Steven Gerrard dubbed Ryan Kent’s goal as “world class” as Rangers came from behind to sweep aside Ross County and maintain their four-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

But Joe Aribo and Ryan Kent had Rangers ahead by the break, Juninho Bacuna fired the third and an Alex Iacovitti own goal secured a home victory.

Rangers manager Gerrard said Kent had come back from injury “in a top place”.

“You see the difference he made from the bench in midweek,” he told Rangers TV. “He looked dangerous but really sharp and I thought he’s built on that today.

“It was a strong 60 minutes and the goal is world class, without a shadow of a doubt.”

Rangers conceded the opening goal for the fifth game running but secured a win that leaves County four points adrift of Dundee at the foot of the table but with a game in hand.

The Dingwall side have now lost 11 games in a row to Rangers, conceding 17 goals in their latest four meetings.

Malky Mackay’s side arrived at Ibrox buoyed by a 5-0 thumping of Dundee at Dens Park in their most recent outing – a win that ended a run of four straight defeats and 10 without a victory.

They would have been dreaming of a first-ever win over their hosts in 17 meetings when they raced into a shock lead.

A fine through ball from Regan Charles-Cook found Hungbo ghosting in behind static centre-half Leon Balogun to pass through the legs of advancing goalkeeper Allan McGregor for the on-loan Watford winger’s second goal in two games.

Rangers continued to look uncertain in defence, but their firepower up front ensured they were not behind for long as captain James Tavernier’s corner found midfielder Aribo’s head at the near post.

Having returned from injury as a midweek substitute in the 1-1 draw with Brondby, Kent responded to being handed a start by turning inside Charles-Cook before sending a stunning looping 25-yard drive over the head of goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer.

The game was effectively ended as a contest when midfielder Bacuna powered in the third from just outside the penalty box four minutes into the second half.

Tavernier cemented his place as the Premiership’s top chance creator as the right-back’s low cross was turned past his own goalkeeper by centre-half Iacovitti to take the Rangers captain’s assists total for the season to nine.

There was still time for County to emphasise Rangers’ vulnerability at the back as substitute White fired low past McGregor.

Man of the match – Ryan Kent

What did we learn?

Rangers manager Gerrard will remain frustrated by his side’s slow starts and a defence that continues to look less assured than last season.

However, with the out-of-sorts Alfredo Morelos dropped and left unused on the bench, his side have shown they can still score plenty of goals without their striker talisman – and remain the side to beat despite falling short of their title-winning form.

Their credentials received another boost with the return from injury of Ryan Jack, the Scotland midfielder’s first appearance since February as a substitute.

County manager Malky Mackay started without a recognised striker by replacing White with on-loan Coventry City midfielder Jack Burroughs and his side failed to build on that early lead and put any pressure on the home side.

White came on for the last 15 minutes to score, and the visitors will be left wondering what if he had been on sooner.

What they said

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard: “Very pleased. We looked really mobile and dangerous, which is great.

“Ten goals in two league games – we’ve just got to stop conceding those sloppy goals and get back to clean sheets and being tough to play against. Because, if we do, and keep showing the quality going forward, it will be difficult to stop.”

Ross County manager Malky Mackay: “I am frustrated with at least a couple of the goals.

“Proud of them that we kept going and kept trying to play because that was the way to go and play against them and we got a good second goal.”

What’s next?

Rangers face Hibernian in the Scottish League Cup semi-final on 21 November (16:00 GMT) and take on Sparta Prague in the Europa League before a return to league action against Livingston, while County do not play again until their re-arranged league game at home to Hibs on 24 November (19:45).

Sourced From BBC