Resurgent Rangers made it four wins on the spin as they teed themselves up ahead of a week for the ages with a decisive 3-0 victory over Ross County.
A double-header with Tottenham and Celtic awaits and it was the perfect preparation for Philippe Clement and Co at a venue that evokes flashbacks to recent heartbreak. Indeed there were no signs of the fragility which cost them in the title-altering 3-2 defeat in April. No, it was all business as burgeoning Hamza Igamane‘s pop from the edge of the box found the net after a deflection and Danilo punished Jack Hamilton’s horrific dallying by stripping the keeper of the ball before turning home. Skipper James Tavernier got in on the act in the final moments as he cut across a teasing deflection and left Hamilton with no hope.
Were Rangers as rampant as they were on Wednesday? Not even close, but they disarmed a Staggies side who are only safe from danger due to their excellent record at the Global Energy Stadium. Vaclav Cerny, so often a lone bright spot during an autumn of abject displays, was uncharacteristically sloppy and over-thought multiple changes when racing in on goal. County manfully battled on but the lack of quality was stark, Ronan Hale’s teasing cross in the second half appeared to be netbound when Jordan White’s flick was added but John Souttar smelled danger and his brave block was applauded by Jack Butland.
But for every County half chance, there were two more Rangers. Ianis Hagi and Nedim Bajrami applied a shoot on sight policy but it was misfire after misfire until Tavernier’s strike found the net. He wasn’t fibbing when he insisted he was as fit as ever. Bigger tests lie in wait but Rangers are finally discovering something to build on. Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou and Celtic will kill any newfound confidence but Clement and Co have arrested a stuttering run ahead of a season-defining double. Here’s 3 talking points from Dingwall.
Mane Man
Scouts and Moroccan football observers insisted Igamane was a player of substance but such proclamations came with a sizable caveat – this was a kid leaving his homeland and aiming to prove the hype had substance. Clement was equally cautious with the 22-year-old upon arrival. He pleaded patience and in a city where it’s in short supply but he is now being handsomely rewarded. Igamane plays with freedom in a team which has often appeared shackled in recent months. His goal will grab the headlines, but don’t downplay his desire to harangue the opposition and the ability to square defenders up. Is he the finished article? Absolutely not, however, Clement’s “rough diamond” assertion appears bang on the money.
Don’t Count-y them in
“That’s twice we’ve been 11th, so we need to make sure we’re not in that position again”, that’s what Ross County chairman Roy MacGregor vowed after his side’s latest playoff escape. But, in truth, that always sounded merely an act of defiance rather than evidence of a shift of strategy in Dingwall. Summer signing Ronan Hale encapsulates the plight of County, a proper striker but imagine him and Simon Murray dovetailing rather than the Northern Irishman replacing the latter? That is his true progression is found. Don Cowie has a knack for securing results at home but their dreary away record means a third consecutive year in the playoffs might be appealing right about now as they sit only three points from bottom of the table.
Concussion sub causes a headache
Stricken Eli Campbell was floored by Ianis Hagi’s venomous shot but the decision to allow him to carry on should cause a twang to those pushing for stringent measures for head knocks and possible concussions in football. The 20 year-old suffered a dunt so pronounced the TV cameras daren’t film him until they were sure he was fine. Rangers’ players, led by Hagi himself, were seriously worried and further images showed the ball caught him behind the ear, a dangerous area to suffer a blow. But after a check he was given the all clear. Ross County’s medical staff will have been satisfied, however, the incident appears the exact type of impact to the head where caution may have been an opportunity to truly show the seriousness on display to put player welfare first.