Rangers vs Ross County match preview: Build on last week

Morning all, it's a lovely sunny day as I'm writing this, a good omen for the football I hope. Rangers return to Hampden once again to play Ross County. With a chance for Rangers to get 2 wins in a row in all competitions for the first time this season.

Momentum is important in football, and it's something we could really do with. There were some promising signs going forward last week, as I mentioned in my write-up. But the biggest discussion point amongst fans was an important one, can we keep it up?

I would be really pleased if we started with a similar line-up to last week. Dio at 10, Barron in for Dowell and Dessers in for Danilo. We might actually see something similar in the style of play which would be a first this season. We were hardly 1950s Real Madrid last week, but we can't turn our nose up at any kind of positive play at the moment.

On the opponents, Ross County started the season well, winning all their league cup group games. This great form has been followed by 2 draws in the league, and defeat to League Two side Spartans FC in the cup. They aren't the same team they were last season, they've lost their best player in Yan Dhanda to Hearts, and Simon Murray to Dundee. We should be looking at this game as a great chance to score a few goals and get the confidence up in the team.

Connor Barron did the press conference this week, and he was effusive about his time at the club so far. He was happy to discuss the prospect of playing for Scotland in the upcoming friendlies at the next international break. And was keen to highlight how his relationship with Diomande on the pitch is growing.

It's widely agreed across the Rangers support that Barron has been the main bright spark this season, so it's good to hear how hungry he is to work hard and continue to improve. I do like him and I thought he made a real impact when he came on last week, would be good to see some reinforcements to support him in midfield, but more on that further down.

Clement had some positive injury news to give us, Cortes will be back in training next week, Balogun is back although Propper is a doubt for today's game, Raskin is back in training for the first time and Scott Wright is out with a small injury.

The other main bit of news is that Ibrox may be back in working order ahead of schedule (I'm aware it's actually 3 months behind schedule, but please allow me some positivity). I don't think the impact of being back in familiar surroundings can be underestimated, the fans have struggled to connect with the players given the literal chasm between the stands and the pitch. Hopefully we bring some good form with us to Ibrox and then it's only up from there, sky's the limit, baby.

Now to the transfer rumour mill, which has been a-turning non stop this last week. There were links to a loan move for Croatian left-back Domagoj Bradaric, perhaps a sign that Clement views Jefte's future higher up the pitch. Josip Brekalo, the winger/number 10 formerly of Wolfsburg currently plying his trade at Fiorentina. Tiago Gouveia of SL Benfica, a 23-year-old winger who would allegedly be available for around £3m. Forward Abu Kamara, another Norwich player, was linked after he requested a transfer at his current club.

The most surprising and seemingly concrete of these links was that to Kaiky Fernandes, UD Almeria centre back, a young promising Brazilian. Apparently we had a loan bid of 750k with an option £7m rejected. I, like most, was surprised to learn we had that much money lying around, let alone enough to offer for one player.

It did make me think of playing Football Manager and putting a ridiculously complicated structure on a transfer offer for someone out of your budget in the hopes the selling club wouldn't realise you had no money and reject it out of hand.

However, given real life is very much unlike Football Manager, it's clear we have some capitol and are keen to reinforce the team in some key positions. I think this week could be very interesting. I will write about any moves we make, and I plan to release a transfer roundup once the window closes.

In terms of outgoings, there were more links for Rabbi Matondo, this time to Blackburn Rovers. But the big news, was that apparently Ben Davies to Birmingham City on a loan with option deal is effectively signed, sealed and delivered. In memory of his time here, I've included a highlight reel of his best moments at Rangers.

All the best, Ben. That's all for today, enjoy the game if you're going and I'll hopefully be rounding up a delightful Rangers performance tomorrow.