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Ross County
Scottish Premiership | Gameweek 16
Dec 8, 2024 at 12pm UK
Global Energy Stadium
Rangers logo

Ross County
0 - 3
Rangers


Efete (42')
FT(HT: 0-2)
Hamza (6'), Danilo (37'), Tavernier (86')
Dessers (90+2')

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

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Scottish Premiership clash between Ross County and Rangers, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Rangers travel to Ross County this weekend, aiming to close the gap on both Aberdeen and Celtic in the Scottish Premiership standings.

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

Rangers manager Philippe Clement on September 15, 2024© Imago

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.

Don Cowie Ross County manager on August 3, 2024© Imago

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:

Rangers Scottish Premiership form:


Rangers form (all competitions):



Team News

Rangers' Rabbi Matondo on August 17, 2024© Imago

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


SM words green background

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.

Although their away form has been far from ideal, they travel to a team with just three wins all season, so we expect Rangers to secure maximum points from this match.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




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Written by
Tom Humphrey

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Game History

How you voted: Ross County vs Rangers

Ross County
8.0%
Draw
28.0%
Rangers
64.0%
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rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1514104444043
2Aberdeen16104230181234
3RangersRangers1510232791832
4Motherwell168172226-425
5Dundee UnitedDundee Utd166642519624
6St Mirren176382228-621
7Dundee165472729-219
8Kilmarnock174581834-1617
9Hibernian173682129-815
10Ross County173681333-2015
11St Johnstone1742112032-1214
12Hearts1734101826-813


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