Rangers ripped apart by Billy Dodds on BBC Sportscene after shock loss to Ross County

Billy Dodds insists no Rangers player escapes blame for the loss to Ross County, but felt the Gers were particularly bad defensively.

Philippe Clement’s side fell to a shock 3-2 defeat in Sunday’s (14 April) Scottish Premiership contest in Dingwall as their title hopes took a blow.

Rangers went into the interval a goal ahead, but they were never at their best and failed to heed the warning signs in a terrible second half.

Speaking on BBC Scotland’s Sportscene [14 April, 24m 9s], Dodds said: “Defensively, they were really poor.

“When you get them in at half-time, Clement surely would have been saying we’ve had a free warning there.

“They were nowhere near it in the second half, either, and Ross County deservedly got the three points.

“They looked shaky at the back, nervous at times. It’s a realisation of where they are in this title race – the nerves can get to you.

“In midfield they weren’t winning second balls. Up top they created chances but didn’t look like scoring – it took an own goal. They weren’t at it all other the pitch.”

Rangers lose ground on Celtic in Scottish Premiership title race

Rangers had gone 24 games unbeaten against Ross County – their longest streak against an opponent without losing – prior to this shock loss.

This was supposed to be a banker ahead of the midweek trip to Dundee – assuming it goes ahead – but that was emphatically not the case.

Full credit to Ross County because they got at Rangers and blew them away with three goals in the second half.

Defeats happen from time to time, which is fair enough, but the manner of this loss and the timing of it makes it particularly hard to take.

Rangers Philippe Clement
Rangers manager Philippe Clement

What must be said in all this, though, is that the Gers’ title hopes are still technically in their own hands.

If they are to pip Celtic to the title, it is now a case of winning every remaining match, including the trip to Parkhead.

On the basis of this most recent display, there is no chance of that happening, but Clement has already proved he is capable of getting the club out of a rut. Let’s hope for more of the same.

In other Rangers news, Stan Collymore trolled the Gers on social media shortly after their loss to Ross County.

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