Eagles trio Joe Aribo, Carly Bassey and Leon Balogun were all on duty Wednesday as Rangers took Ross County to the cleaners in their last home game of the season. The Nigerians and their Rangers teammates had an impressive run in front of 48,474 spectators at the Ibrox firing four goals past the visitors who managed to grab a consolation goal for their effort.
Goals from Scott Wright, James Tavernier, Fasion Sakala Jr and Amad Diallo sealed the win; the Gers have the Europa League final next Wednesday
On a night when Old Firm rivals Celtic officially wrestled the cinch Premiership title back with a 1-1 draw against Dundee United at Tannadice, the Light Blues kept things ticking along towards Seville.
fashion sakala on target as Rangers hit Ross County 4-1
Attacker Scott Wright opened the scoring in the 13th minute before skipper James Tavernier won and converted a penalty in the 28th minute.
Although Staggies substitute Jordan White reduced the deficit in the 72nd minute with a terrific finish, Rangers substitutes Fashion Sakala and Amad Diallo struck late on.
While there remains one final league match versus Scottish Cup final opponents Hearts at Tynecastle on Saturday, all the Rangers focus is on the Europa League final against Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt next Wednesday night before they face the Jambos in the Hampden Park showpiece three days later.
Rangers had long since resigned themselves to losing their title but questions about that are for another day. For the next seven days, it is all about the prospect of European glory.
After making a host of changes for the home win against Dundee United on Sunday, Rangers boss Giovanni Van Bronckhorst returned to a very strong line-up.
Allan McGregor, Calvin Bassey, Glen Kamara, John Lundstram, Joe Aribo playing as a false nine again and Ryan Kent returned while 18-year-old midfielder Alex Lowry made his second start.
County boss Malky Mackay made four changes, one being top-scorer Regan Charles-Cook, as Dominic Samuel, Joseph Hungbo, Jack Burroughs and Keith Watson came into the visiting side who spent most of the game on the back foot.
Leon Balogun and Diallo replaced Barisic and Aribo for the start of the second half and in the 52nd minute Balogun’s header from Tavernier’s deep free-kick rebounded off the post with the Highlanders escaping punishment.
Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst hailed his boys for the show even as he reasoned that they had chances to net more goals.
