comeback from injury has been a welcome boost for Cowie's side, and he is expected to feature again this weekend.

For the visitors, Neraysho Kasanwirjo could miss the remainder of the season due to a knee problem he suffered on international duty last month.

Additionally, Dujon Sterling was not involved in the recent wins against St Johnstone and Kilmarnock due to a blocked nerve, whereas Ridvan Yilmaz is short of fitness following a lengthy absence.

In better news for Rangers, both Oscar Cortes and Tom Lawrence are close to returning to action, while Rabbi Matondo is back in training following a hamstring injury.

Ross County possible starting lineup:

Laidlaw; Leak, Campbell, Wright; Harmon, Telfer, Nisbet, Brown, Chilvers; White, Hale

Rangers possible starting lineup:

Butland; Jefte, Balogun, Souttar, Tavernier; Raskin, Diamonde, Igamane, Hagi, Cerny; Danilo

We say: Ross County 1-2 Rangers

Despite all the speculation surrounding their manager's long-term future, Rangers have built momentum ahead of an important week for the club.

Written by

Tom Humphrey

Previews by email