Ross County made history by beating Rangers for the first time in their history, coming out on top 3-2 in Dingwall.
A Jack Baldwin own goal put the title challengers ahead, but goals from Simon Murray, George Harmon and Josh Sims had County cruising. James Tavernier netted a consolation penalty for the visitors late in the day.
The Staggies got off to a flying start in the opening minute. Murray found Michee Efete in behind, and his cross reached George Harmon who could only wide from close range.
Rangers had the opening goal after fifteen minutes in unfortunate circumstances from a County point of view as Baldwin headed into his own net from a Tavernier corner kick.
Josh Sims was denied by England squad candidate Jack Butland as he cut inside past Tavernier and Goldson before drilling a shot that the Rangers ‘keeper did well to push away.
Ross Laidlaw, restored to the starting XI, was next to make a wonderful save. The ball came all the way through the box to Cyriel Dessers from a Fabio Silva shot, and the Nigerian had the goal at his mercy, but the County no.1 made himself big to keep Rangers from a second.
Before the closing of the half Harmon had another great chance as Eli King set him up from 10 yards out, but the left-back fired well over into the away stand.
The contents of Don Cowie’s half-time team talk were of great interest after the match because of what followed.
Barely a minute after the game resumed, Ross County were level. Sims flashed a ball across to Murray, who had his first attempt saved by Butland, but County’s top scorer followed it in for the equaliser.
Only a few minutes later, Harmon finally had his goal. Yan Dhanda found Murray on the counter attack, and Butland could only parry the strikers’ shot at goal as far as the Englishman, who made no mistake this time from point-blank range.
It was a ruthless turnaround from the Staggies, and things got better from there.
King found some space in the penalty area and instead of shooting, he composed himself and set up Sims who took a touch and slotted it away. The Jailend erupted for the third time, and County were on course to make history.
As the match drew to a close and County seemed to be seeing it out, Rangers were awarded a penalty after a VAR check adjudged substitute Brandon Khela to have handled the ball. Tavernier stepped up and scored a great spot kick despite Laidlaw diving the right way.
Phillipe Clement’s men pushed and pushed for an equaliser, even sending Butland up for set pieces, but the match ended, and Ross County had beaten Rangers for the first time ever.
Three things we learned
Captain Fantastic
Jack Baldwin seems to be a lightning rod for criticism at times in a County shirt.
Whether it be sendings off, or errors leading to goals, the Staggies skipper has had some difficult times at the club, despite being a brick wall at his best.
His performance yesterday was key in the win though, and he showed remarkable resilience to keep going after opening the scoring with an own goal. According to Don Cowie, he was sporting a black eye in the dressing room after the match.
Baldwin is the ultimate defender when County are under siege, and was excellent when it came to passing the ball out from the back. If the Staggies are to stay up this season then they need the captain at the heart of it.
Super Ross Laidlaw in goals
George Wickens has served County well in his short time at the club, bar a mistake here or there.
There is a reason that Ross Laidlaw is so beloved by the fanbase though.
Every season Laidlaw has been at Ross County, he has beaten away competition from loan goalkeeper after loan goalkeeper, whether it be Nathan Baxter, Ross Doohan, Ashley Maynard-Brewer, Jake Eastwood, or this time, Wickens.
He has always come back stronger.
Against Rangers, it seemed that he was Cyriel Dessers’ own personal curse. Not to mention brilliant stops to deny the likes of Todd Cantwell.
It seems that County’s no.1 now has the gloves back for the run in.
Why now?
It’s truly baffling how County will turn in a performance like that against a Rangers team composed of multi-million pound players, but sink to a anonymous defeat against the likes of Kilmarnock only the week before.
Do the boys perform better against a higher press? Is it Victoria Park (where Don Cowie is still undefeated as manager)?
Nobody really knows, but if they can replicate that kind of performance in the split, Ross County could be clear of the relegation battle by the end of the season.
Realistically, it’ll be more difficult than that, and it’ll be close, but yesterday’s result will make fans, players and staff more hopeful than they’ve been in weeks.
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