Match Report | Rangers 4-2 RCFC

Ross County were defeated 4-2 this afternoon by Scottish champions Rangers at Ibrox despite taking an early lead.

Joseph Hungbo launched County into the driving seat in the opening minutes of the game but goals from Joe Aribo, Ryan Kent, Juninho Bacuna and an own goal from Alex Iacovitti saw the hosts storm ahead as the match wore on.

A consolation goal from Jordan White with 3 minutes to go made it 4-2 but the Staggies left it to late to mount a comeback.

After just 6 minutes, the Staggies remarkably went ahead! A surging deep run from Regan Charles-Cook followed his excellent retrieval of the ball in the middle before he slipped in Joseph Hungbo on his right. The Watford-loanee, who was occupying a more central role for the first time this season, maintained composure in front of goal and calmy rolled the ball under the arms of Allan McGregor and into the bottom left corner. Hungbo’s second goal in as many games was the 5^th consecutive time Rangers had gone behind first in their last 5 matches, but on all previous occasions the Ibrox club avoided defeat. Could County upset the trend and hang onto their lead?

Unfortunately, 13 minutes later, the hosts replied with an equaliser. James Tavernier’s in-swinging corner from the right of the box was glanced beyond Ashley Maynard-Brewer by Joe Aribo at the front post to give Rangers the set piece goal that they had already threatened to deliver in the opening stages.

With half an hour played, Ryan Kent had now fired the champions into the lead. County initially done well to deal with another wicked Rangers corner delivery, but the clearance was picked up by Kent around 25 yards from goal. The winger then marked his first start since returning from a lengthy injury with a spectacular goal as he unleashed a thunderous strike from distance that dipped over Ashley Maynard-Brewer and into the top right corner.

After a dream start, County were soon victims of Rangers resourceful attacking forces and found themselves 2-1 down at the interval.

Just 4 minutes after the restart, Steven Gerrard’s men extended their lead when Juninho Bacuna grabbed his first goal in a Rangers shirt. An intricate one-two between Aribo and Bacuna on the edge of the box freed the Curacao international to line up a terrific, arrowed shot into the top left corner.

On the hour mark, Rangers were dealt a slice of luck to aid their pursuit of a 4^th goal. James Tavernier received the ball on the right of the box and had his subsequent whipped low cross diverted into the net by County defender Alex Iacovitti. The pace of the cross perhaps fooled Iacovitti who had already gone to ground to prevent Kemar Roofe converting a tap in behind him.

With just 3 minutes to play, County grabbed a consolation goal through substitute Jordan White. Harry Paton done well to slip in the big striker with a measured through pass on the edge of the box before White successfully poked the ball beyond Allan McGregor to cut the deficit to 2 goals.

Malky Mackay’s side remain at the foot of the Scottish Premiership but now look to Wednesday to fulfil their previously postponed home fixtures against Hibernian with hopes to bring back to within just 1 point of Dundee in 11^th.