Ross County is looking to bounce back after their 5-0 defeat last weekend against Philippe Clement’s ever-improving Rangers side.
Ross County
The home side showed their vulnerable away form once again last week as Celtic brutally dispatched them. A superb first forty-five minutes from the Glasgow side had them five up before the halftime whistle had blown. It was always a tough ask to take anything from Celtic Park, but the manner of performance once again showed the Staggie’s poor away form this season. Don Cowie has constantly highlighted his side’s need to take their home form on the road if they wish to avoid yet another relegation play-off come the end of the season.
County’s home form this season has been a standout, with only Celtic and Aberdeen taking all three points here this term. Last time in Dingwall, County toppled Motherwell in a tight 2-1 clash where Josh Nisbet stole the show with a stunning top-corner strike. Those three points look to be even more valuable, going into a tough run against both Glasgow sides back to back, the Staggies gave themselves a buffer ahead of the chasing pack below them.
Rangers
After weeks of uncertainty surrounding manager Philippe Clement, Rangers have slowly been improving, and even more positive news for Clement is their attack seems to finally be clicking. After a disappointing draw to Dundee Utd, many thought Nice in the Europa League was to be Clement’s swansong. The Gers however, put on their performance of the season, battering the French side 4-1. Following that up with a win against St. Johnstone before putting six past a usually dogged Kilmarnock side.
Today marks the start of a difficult week of fixtures for Rangers, they’ll face former Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou in the Europa League before the League Cup Final next weekend, where they face Celtic for the second time this season. Clement will be hoping they can lay down a marker at one of the toughest away trips in the country as they hope to build momentum heading into a pivotal week for the Gers.
Team News
Don Cowie’s biggest worry for today will be that number one Ross Laidlaw is out of action until the New Year. The Staggies keeper came off injured just before half-time last weekend at Celtic Park, with Jack Hamilton likely to replace Laidlaw in the meantime.
Will Nightingale is still out injured, and Kacper Lopata has a back issue, keeping him out of today’s side.
For the Gers, Oscar Cortes and Rabbi Matondo are back in training, but it remains if either are fit enough to feature today. Dujong Sterling has been an absentee in the Rangers’ last couple of games with a blocked nerve. However, he is available for selection, Clement has confirmed.
Previous meetings