James Tavernier believes Rangers’ desire and determination was pivotal to their performance on Sunday as they saw off the challenge of Ross County.
The Gers earned a 3-1 win against Jim McIntyre’s men despite being away from home, thanks to a brace from Alfredo Morelos and a late striker from Mexico international Eduardo Herrera.
Former Newcastle United defender Tavernier claimed on his personal Twitter account that the Gers showed “great character” to earn all three points, before stating that the “fans were amazing”.
Great 3 points before the international break!! Showed great character towards the end to finish off the game.. Fans were amazing ????????? pic.twitter.com/og3zuHF6GN
— James Tavernier (@James_Tavernier) August 27, 2017
Colombian summer signing Morelos scored his fourth and fifth goals in just his sixth Rangers appearance in the first half of the match, with Tavernier laying on an inch-perfect assist for the striker’s first.
Thomas Mikkelsen got one back for Ross County on the hour mark, setting up a nervy finish to the match but Herrera slotted home Rangers’ third after good work from Lee Wallace on the left flank.
The Gers now have time to recover from a breathless start to the 2017-18 campaign, with the international break taking precedence over club football until September 9 when the Light Blues play host to Dundee.
OPINION
Pedro Caixinha’s side are beginning to show just what they are capable of, becoming more and more threatening in the final third as well as showing a defensive rigidity due to the burgeoning relationship between Bruno Alves and Fabio Cardoso. The loss in the Europa League seems long behind Caixinha and Rangers, and doubts over the Portuguese manager’s future are well in the past. The Gers must use the win against Ross County as a springboard for momentum, with the September 9 clash against Dundee a must-win game if they are to keep the heat on the likes of Aberdeen and Celtic. But things are beginning to look positive for Caixinha’s side, as the new signings turn on the style.