As we gear up for Saturday 24th August, Rangers fans are once again ready to pack Hampden and back the bears as they face Ross County in what should be another thrilling Scottish Premiership encounter. Fresh from a solid 2-0 League Cup win against St Johnstone, the Gers will be looking to keep the momentum going and secure a crucial three points. Meanwhile, Ross County will be hoping to turn their fortunes around after a shock recent Cup defeat against Spartans. Here’s our in-depth look at the upcoming match.
Recent Form
Rangers: Steady Improvement at Hampden
Rangers come into this game with a mixed bag of recent results, but there’s definitely cause for optimism. The recent 2-0 win against St Johnstone was a confidence booster, with Cyriel Dessers and Ross McCausland both finding the net. It’s clear that while we’ve had some hiccups, the team is starting to find a bit of rhythm, especially at home (including Hampden temporarily) where we’re unbeaten in our last five league matches.
Ross County: Struggling to Make an Impact
Ross County, on the other hand, are coming off a frustrating 0-1 defeat to Spartans in the League Cup—a result that will have done little to lift their spirits. While their defence has been relatively solid, conceding only four goals in their last six matches, they have managed to net eight goals in the same period.
But here’s the kicker: Ross County haven’t won away from home in their last 18 league matches. That’s an absolutely horrendous run of form on the road, and it’s hard to see them breaking that streak against us at Hampden, where we’ve started well enough domestically.
Head-to-Head Record: Gers Dominant
Looking at our recent encounters with Ross County, it’s clear we’ve had the upper hand. We’ve won five of our last six meetings, with Ross County only managing one victory. Our last encounter was a 3-2 defeat which still stings a bit. However, we dominated that game with possession and created plenty of chances, but a combination of wasteful finishing and some lapses in concentration at the back cost us.
But let’s not forget that over these last six games, we’ve scored 14 goals to their five. We know how to break them down, and with the backing of the Rangers supporting faithful, there’s every reason to believe we’ll come out on top once again.
Team News
Rangers
Unfortunately, we’re still without Rıdvan Yılmaz due to a muscle strain, and Nicolas Raskin also remains unavailable due to injury. Despite these setbacks, Philippe Clement has plenty of depth to call upon. We’re likely to see a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Jack Butland between the sticks, James Tavernier and John Souttar anchoring the defence, and Cyriel Dessers leading the line. The likes of Tom Lawrence and Rabbi Matondo will be crucial in providing the creative spark we need to break down what’s likely to be a stubborn Ross County defence.
Ross County
Ross County are expected to set up in a 4-3-1-2 formation, with Ross Laidlaw in goal and a backline that includes Michee Efete and George Harmon. In midfield, Scott Allardice and Connor Randall will try to control the tempo, while up front, Eamonn Brophy and Ronan Hale will be their main attacking threats. However, given their poor away form, it’s hard to see them causing too many problems for our defence.
Prediction
Let’s be honest—this is a game we should be winning, and winning well. Ross County’s dreadful away form speaks for itself, and while they might put up a fight, we have the quality to break them down and secure the three points. I’m backing the boys to put on a strong display and get the job done.
If you’re interested in exploring other betting markets beyond just the match result, it’s worth exploring Scottish footy tips from expert tipsters for the over/under market, both teams to score, correct score predictions, cards, corners, and more.
How to Watch the Game
For those who can’t make it to Hampden, don’t worry—you won’t miss a second of the action. The game will be broadcast live on Rangers TV, so make sure to tune in and cheer on the team from wherever you are. If you're looking to stream online, services like Bet365 for those with active accounts are good options. Just be sure to check the kick-off time so you’re ready when the action begins.