Don Cowie not expecting injury-hit Rangers to be hindered by European exploits

Rangers have a string of players missing, particularly in defence ahead of Sunday's clash at Ibrox.

PA Sport

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Ross County boss Don Cowie is not counting on injury-hit Rangers being hindered by the effects of their European exploits when the two sides meet at Ibrox on Sunday.

Gers have a string of players missing, particularly in defence, but they still managed to defeat Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 on Thursday to finish in the top eight of the Europa League and progress to the last 16.

Cowie, who welcomes Nohan Kenneh and Kacper Lopata back into his squad for the trip to Glasgow, is also wary of the fact Philippe Clement’s side have taken 34 points from a possible 36 at Ibrox this term.

“It’s Rangers, they have a big squad,” said the Staggies boss. “I would imagine they planned to be in Europe at this stage, so they have a squad with the capability of fighting on all fronts.

“It’s a real challenge for us, despite them playing on Thursday.

“They have the best home record in the country so it shows the size of the challenge we’ve got.”

County are 10th in the Premiership and have failed to win any of their last three matches – all at home – but they are buoyed by having defeated Dundee, Aberdeen and Kilmarnock in their last three away matches.

“The way I’m looking at it is we have to make it four wins on the trot away from home,” said Cowie. “That has to be the belief we hold going into the game.”