Kemar Roofe marked his Rangers return with a goal as they warmed up for their crucial Champions League play-off second leg with a 2-0 victory against Ross County.
The striker was named in the starting XI for the first time in 16 months and repaid manager Michael Beale by opening the scoring in the Highlands.
A stunning solo effort from captain James Tavernier had the Ibrox side two up before half-time, curling to ball into the top corner from 25 yards.
Rangers dominated proceedings in Dingwall but could not add to the scoreline with Ross Laidlaw denying Cyriel Dessers and Sam Lammers.
The relatively stress-free victory was a boost for Beale’s side ahead of their crucial Champions League play-off game against PSV on Wednesday night.
A straight forward win in the Highlands
Rangers’ Kemar Roofe celebrates making it 1-0
Rangers travel to Eindhoven with the tie evenly poised at 2-2 and Roofe was not included in the squad for this round due to Beale’s concern about him playing three games in a week.
The former Leeds player has been troubled with injuries at Ibrox but after two substitute appearances this season, he started for the first time since April 2022, while Tom Lawrence, out for a year with a knee injury, was on the bench.
There was little action early on but in the 10th minute a header from Gers striker Dessers was saved by the legs of County ‘keeper Ross Laidlaw and the same player headed over from the resulting corner.
Rangers stepped up the pressure and from Borna Barisic’s corner from the right, Roofe shrugged off the attentions of County defender James Brown to volley in at the back post for his first goal since February.
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Kemar Roofe’s header puts Rangers ahead against Ross County at Dingwall
Tavernier’s terrific counter soon afterwards came when he robbed George Harmon in midfielder and strode forward before sending the ball dipping over Laidlaw from 20 yards, his third goal in six matches this season.
The match had swung away from the home side in a matter of minutes and Laidlaw did well to claw a curling Lammers effort from distance away from the top corner just before the break.
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A stunning strike from James Tavernier gives Rangers a 2-0 lead at Ross County
County stormed into attack after the break.
Striker Jordan White missed a great chance by heading Yan Dhanda’s cross past the post from six yards, while unmarked.
On the hour mark Roofe and Lammers made way for Sima and Rabbi Matondo as Beale injected real pace into his attack.
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Jordan White misses a great chance to get Ross County back in the game against Rangers
The changes had the desired effect and Rangers’ threat was re-established.
Laidlaw tipped a powerful Matondo drive over the bar before saving a Sima header moments later, with the home side defending the subsequent corners.
Lawrence came on for his long-awaited return along with Brazilian striker Danilo, with Dessers and Todd Cantwell going off.
Ross County had brought on Will Nightingale, Turner, Josh Reid and Eamonn Brophy but could not find a way back, albeit Sima did well to take the ball off Nightingale’s head yards from the Rangers goal.
Rangers will have harder days in the Highlands but they have to regroup quickly for their high-stakes trip to the Netherlands.
What’s next?
Sunday 3rd September 11:00am
Kick off 12:00pm
Rangers travel to Eindhoven for Wednesday night’s Champions League play off second-leg tie away to PSV.
They return to Scottish Premiership action at home to Celtic on September 3 with the first Old Firm derby of the season live on Sky Sports. Kick-off 12pm.
Ross County’s next league match is away to Kilmarnock on September 2. Kick-off 3pm.
