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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Gavin Berry

3 talking points as Rangers denied by Ross County in dramatic Dingwall six-goal thriller

Rangers blew two points in the Scottish Premiership title race as Ross County snatched an equaliser deep into injury on a dramatic day in Dingwall.

Matthew Wright picked the perfect time to score his first Staggies goal as he came off the bench to secure a point in a six-goal thriller.

Connor Goldson looked to have won it for the Light Blues with a header 18 minutes from time but Wright levelled at the death with seven minutes of injury time added following treatment for Ashley Maynard-Brewer.

It was an action packed game which started with a dream opener for debutant Amad Diallo. The on-loan Manchester United man - who went off injured in the second half and could be a derby doubt - scored after just four minutes.

However, a blunder by Allan McGregor handed Jordan White an equaliser and then Regan Charles-Cook completed a remarkable turnaround when he capitalised on poor defensive play to score.

The Staggies were on course for a first ever win over Gers but skipper James Tavernier levelled early in the second half and Goldson headed home with 18 minutes left which sparked wild scenes but County had the final say.

(PA)

Conditions were awful due to Storm Malik but this game got the go ahead and what a treat they served up.

Diallo was handed a quickfire debut by Van Bronckhorst and took just four minutes to repay the Ibrox boss for throwing him straight into the action.

And it was a goal made in Africa as Joe Aribo, on his early return from AFCON with Nigeria, made a brilliant run and ball across goal for the youngster to tap home.

The teen, who could eventually cost Manchester United £40 million, won’t have many easier finishes but it was the perfect start to get him off and running.

But if he thought Scottish football was going to be a walk in the park then moments later he was given a glimpse into what to expect as he was on the end of a crunching Jake Vokins challenged which earned the Southampton loan man a booking.

Staggies skipper Jack Baldwin followed him into the book for a lunge on Borna Barisic but there might have been an argument for a red card as he caught the Croatian late at a corner.

The visitors started brightly despite testing conditions and Scott Arfield forced Maynard-Brewer into a save after a great run from Ryan Kent.

But if the Ross County keeper showed a safe pair of hands for that chance then that was in complete contrast to his opposite number as the Staggies levelled.

McGregor failed to deal with a Joseph Hungbo ball as he spilled it straight at the feet of White who netted.

It went from bad to worse as more defensive errors then gifted County another goal to complete a stunning turnaround.

Joe Aribo takes on Jordan Tillson (SNS Group)

First of all Connor Goldson sent a defensive clearance high into the air, Borna Barisic’s attempted header then went straight to White.

And when the Staggies striker knocked it on Calvin Bassey took a fresh air swipe at the ball and that allowed Charles-Cook who made no mistake with the finish.

Gers were left stunned by that but wasted no time in getting back level early in the second half as they equalised just four minutes after the break.

Diallo played his part with a shot which Maynard-Brewer could only parry and Kent kept it alive as he knocked back into the danger area and Tavernier was on hand to level.

And the visitors regained the lead in a topsy-turvy game as these sides served up another dramatic encounter.

Barisic floated in a cross which was cleared to Arfield and his shot spun high into the air and Goldson got on the end of it to head home.

There should have been more to come as Keith Watson blew a glorious chance to level as he sent a free header wide from a corner before fellow substitute Kemar Roofe - on for Cedric Itten - smacked the post with a lovely effort.

But County did get that late goal as a corner was swung in and again McGregor wasn't too clever as he failed to gather and it fell to Wright who smashed home.

Here’s three points from Dingwall

Record equalled but questions for Gio

Giovanni van Bronckhorst became the first Rangers manager since Alex McLeish to go unbeaten in his first 13 games.

But that doesn’t tell the entire story and there have been a few questions asked since the winter break.

Gers didn’t perform well in wins away to Hibs and at home to Dundee United but three points often papers over issues.

Now, ahead of his first Old Firm derby as manager he has make sure he gets his big decisions right.

Alex Lowry had been the bright spark in the last couple of games but dropped to the bench as did Fashion Sakala who was also lively against Stirling and Livingston.

Cedric Itten has failed to impress since returning from loan and surely that is the Swiss striker’s last chance as a leading man.

Birthday boy gives out gifts

McGregor will blow out the candles on his 40th birthday cake on Monday but he probably won’t feel like celebrating.

The veteran shot-stopper is usually so reliable and that’s what made his huge error that handed County a lifeline even worse.

Joseph Hungbo’s cross should have been meat and drink for McGregor but he inexplicably dropped it into Jordan White’s path.

Rangers keeper Allan McGregor (SNS Group)

On a day when conditions were horrendous - the entire Highland League was wiped out - he could have been forgiven but the wind wasn’t to blame on this occasion.

McGregor has rescued Rangers so many times and this is one he’ll want to forget quickly especially coming it such a huge moment and he didn't look too clever at County's leveller at the death.

Ross County revival

When the Staggies had just three points and were winless in their first 10 Scottish Premiership games it looked bleak for them.

They had just lost to a fifth minute injury time sickener against Livingston as they suffered a psychological blow.

New boss Malky Mackay was adamant they were on the right track but there can’t have been many who were so confident

However, a thumping 5-0 win against Dundee followed and Mackay has put together an impressive side.

They only lost to an injury time goal against Celtic in Dingwall and now this against the other half of the Old Firm.

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