County cook up a storm as Rangers blow chance to keep rivals at bay
Late Wright strike sees Van Bronckhorst’s side drop crucial points ahead of crunch Old Firm derby
STORM MALIK wreaked havoc across Scotland. Ross County caused chaos in the Rangers box as they blew the Premiership champions’ title bid off course in Dingwall.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side looked to have avoided a costly stumble on the eve of the second Old Firm clash of the campaign as they came from behind to lead late on.
But it was the Staggies who would have the final say on a remarkable afternoon. As four seasons hit the Global Energy Stadium, Rangers failed to weather the storm.
Goals from Amad Diallo, James Tavernier and Connor Goldson – the latter two coming after Jordan White and Regan Charles-Cook had netted – should have been enough for Rangers.
Their defensive frailty and inability to see it out cost them in the end, though. When Matthew Wright scored in the sixth minute of added time, there was no chance for another rousing comeback for the visitors.
Parkhead now awaits for Van Bronckhorst. His unbeaten run continues but the momentum has been lost as a result of the four points thrown away here and at Pittodrie.
The final days of the transfer window and that Celtic clash could be defining for Rangers. The ramifications will, of course, be longer lasting than just the remainder of the title race.
The signing of Diallo in midweek had been warmly welcomed by supporters. Given his pedigree and potential, there is excitement about seeing what he can do during a brief stint in Scotland before he looks to make a name for himself at Old Trafford.
The 19-year-old was serenaded from the stands during the warm-up and in the minutes before kick-off. It didn’t take him long for him to repay that backing on the park.
Rangers needed to start on the front foot and look to assert themselves on what was – regardless of the respective league positions – always going to be a tricky test. Such occasions are crucial in any title race.
When Diallo fired the visitors ahead after five minutes, Rangers looked to be off and running. They would shoot themselves in the foot,
though. The two goals that County scored in the first half were comical, catastrophic affairs defensively. The first of the afternoon was a fine move, however, as Diallo netted at the back post.
Borna Barisic and Cedric Itten were involved in the build-up, but it was the returning Joe Aribo who was the creative force. His burst forward had County concerned and he would pick out Diallo as he nipped in ahead of Jake Vokins to open his account.
That should have been the foundations for victory laid for Rangers. Instead, it would all come crumbling down inside five shambolic minutes as the champions trailed at the break.
Allan McGregor will hold his hands up for the first mistake. A cross from Joseph Hungbo was inexplicably spilled when it should have been held easily.
White was in the right place at the right time. The ball dropped out of McGregor’s grasp and to his feet and White converted from close range to stun Rangers and silence the travelling support.
Rangers had created little since their fine start. That would come back to haunt them as another defensive disaster allowed Charles-Cook to double County’s tally.
Goldson made a mess of a straightforward clearance in the middle of the park and Barisic would aim a tame header at White. Calvin Bassey was just as culpable as a wild swipe missed the ball.
Charles-Cook couldn’t believe his luck and he would make Rangers pay. With only McGregor to beat, his low finish was clinical as he netted for the 10th time in an impressive campaign.
There was no response from Rangers before the break. There was at least a bit more threat about them, but the goal they needed never arrived and the injection of intent was belated.
Tavernier was denied at the near post by Ash MaynardBrewer before a free-kick whistled just over the bar. The County keeper also saved a drive from Glen Kamara and did well to block a Scott Arfield effort after he combined with the largely ineffective Itten.
Rangers finished the first half in the ascendancy. After the break, they picked up where they left off and eradicated the arrears within four minutes.
Diallo caused the initial problems for County. Cutting in from the right flank, his effort was saved and spilled by Maynard-Brewer as the ball broke loose.
Ryan Kent and Kayne Ramsay both challenged for it. When it fell to Tavernier, the captain got the decisive touch as Rangers got the goal that they so desperately needed.
The visitors could now go in search of the winner. County were under the cosh and survived a couple of scares before Van Bronckhorst utilised his bench for the first time and Kemar Roofe took over from Itten through the middle.
Just minutes later, he had to make another switch. Diallo came off worst as a shot was blocked on the edge of the area and he would later receive treatment before being forced off and replaced by Fashion Sakala. The Ivorian hadn’t stolen the show, but he had shown enough in an eye-catching and encouraging debut to suggest he can be a real asset for Rangers in the coming months. Already a favourite with supporters, he has a chance to make himself a hero at Parkhead on Wednesday evening.
Rangers needed one to emerge here first, though. It was Goldson who thought he had assumed the role as he headed home from close range to complete the comeback and spark exuberant celebrations in the away end.
Barisic’s cross from the left wasn’t cleared with but Roofe was denied. Maynard-Brewer saved from Arfield and the ball spun into the air.
It was Goldson who reacted the quickest. He converted from a couple of yards out and was mobbed by a handful of fans who encroached onto the park. His reaction at the final whistle was very different. He would let out a furious, visceral roar as Rangers squandered two points and the momentum in the title race.
Once again, the champions were masters of their own downfall. A corner wasn’t cleared in the closing seconds and Wright converted from close range. It was the final twist in the tale. It was one of the most significant yet in the Premiership title race.