Glasgow Rangers put in another dreadful performance on Sunday up in Dingwall, against a stuffy Ross County defensive side who played well.
James Tavernier, Ryan Jack and Jermain Defoe were all out through injury, so Gers manager Steven Gerrard did not have his full squad to choose from.
It was certainly a huge relief for the Rangers manager when Ryan Kent’s deflected 77th minute winner earned the Light Blues all three points.
Just when the media were thinking of another Rangers crisis, Kent found the net to the jubilation of the travelling supporters.
The Gers were nervous throughout and it was another error-strewn side – a shadow of Gerrard’s team before the winter shut-down.
Last October, Rangers won 4-0 in Dingwall with two goals each from Ryan Jack and Alfredo Morelos.
Rangers had Allan McGregor to thank for keeping them from falling behind before Kent’s shot flew past the outstretched arms of the County keeper.
Don Cowie intercepted a poor pass from Joe Aribo to set up Billy McKay, whose shot rocketed off the legs of Rangers best player – McGregor.
After three domestic games without a win, it was a welcome boost for the players, before Thursday’s Europa League tie against Bayer Leverkusen.
The three points moved Rangers to 13 points behind Celtic, who they play at Ibrox next Sunday, and if the Gers win it reduces the lead to 10 points.
In his last 10 matches, Morelos hasn’t scored a goal and that’s the biggest problem for Rangers, who are struggling to win games at the moment.
His last goal was in a SPFL game against Kilmarnock on Boxing Day and Rangers need him back to top form against Leverkusen and Celtic.
Ianis Hagi was replaced by Florian Kamberi, then Jordan Jones came on for the final 13 minutes for a rare cameo appearance and looked good.
Jones has given himself an excellent chance of being involved this week by looking lively and willing to drive forward and take people on at pace.
Rangers fans are hoping there are more opportunities to come from the Northern Ireland wide-man.
In 85 minutes Nikola Katic was brought on to secure the Rangers win by helping his teammates gain the necessary shutout.
Kamberi and Jones could have sealed the win, but Ross County defended well and Kent’s goal was enough to clinch the important points.
With Rangers toiling and McGregor’s saves denying McKay and Mullin, it proved crucial in the end, that the Gers gained another SPFL away win.
