Callum O'Connell

Sat 26 August 2023 14:23, UK

Rangers won all three points comfortably from their visit to Dingwall as they beat Ross County 2-0 in the Scottish Premiership clash on Saturday [26 August].

Kemar Roofe gave Rangers the lead with a fantastically well-taken goal from a Borna Barisic corner, while James Tavernier scored an absolute beauty into the top corner to give the Glasgow side a comfortable victory.

Cyriel Dessers had a disappointing game again, missing three big chances with his head when he would have been expected to score.

Ibrox News has rated the players out of 10 below…

Jack Butland – 7

Butland didn’t have much to do as Ross County struggled to cause Rangers any issues. Was confident in everything he did have to do, commanding his area well and making a top save to tip a vicious strike from Josh Simms over the bar.

James Tavernier – 8

The Rangers captain had a very good game and scored a stunning goal to put his side two ahead. As Ian Crocker put it on Sky Sports’ commentary: that was Tavernier “at his very best.” He opened up his body and whipped the ball dipping into the top left corner leaving the crowd and commentators stunned.

Connor Goldson – 6

Much like his goalkeeper, Goldson didn’t have much to do in the game. He struggled slightly against the physicality of Simon Murray but drew plenty of niggly fouls to ease any pressure he may have been under.

John Souttar – 6

The defender looked shakey in possession early on in the game, losing the ball in possession both dribbling and passing, but grew into the game as he asserted his physical dominance all over the pitch, particularly in the air.

Borna Barisic – 8

Delivered a good corner towards the back post for Roofe’s goal which was clearly something Rangers had worked on on the training ground. Showed good defensive awareness to stop several dangerous balls, and caused plenty of trouble at the other end. Maybe he can hit a return to his form of old?

Nicolas Raskin – 6

The midfielder looked good and was comfortable in possession but failed to make any tangible impact on the game despite helping Rangers in possession with his confidence and calmness on the ball.

John Lundstram – 7

Broke up play very well in midfield to stop County from getting any real control in possession, but didn’t have too much to do overall. An understated but impressive performance from the midfielder.

Todd Cantwell – 5

Wasn’t able to create as many chances as he probably could have, but looked good on the ball and had the better of his man throughout the game. Showed a good understanding with his new teammates in some intricate play around the box before coming off for Tom Lawrence, hopefully allowing him to be better in midweek at PSV.

Sam Lammers – 6

Looked good on the ball and showed some great link-up play with his fellow attackers – Cantwell and Roofe in particular. Had an effort tipped over the bar before it could dip into the top corner, but had limited impact up top before he was brought off after an hour.

Cyriel Dessers – 4

The striker had a header saved early on, but he should have scored as he hit it right at the feet of the goalkeeper. He then had to score from the resulting corner but put his header over the bar from six yards out. This was repeated in the second half as he missed another. Simply not good enough in front of goal.

Kemar Roofe – 8

Showed great strength to hold off the defender and get his foot to the ball to turn it in at the back post for his goal. Also put in a lovely cross to create an early chance for Dessers, and caused problems with his movement. Came off after an hour to manage his fitness after stealing the headlines.

Subs

Abdallah Sima – 7

Rabi Matondo – 7

Tom Lawrence – 4

Danilo – 6

Ryan Jack – N/A

In other Rangers news, Chris Sutton has made an ‘astonishing’ Rangers Champions League claim.