Manager Steven Gerrard afforded Joe Aribo and Leon Balogun starting shirts at the Global Energy Stadium, and he was repaid bountifully as Rangers handed their hosts Ross County a 4-0 thrashing on Sunday afternoon.
Centre-half Balogun was impressive at the heart of the defence as the Gers secured yet another clean sheet to underline their title aspirations.
Compatriot Aribo was equally magnificent at the middle of the park as goals from Kemar Roofe, James Tavernier, Jermain Defoe, and a Callum Morris own goal gave Gerrard’s men their 14th league win in 16 games.
Fresh from an incredible 3-2 comeback win over Standard Liege in the Europa League, the Blues got down to business very quickly against Stuart Kettlewell’s side.
Roofe opened the scoring just before the half-hour mark and Tavernier doubled the advantage ten minutes after the restart.
Aribo was replaced in the 66th-minute of the encounter, only for Morris to put through his own goal moments later.
Former Tottenham striker Defoe then added some gloss to the result with a cute finish deep into stoppage time.
With the victory, Rangers go 14 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership with champions Celtic, trailing in second place, having three games in hand.
The Gers are undefeated so far this term, boasting the best attack and defence in Scotland with 45 goals scored and a meagre three conceded in 16 matches.
This post was last modified on December 7, 2020 5:48 am