Ross County 0-4 Rangers: Steven Gerrard's side extend Scottish Premiership lead
- Published
Highlights: Ross County 0-4 Rangers
Rangers extended their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership to 13 points after easing aside a stubborn second-bottom Ross County in Dingwall.
The hosts had hoped to build on last weekend's League Cup win over Celtic.
But Kemar Roofe poked in the first-half opener before James Tavernier's close-range finish, a Callum Morris own goal and Jermain Defoe added the gloss.
The win puts more pressure on second-top holders Celtic, who drew with St Johnstone later in the afternoon.
County had won three of their last four outings, but the victories all came in their run to the Scottish League Cup quarter-finals. They are now without a win in eight league outings and have lost eight in row to Rangers - the last five without scoring a goal.
Steven Gerrard's side, meanwhile, continue their dominance at the top after extending their unbeaten run to 12 games away from home - and 24 overall - since losing to Bayer Leverkusen in last season's delayed Europa League quarter-final.
This was always going to require a different kind of approach by Rangers from Thursday's wide open, end-to-end affair against Standard Liege.
It looked like the visitors would badly miss the marauding wing play from left-back Borna Barisic, who picked up a knock midweek, and the midfield penetration offered by Scott Arfield, who was also given a well-deserved rest on the bench.
With County stringing five across the back, Rangers enjoyed 80% possession, but it was all in front of a packed and disciplined home rearguard and it was County who created the game's first clear-cut chance after 26 minutes.
Showing similar prowess on the break that knocked holders Celtic out of the League Cup in Glasgow a week ago, Iain Vigurs' raking crossfield ball was controlled superbly by Harry Paton and the Canadian midfielder turned inside Leon Balogun but his powerful 15-yard drive was beaten clear by goalkeeper Allan McGregor.
After McGregor nervously punched clear the resulting corner, Rangers showed how it should be done by scoring in their next attack.
Steven Davis' probing pass found Tavernier in a rare area of space behind the County defence and the right-back's low cross to the front post was poked home by Roofe for the English striker's eighth goal of the season.
Roofe sent a drive just over moments later, had a header well saved by Ross Laidlaw then thought he had added his second when he met a low Ryan Kent cross, but it struck a defender and deflected off Tavernier's shin before crossing the line for his 16th of the season.
County right-back Connor Randall somehow missed from similar close range at the other end before the Rangers captain turned provider, his cross heading for Alfredo Morelos being deflected into his own net by Morris.
There was still time for a significant cameo for former England striker Defoe, the substitute scoring on the turn to mark his 800th senior appearance - 743 club games and 57 for his country - with a goal.
Man of the match - James Tavernier (Rangers)
Rangers captain James Tavernier (right) scored one and had a cross deflected in by Callum Morris (left)
What did we learn?
Rangers are looking relentless at the top of the Premiership and showed no signs of fatigue despite manager Gerrard resisting the temptation to rest many of his players after their Europa League exertions on Thursday.
That's 14 clean sheets in 16 league games this season - only Motherwell and Hibernian have scored against them - and a third domestic 4-0 win in a row, scoring 25 goals in their last six outings in all competitions. Impressive statistics at both ends of the park.
County manager Stuart Kettlewell's tactics seemed to be working, as they did last weekend, but once they missed their best chance at one end and conceded at the other, Rangers were able to exploit the hosts' need to be more adventurous.
As well as having to arrest a poor run of league results, Kettlewell is also investigating allegations that Michael Gardyne directed an insult at Rangers' Morelos after a foul on the striker on the stroke of half-time that led to the midfielder being booked.
What did they say?
Stuart Kettlewell says he was encouraged by Ross County performance despite defeat
Ross County manager Stuart Kettlewell: "There were a lot of the 90 minutes that were similar to last week. I think we got every ounce of energy and commitment out of the players, but we've probably lacked that bit of quality when the one or two chances have come our way.
"We look at Harry Paton's chance at 0-0 and Connor Randall's chance at 2-0 and that's one that maybe turns the game in our favour, but I'm happy with a lot of what I've seen."
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard: "Another strong performance at a tricky place to come to. It's a team full of confidence and I'm sure all week they were saying 'let's do the same to them as we did to Celtic'.
"The players showed a lot of quality to go and hurt Ross County at times. A pleasing performance."
What's next?
Rangers head for Poland on Thursday on a high as they seek a victory over Lech Poznan that would secure top spot in their Europa League group before the second of three Premiership trips in a row, against Dundee United. County next hope to improve their league form away to Aberdeen on Saturday.
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