ONE down, two to go. The first box has been ticked for Rangers, now the challenges will get more difficult as the days go on this week.

Even at this early stage of the campaign, three fixtures away to Ross County and Alashkert and at home to Celtic had a hugely significant feel about them for Steven Gerrard’s side.

Come the end of the hat-trick, Rangers will hope to have their place in the Europa League group stages secured and a lead over their Old Firm rivals in the Premiership title race.

Had that position been offered at the start of the season, it would surely have been taken by many. The reality is very different, though, and that made this win over County all the more important.

Goals from Joe Aribo and Connor Goldson ensured it was all-but job done at half-time. After the break, Alfredo Morelos and Scott Arfield rounded off a deserved and relatively comfortable win.

It was not as straightforward as it should have been as Harry Clarke and Jordan White twice gave County hope. Thankfully for Rangers, it would be forlorn as the points were earned in the end.

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The last time Rangers fans made the trip up to Dingwall, it was the final occasion in which they would see their side on the road before the game, and the country, was shut down due to Covid.

Back in March 2020, Gerrard found himself under the spotlight. Rangers had capitulated in the title race for a second season and were destined to be left empty-handed once again.

On this occasion, the pressure was on Rangers once again. It was for very different reasons, though, as they sought to address a faltering start to their season and title defence.

Wins over Dunfermline and Alashkert may have been more encouraging on paper, but they were never going to undo the self-inflicted damage of the defeats to Malmo and Dundee United. Here, Rangers needed a performance as well as a result.

By half-time, they were well on course to achieving both those aims as a side that had just two changes – as Leon Balogun and Glen Kamara came in – from the midweek Europa League win started assertively and finished the half ahead.

The lead should have been greater, though. In truth, the game should have been won but a strike from Clarke would keep Malky Mackay’s side in it.

The Staggies were fortunate at that stage after offering almost nothing in an attacking sense. For large swathes of action, Rangers had them pinned back and were showing signs of being more like their usual selves.

The goal Rangers conceded will have frustrated Gerrard. He need not have been as forthright in his views in the dressing room as he was after the Alashkert clash, but his message would surely have been changed after Clarke reacted to a terrific Allan McGregor save, the keeper denying Alex Iacovitti, and scored on the rebound.

The goal that reduced County’s arrears was against the run of play. It was no surprise that the scoreboard was troubled for a third time, but it looked sure that it would have been Rangers that added to their tally rather than seen their lead halved.

The champions had started with more of a purpose and poise and were good value for their two goal advantage inside 20 minutes. At that stage, it was much more like it from Rangers.

The opener came from Aribo. Ianis Hagi and Morelos were involved in the quick, incisive build-up, but the finish had more finesse about it.

Aribo would slice inside Ben Paton and curl a wonderful effort beyond Ross Laidlaw and into the far corner. Of all the players on the park, Aribo was one of the few capable of such a moment of magic.

The second goal was more rudimentary but no less important for Rangers. It should have been the one that ended any doubts about the destination of the three points on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

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James Tavernier added another assist to his record this term and Goldson got his first goal of the campaign. He rose above Iacovitti and his header, down into the ground and high into the net, was too powerful and too well-placed as Laidlaw was beaten.

The keeper would save from Hagi at the front post and then deny Goldson with another headed effort. A strike from Morelos didn’t require the keeper’s intervention.

Rangers were dominant. It wasn’t a perfect away performance, but it was a marked improvement on their Tannadice no-show.

That made their narrow advantage at the break all the harder to stomach for Gerrard’s side. The third goal would still be enough to secure the three points, however.

Rangers didn’t have to wait long for it. Morelos should have scored when put through on goal by Steven Davis but the Colombian soon had his goal.

A clearance from Jordan Tillson only found Kamara. Instead of shooting, he squared the ball to Morelos just inside the area.

The shot was low and seemed relatively tame, but Laidlaw couldn’t get across quickly enough and the ball trundled into the bottom corner. Morelos had his third of the season and Rangers had their win.

Rangers have had a tendency of making life more difficult for themselves than it needed to be at times this term and that was the case here as Calvin Bassey was penalised for handball.

White’s conversion from the spot would ultimately matter little. There was no frantic finale to deny Rangers and Arfield slotted home after Laidlaw failed to hold a Morelos strike.

This was another mixed afternoon for Rangers. It was better, but not completely satisfactory for Gerrard.

Right now, improvement is all he can ask for. He will do so twice more before the champions get the chance to take stock this season.