Rangers were completely stunned by Ross County in the Highlands as their Scottish Premiership title quest took a major dent. 

Jack Baldwin had put the Light Blues in front on 16 minutes as he deflected the ball beyond his own goalkeeper from James Tavernier's corner. A clever Fabio Silva flick on appeared to be heading towards John Souttar before the Ross County defender diverted it goal bound. 

The Staggies, who had never beaten Rangers in their history, were down at the break but certainly not out.

They emerged for the second half and responded in emphatic fashion to floor Rangers. Simon Murray delivered a deserved equaliser as he drilled the ball low beyond Jack Butland then George Harmon followed in to put Don Cowie’s Highlanders in the ascendancy. And they didn’t stop there either. 

Josh Sims added another and left Rangers soul searching. The Govan outfit had to respond and captain Tavernier done that from the penalty spot following a handball inside the box.

But it wasn’t enough. Here are the talking points from a pulsating, and potentially costly, encounter at the Global Energy Stadium...

Starting sloppy a real concern 

It was almost a repeat of last Sunday's horror start for Rangers after Harmon fired narrowly over the crossbar unmarked within a minute of the kick-off. It was a high-octane start from both teams. Ross County looked a threat on the counter-attack during the opening stages, with talisman Murray proving a real handful. 

Rangers did receive some luck when Baldwin scored that bizarre own goal, but even after that moment the hosts had more possession than they would be expected to. Sims cut inside and made Butland use his reflexes around the midway point of the first half. 

There were several misplaced passes from those in Rangers colours and it certainly provided County with some extra belief that they could cause their own threat.

They penetrated the Rangers box without a killer instinct until Murray slammed in his 18th goal of the season and stunned the title hopefuls. Then minutes later Harmon turned the score line around. Butland saved Murray’s initial effort, however John Lundstram switched off and didn’t anticipate the County full-back running in.

And a remarkable third goal came through Sims with 20 minutes remaining.

Rangers conceded three against Celtic as well, and the ease opponents are creating chances will need to be addressed if they still have ambitions of being crowned league champions come May.

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​Clement shuffles the pack 

Abdallah Sima, Borna Barisic, Todd Cantwell and Kieran Dowell were all unleashed from the start for this one, as the Rangers manager made four changes to his XI. 

The Belgian will likely have a busy schedule in mind, with the well-documented re-arranged match against Dundee to come on Wednesday before a huge Scottish Cup semi-final versus Heart of Midlothian on Sunday. So, he wanted to get minutes into as many of his squad as possible.

Of all the quartet that were afforded an opportunity, Sima was by far the most lively. The Senegal international tried to make things happen. He used his pace and trickery on a number of occasions - but very rarely were his counterparts operating at the same wavelength.

And it was no surprise Clement opted to substitute Barisic and Silva on 54 minutes, with resurgent Dujon Sterling and winger Rabbi Matondo introduced into the action.

Silva trudged off shaking his head at the decision, yet such alterations show Clement isn’t afraid to shuffle the pack when things evidently aren’t going to plan. Although, perhaps he will be regretting unsettling his side so much with his initial selection.

Rangers falter under-pressure

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers claimed on Saturday that this is when his team “come alive” and with the season climax within touching distance for both Glasgow rivals, it’s important to find a way to secure three points.

Rangers weren’t able to achieve that. And questions will rightly be asked why. Was it pressure? They haven’t won the title since the 2020-21 campaign, but were motoring in the right direction to change that this time out. 

It’s been firmly-established that Rangers’ double postponement with Dundee will have been bubbling away in the background, and that should go ahead at a third time of asking on Wednesday. 

Rangers could’ve leapfrogged Celtic in the Scottish Premiership table had that fixture been fulfilled when initially scheduled, but now following today’s result, they are four adrift, albeit having played a game less.