Ross County blows a huge hole in Rangers’ title hopes, but where does it leave their quest for glory?
Philippe Clement’s team traveled to the Highlands with the goal of earning maximum points, but they returned empty-handed.
Lacking inventiveness, enthusiasm, and desire.
Rangers’ poor effort lacked three key components, resulting in a historic victory for Ross County at Dingwall.
Rangers struggled under the weight of Celtic’s 3-0 win against St Mirren on Saturday.
We’re nearing the finish of the season, and many clubs have a lot at stake. Rangers’ comeback under their Belgian manager has been built on a sturdy foundation at the back. However, on Sunday, Clement’s team lost three precious points from a winning position in the Highlands.
Two teams are at opposing ends of the standings. Two teams with a lot at risk. One with a far larger playing budget and is embroiled in a championship war. Another battle to stay in the top division and save people’s jobs for a second season in a row.
On this viewing, no one can argue that relegation-threatened Ross County did not deserve a historic first-ever victory against Glasgow giants. Rangers appeared to be destined for second place behind Celtic after 90 minutes.
After taking the lead on a strange Jack Baldwin own goal after 15 minutes at the Global Energy Stadium, the Light Blues were satisfied to keep chipping away, confident that a second goal would come sooner or later. Instead, they were left with a fairly crimson face.
In reality, Rangers produced very little in front of goal. When they finally find an opening, they discovered Staggies No.1 Ross Laidlaw in fine form. County, however, had two or three wonderful opportunities before the break. They banged it about crisply, competed for every lost ball, and made the correct decisions at the appropriate times. More importantly, Don Cowie’s team was willing to put their bodies on the line to finish the job.
“I felt it was a fantastic team performance. “I’ve got Jack Baldwin in the dressing room with a black eye and Connor Randall with a cut on his ear,” Cowie told Sky Sports after the match, demonstrating County’s perseverance and grit in claiming an unexpected victory.
This effort and outcome were all the more amazing given the hosts’ league standing. They started the day four points down in second place. In their quest to escape the relegation play-offs, they are now only one point below St Johnstone.
Few supporters would have expected such a result. Given County’s current situation, no one would have batted an eyelash if they had conceded and lost by three or four goals. Instead, they were completely revitalized against a Rangers team that was so much off the pace, especially in the first half.
Rangers surrendered two goals inside five minutes of the restart, which was worrisome. No surprise Jack Butland was furious at the backline in front of him. especially after James Tavernier scored a penalty kick to make it 3-2 in the closing moments, the traveling supporters would have dismissed their team’s chances of salvaging a point, especially after the fourth official announced eight minutes of extra time.
“From what was a very strong position for Rangers, it becomes a very strong position for Celtic.” Former Scotland striker John Robertson’s assessment is difficult to disagree with, with Rangers sitting four points behind the defending champions with a game in hand.
A major source of concern was perhaps the worst defensive performance of Clement’s reign to date, coming at such a critical time in the season. The warning signals were there, and the message was reiterated to his teammates at halftime. However, the response that followed was dismal.
Rangers will now go to Dundee on Wednesday night for the penultimate game before the Premiership breaks in two for the final five fixtures. The momentum has switched back in Celtic’s favor. If the Rangers fail to win the championship, they will have plenty of time to reflect on this disastrous day in Dingwall.
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