Match Report: Ross County 0-1 Rangers

A JOHN Lundstram strike was the difference in Dingwall as Rangers picked up three points in the Scottish Premiership this evening.

The midfielder’s 35th minute goal saw the Light Blues to a 1-0 victory to make it three wins from three under new manager Michael Beale.

There were four changes from Tuesday’s match against Aberdeen as Jon McLaughlin, Ben Davies, John Lundstram and Scott Arfield all came into the starting XI.

With Allan McGregor ruled out with an illness, McLaughlin lined-up between the sticks with James Tavernier, Connor Goldson, Ben Davies and Adam Devine in front of him.

There was a midfield of John Lundstram, Glen Kamara and Scott Arfield, with Malik Tillman and Ryan Kent supporting striker Fashion Jr.

With just two minutes on the clock Rangers managed to create an opening as John Lundstram floated a long pass out wide to find Adam Devine on the left wing. The 19-year-old swung the ball into the box, with Malik Tillman getting a shot away at goal but it was wide of the target.

Connor Goldson had an effort from the edge of the box held by Ross County goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw before Fashion Jr fired wide of the post following good build-up play from Malik Tillman.

The home side had a couple of chances of their own around the 20-minute mark as they came close to an opening goal in the Highlands. A close-range header from George Harmon at the back post was kept out by a fantastic block from Jon McLaughlin before Owura Edwards-Owura sent a shot across goal and wide of the target shortly after.

Staggies captain Keith Watson was shown a yellow card as the game approached the half-hour mark after a late challenge on Ryan Kent on the edge of the box as the Gers winger looked to get a shot away at goal. From the resulting free-kick, James Tavernier looked to work Laidlaw but his strike was blocked by the wall.

However, it wasn’t long until Rangers had an opening goal in Dingwall thanks to John Lundstram. The midfielder played the ball out to Fashion Jr on the right before continuing his run and receiving a return from the Zambian. With space on the edge of the box, Lundstram released a powerful left-footed shot which nestled into the bottom corner of the net for his fifth league goal of the season.

Late in the first-half, Yan Dhanda curled a free-kick wide of Jon McLaughlin’s goal as Rangers headed in at the break with the advantage.

Rangers had a great chance to double their lead early in the second-half with some good build-up play from John Lundstram and Adam Devine, with the full-back finding space again in the left-flank to get a dangerous ball into the box. Fashion Jr had made a strong run into the area but his close-range effort was matched with a strong block from Laidlaw.

Michael Beale made his first change of the evening in the 58th minute as Alfredo Morelos was introduced in place of Fashion Jr, with Ryan Jack and Rabbi Matondo taking to the field shortly after.

Rangers were continuing to push for a second goal and Matondo almost managed to find Morelos at the back post with a ball from the left following more positive build-up play from Adam Devine.

Kazeem Olaigbe had a chance for the home ideas he raced towards goal but his effort hit the side netting before Alfredo Morelos had a shot held by Laidlaw at the other end.

In added time, Laidlaw was again called into action as he got a strong block on a shot from Rabbi Matondo, with Morelos unable to keep his attempt on target after being alert to the rebound.

Matondo had a fantastic opportunity again late in the game as he raced through on goal to go one on one with the Ross County keeper but Laidlaw got a touch to deny the forward.

RANGERS: McLaughlin, Tavernier, Goldson, Davies, Devine, Lundstram, Kent, Kamara, Davies, Fashion Jr (Morelos, 58), Arfield (Jack, 67) , Devine, Tillman (Matondo, 67) .

Subs: McCrorie, Sands, Wright, McCann, King, Lowry.

Ross County: Laidlaw, Randall, Cancola (Olaigbe, 62), Iacovitti, Edwards-Owura (Callachan, 75), Dhanda (Akio, 85), Loturi, Watson, Harmon, Tillson (Hiwula, 85), White.

Subs: Eastwood, Samuel, Sims, Johnson, Paton.

Referee: Don Robertson