Ross County v Rangers preview: Josh Windass sidelined for Pedro Caixinha's side
Friday 25 August 2017 14:37, UK
Rangers are set to be without Josh Windass as they head to Ross County looking to get back to winning ways in the Scottish Premiership.
Windass looks likely to miss Sunday's trip to Dingwall after suffering a rib injury in last weekend's goalless draw with Hearts so fellow winger Aaron Nemane, who has joined on loan from Manchester City, may be in the frame for a swift introduction.
Young striker Ryan Hardie is pushing for another chance after coming off the bench last time out, while Mexican midfielder Carlos Pena, the summer arrival yet to start a league game as he builds his fitness, could get an extended run-out.
Rangers are already five points adrift of the early pace-setters just three games into the season and were booed off after their Jambos stalemate but boss Pedro Caixinha spoke bullishly ahead of the clash, drawing inspiration from his home county.
He said: "I always felt the support of the fans in the stadium. What I need to tell you, and it's a Portuguese saying: 'The dogs bark and the caravan keeps going'.
"That means that we are focused in our work. We are all together in the same direction."
After an opening-weekend day win at Dundee, County - who will be without the suspended Kenny van der Weg - have fallen to consecutive defeats against Aberdeen and Motherwell but are only a point behind their visitors.
"It is a great game to try and bounce back from," boss Jim McIntyre told the North Star: "A full house at home is exactly the type of game you want to be playing. Rangers will be tough opposition.
"There has been a lot of turnover, so it will be a completely different side to last season as well as a new manager with new ideas.
"We need a top performance. You need that high level of performance against the best teams, but also to be clinical when the opportunities come your way.
"Rangers have a number of players that could get them goals. We know we will be up against a team with good players, so we have to ensure we need to bring that high level of performance to the game."
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Ross County are yet to beat Rangers in any of their six meetings in all competitions (D3 L3), although they drew all three encounters in the Scottish Premiership last season.
Rangers have won three of their four away fixtures against Ross County (D1), albeit their last victory over them came in the League Cup in November 2001.
The Staggies have lost two consecutive Scottish Premiership matches, ending a run of nine unbeaten (W6 D3) prior to that. They haven't lost three league games in a row since November 2015.
Rangers are on a run of four consecutive wins on the road in the league and haven't lost on their travels since February (W4 D2). It is their best unbeaten run away from home in the top flight since they won 14 games consecutively between March and October 2011.
Ross County forward Craig Curran has five goals in seven games in all competitions so far this campaign, as many as he scored in his final 35 games of last season.
Rangers defender James Tavernier has scored as many goals in four domestic league and cup appearances this season as he achieved in 44 appearances last season (2).
