Three things to take away from Ross County's final home match of 2022 against Rangers
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As far as the Global Energy Stadium is concerned, the curtain has been drawn on 2022.
Ross County's last home match of the calendar year was a 1–0 defeat to Rangers, with John Lundstram's first-half strike proving to be the difference between the sides in Dingwall.
There were encouraging signs for the Staggies though, a far cry from the 4–0 defeat at Ibrox back at the end of August, so here are three things to take away from County's most recent outing with post-match reaction from manager Malky Mackay and Owura Edwards.
Costly misses
Much like last week, Ross County had chances to find the back of the net that could have changed the course of the game.
George Harmon may still be wondering how he didn't convert at the back post with a header from just a couple of yards out, while Owura Edwards – a nuisance to the Rangers defence all evening – sent a one-on-one opportunity just past the post.
With the game goalless at that stage, the Staggies could have claimed the upper hand and put the Glasgow giants on the back foot.
Similarly, against St Johnstone County could have extended their lead – only for a second half red card to turn the game on its head – and on both occasions they have come away empty-handed.
Plenty of focus over the last few years has been on County's defensive record, but they need to start taking these chances if they are going to put points on the board and replicate last season's surge up the table towards the end of the campaign.
Manager Malky Mackay's thoughts: "The lads are doing everything they can. They're getting into great positions, and if we weren't creating chances I'd worry – but some of our play was terrific.
"We were pushing right to the end, and we left ourselves a little bit vulnerable at the back with five or 10 minutes to go, but our support wouldn't have wanted us sitting back when it was 1–0.
"All it takes it one turn and a strike when the ball is in their box, but I can't be more proud of the way our guys are attacking this league. If we keep playing like that, we'll be okay."
Risk v reward
It was notable that County's defence stayed narrow – understandable when the likes of Ryan Kent and Malik Tillman are capable of running right through the middle of the pitch to goal.
I could also see the logic of Connor Randall keeping a close eye on Kent, who started on the left flank before drifting inside with regularity.
Again, it makes complete sense that Owura Edwards was told to stay high on the pitch to give County the best chance to break forward quickly on the counter, but that meant space opened up out wide for Rangers' left wing back Adam Devine to burst into.
More often that not in the first half, when Rangers went forward Devine was the outlet, and that was clearly a risk Malky Mackay was willing to take – and there's no doubting it was a risk.
Edwards does not look all that comfortable with the defensive side of the game, and Mackay could regularly be heard barking instructions on which positions he should be taking up.
I'm tempted to applaud the County boss for taking something of a gamble against a team like Rangers though, and most other teams do not have the same quality going forward so it will be interesting to see if a similar strategy is used over the coming weeks.
Owura Edwards' thoughts: "It's a new role for me, being a part of that backline. I've never dropped that deep in my career yet, but it makes us more solid as a team.
"That's what the gaffer wants, and I'm doing what the gaffer wants.
"I prefer to be higher up the pitch and creating goalscoring opportunity, and contributing to goals. That's my game, but for the team I have to do what the manager says and we'll get results from that."
A massive week ahead
Results elsewhere mean County have slipped back into the relegation play-off place in the Premiership.
There may not be too much festive cheer looking at the standings then, but the Staggies have an opportunity to get back on track on Wednesday when they travel to the only side below them in the table – Dundee United.
Three points is an absolute must even with the standings being fairly close, because the longer County are down in a dog fight, the more difficult it will be for them to find a way back to where they really want to be.
Owura Edwards' thoughts: "We're not panicking. We just need to get there and focus on our performance.
"That's what it's all about, creating more chances as a team and adding on those layers.
"As a team, we just need to keep working it well and getting into those areas where me and other players can hurt the opposition. We'll get there."
