Match Preview - Rangers (A)

Ross County legend Don Cowie has a baptism of fire for his first match in charge of the Staggies after a meteoric rise through all areas of the club we love.

From leading the team out as a mascot in 1993, he progressed onto the first team in Dingwall after spending his youth in the academy. After an illustrious career with some huge English clubs and making ten appearances for the Scottish national team, Don returned to Dingwall as a player in 2018 and has since progressed through the coaching ranks from under 18s coach bringing him up to speed where he proudly stands today, as the manager of this football club.

Not bad for a wee boy from Dingwall.

You would be hard placed to find a tougher task than the one Cowie will take on this week however, facing a midweek, nighttime trip to face title-fighting Rangers at Ibrox.

This match arrives as a 7:45 PM kick-off after Derek Adams resigned from his position as gaffer.

Ross County

Don Cowie has spoken in the media this week about hard work being the cornerstone for what he sees his Ross County looking like.

That will be music to the Staggies ears after a disastrous 5-0 defeat away to Motherwell last week.

Of course, it’s a hard task taking on Phillipe Clement’s side, but a showing which will eradicate the negative factors in play at Fir Park will go a long way into giving some belief and encouragement back to the well-travelled Ross County contingent.

Player to Watch

Jordan White has been a crucial figure in Dingwall over the past three years and reminded Adams of his goalscoring knack when he grabbed a late winner vs St Mirren.

Jordan got onto the end of a James Brown corner and headed home to win the match.

His presence at the top end of the park against a sizable Rangers duo of central defenders could be key.

If White starts, his match-up versus Connor Goldson could be an interesting battle to keep an eye out for.

Don Cowie is a man who knows Jordan White well, having both been working together at the club for several years – so he may be pipped to start at the top end of the Park.

From the Dugout with Don Cowie

Having been attached to the club as a youngster and then continuing on through its youth ranks, and with his dad a Ross County legend, it was possibly inevitable that Don Cowie would one day sit in the manager's seat.

And although the timing and reasons behind his arrival have not been of his making, it's clear he's a man who thinks his managerial time has come.

Appointed interim manager last week following the resignation of Derek Adams, Cowie is justifiably proud of fulfilling a long-held ambition to head into the dugout as the main man.

The fact that he's done so in Dingwall with County makes it even more pleasing.

And with County confirming that they're not looking for anyone else to fill the role for the present, Cowie knows he has the chance to make the job his own if he can motivate his players and start getting points on the board.

"My remit here is to take charge on an interim basis - there's no timescale on that and the club are not actively looking for a manager. It's my job to bring a calmness to the club, to make sure the players get going again and become competitive, " he said at his first press conference in charge.

"It's something I've aspired to be and it's a club I know well and have had a long association with - so it's a proud moment for me and my family," he said.

That familiarity with the club is something he sees as a big plus in his favour although whether he foresaw taking over the hot seat all those years ago when he first started playing here aged just eight is open to debate.

Progressing to the youth ranks and first team he then gained huge experience playing with Inverness Caley, Watford, Cardiff, Wigan and Hearts, returning to Dingwall in 2018 and becoming a first-team coach under Stuart Kettlewell when he retired before becoming assistant to Malky Mackay.

Add in the small matter of his 10 international caps with Scotland and you can see that this is a guy who's been there, seen it and bought several t-shirts.

It's also why he has the respect of his players even at this early stage, with injured captain Jack Baldwin saying his new boss's footballing pedigree is fantastic and one that will hopefully rub off on the players. Cowie in turn has shown what he thinks of Baldwin by asking him to come to Ibrox on the team bus and also be in the dressing room, even although he's on the injured list.

Playing under so many different managers as a player - Brendan Rodgers and Sean Dyche to name but two - is also seen as a plus by Cowie.

"I've taken things from all of them and but ultimately I'll be myself and put my own stamp on things," he said.

He hardly needs any further motivation but if he did his very first game in charge at Ibrox against Rangers should whet the appetite.

"Rangers are an excellent team on an excellent run but if we go there with a plan and the players pull together the way I know they can we can still create problems for them, " he said.

He wants his teams to be a threat to any team when they go forward - but he's really clear that firstly he wants his players to be known for working their socks off.

"First and foremost the foundation for me is hard work. If you're at Ross County and you want to achieve things, the cornerstone of that is to work hard. I want the fans to see players who've given everything to their club.

"I'm probably a clear indication of what you get if you work hard. Some of these players have far more ability than I had, but if you work hard, and maximise what you've got, you can achieve anything in football."

Rangers

Rangers have looked like an incredibly strong force since Belgian Phillipe Clement arrived in Govan.

He has worked wonders with a squad that was short of confidence at the time of arrival, and now they look set to challenge Celtic to the title.

Since that loss to rivals Celtic in December, the Ibrox side have won their last seven in untouchable fashion.

New man Oscar Cortez was man of the match on his debut against Ayr United.

The right winger has scored once and grabbed one assist in just four appearances for Lens this season.

Attacking midfielder Mohammed Diamonde also made his debut in that match.

Player to Watch

Of course, it is the Rangers skipper James Tavernier. He has been the key man for so long in Glasgow and has a frightening ability to pop up with goals when it matters most.

He is the top scorer for Rangers this season with ten bagged, as well as being the top assister with five.

He will undoubtedly be key for Clement, and he could well be the difference maker in the tie.

Familiar Faces

Richard Foster and Stephen Kelly both played for Rangers as well as the Staggies.

Mark Brown and Brian McLean also played for the Glasgow side.

Memorable Match

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCIAODjqf4I

Team News

Ross Callachan, Scott Allardice, and Dylan Smith are all out long-term.

Jack Baldwin and Will Nightingale may miss out.

Refereeing Team

Referee: Alan Muir

AR1: Calum Spence

AR2: Stuart Stevenson

Fourth Official: Ross Hardie

VAR: Gavin Duncan

AVAR: Alan Mulvanny

Ticket Information

Uncollected tickets can be picked up from Ibrox Stadium ticket office.