First team
Match Report | RCFC 2-4 Rangers
22/08/2021
Ross County were defeated 4-2 today by league champions Rangers at the Global Energy Stadium.
Joe Aribo and Connor Goldson put the visitors 2 goals ahead inside the first 20 minutes before Harry Clarke got the Staggies back in the match minutes before half time.
However, goals from Alfredo Morelos and Scott Arfield made Jordan White’s second half penalty redundant as Steven Gerrard’s men walked away with all 3 points.
Inside the 6th minute, County had a legitimate penalty claim, yet one was not forthcoming. Alex Iacovitti clearly headed the ball onto the raised hand of Leon Balogun inside the penalty area but to the surprise of both sets of players, the referee had adjudged Iacovitti to foul the Nigerian international before any handball infringement had occurred.
In the 15th minute, Joe Aribo put the champions ahead after he chopped inside of Ben Paton to dispatch a beautifully bended effort from the edge of the box into the far-left corner.
Just 3 minutes later Connor Goldson then doubled the visitors’ advantage when he directed his header into the bottom left corner from James Tavernier’s corner.
Thereafter County really struggled to get into a rhythm or piece together any distinct passages of play. Rangers continued to dominate the ball but it was the home side who were in the ascendancy as the first half drew to a close.
In the 40th minute Malky MacKay’s side pulled a crucial goal back before half time to galvanise the Staggies. Ross Callachan picked up the ball from David Cancola’s deep free kick before laying off Ben Paton to deliver. The Canadian international’s cross was met by Connor Randall, who had his left-footed effort from the centre of the box expertly saved by Allan McGregor. Fortunately, McGregor’s heroics were undone by Harry Clarke who stabbed home the rebound to clinch his first County goal on his home debut.
Malky Mackay would have hoped that Ross County’s 5-minute revival and consequent goal just minutes before half time could act as a catalyst for an improved second half performance.
However, 11 minutes after the restart Rangers restored their 2-goal lead through talisman Alfredo Morelos. Jordan Tillson’s miscued clearance fell kindly to the feet of Glen Kamara who played a first-time pass for Morelos to sweep into the far corner with his left foot. The Colombian international failed to catch the ball perfectly but the accuracy of his attempt made up for its lack of pace.
On the hour mark the Staggies almost replied with a goal of their own to reduce Rangers’ lead to 1 goal. Blair Spittal latched onto a simple long ball from Harry Clarke before firing his first effort down the throat of McGregor and his resulting rebound high and wide of the target.
However, County did eventually manage to get themselves back within a goal of level terms when Jordan White converted from the penalty spot in the 77th minute. After an exquisite team move, Regan Charles-Cook had his curling effort beat away by Allan McGregor, only for the rebound to find Blair Spittall inside the area. Spitall then thundered the ball goalward but it was blocked unintentionally by the outstretched arm of Calvin Bassey. Jordan White then stepped up to fire the resulting penalty into the right corner with assurance and conviction.
Despite County’s resilience, Rangers reinstated their habitual 2-goal advantage with 6 minutes to play. Substitute Scott Arfield released Alfredo Morelos down the right-hand side and endeavoured to continue his run into the box. Morelos then blasted the ball across the face of goal as Arfield cleverly followed-up Ross Laidlaw’s save to knock the ball into the net from close range.
Ultimately, Steven Gerrard’s Rangers were too strong for Malky MacKay’s newly-assembled side. The league champions pounced on County’s mistakes and always looked to be in charge of proceedings. However, the Staggies can take pride in their improved performance against quality opposition as they continue to navigate through a difficult set of opening fixtures to their 2021/22 cinch Premiership campaign.
