Our prediction for this Scottish Premiership match:
Ross County
Match Time & Date:
26/08/2023
13:30
Prediction: 1-3
Rangers
After playing out a thrilling 2-2 draw with PSV in the Champions League qualifiers, Rangers will look to record their second league win of the season when they face Ross County at Global Energy Stadium. The Gers are already three points behind league leaders Celtic, meaning that Saturday’s clash is of big importance for the visiting side. Both Steven Davis and Ridvan Yilmaz are sidelined with injuries, while talented Wales forward Rabbi Matondo is pushing for a start after scoring as a substitute in the midweek draw.
The Staggies, meanwhile, survived Airdrieonians in the League Cup last 16, but they will have a much bigger fish to fry against Rangers, who are eager to put an end to Celtic’s dominance in the Scotland Premiership. Ross County are on a four-game losing run in meetings with Rangers, and even though Ben Paton is the only absentee in the home team, we are going to bet on the title-chasing capital club.
Highlighted Player (Jon McLaughlin):
Jon McLaughlin is a goalkeeper who plays for Sunderland. The 188-cm-tall shoot-stopper played for non-League sides Harrogate Railway Athletic and Harrogate Town in the past, but in 2008 he joined Bradford City. After spending six years at Valley Parade, McLaughlin signed a contract with Burton Albion and he has been playing for the Pirelli Stadium outfit ever since.
Jon McLaughlin made 45 appearances for Burton Albion in both 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 seasons and he has established his self as the team’s first-choice goalkeeper. He was producing scintillating displays for Burton in the 2015/2016 League One campaign and, no doubt, he helped the team secure promotion to the Championship.
Jon McLaughlin was born on 9 September, 1987 in Edinburgh, but he has yet to make his debut for the Scotland national team. Speaking of his honours, the goalkeeper won the Football League Two play-offs with Bradford City in the 2012/2013 season.
Highlighted Team (Ross County):
Founded back in 1929, Ross County are professional football club that compete in the Scotland Premier League. The Staggies welcome their rivals at Victoria Park, the stadium which can accommodate up to 6,541 (all-seated) people. Ross County have a bitter rivalry with fellow Highlanders Inverness Caledonian, with the two teams facing each other in Highland derby.
The Staggies recorded their biggest win against St Cuthbert Wanderers (11-0) in the 1993/94 Scottish Cup round 1, whereas their biggest loss came in the third round of the 1961/62 Scottish Cup campaign, with the team suffered a 7-0 defeat to Kilmarnock. Michael Gardyne, who scored 71 goals in 392 appearances for Ross County, is leading the club’s all-time goal-scoring chart.
Ross County have never won the Scottish Premier League trophy, but they did well to make it to the Scottish Cup final in the 2009/10 season. The Staggies were beaten by Dundee United (0-3) in the title game at Hampden Park, Glasgow.
