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The Ross County U-18 side went out of the Scottish Youth Cup competition, but did so with some credit in their tie in Glasgow.
In the first half County scarcely got a chance to admire the impressive surroundings as Rangers took hold of the game and were 2-0 up at the break.
Although the Glasgow club had most of the play, the County lads possibly felt that both the goals could have been prevented.
Two goals down at half time, and almost out of the cup, it was decided that the best approach for the second half would be to just go for it. The formation was re-structured a couple of times during the second period and it eventually settled to a 3-4-3. The effect was a much more confident 45 minutes for County in which they were in control for long spells.
Half chances were created, but not taken as the second half wore on. With 10 minutes to go, County got the goal their play deserved when defender Michael BOLOCHOWECKYJ fired the ball home following a corner kick.
The final few minutes of the game saw Rangers content to hold on to their lead, while County came so close to levelling the scores when Darren Jack's shot was superbly saved by the Rangers' 'keeper.
County fielded 16-year-old defender Calum Hill after his impressive appearance as a trialist last week.
Ross County U-18 XI: Shearer; Crilly (Nicholl), Bolochoweckyj, Hill, Jack, McAskill, Blackley, Wilson, Young, Campbell and Gethins. Subs: Keldie, C McKay, Duncanson and Price.
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Because of a water-logged pitch in Dingwall this fixture was switched to Glasgow. Although they lost the encounter 0-1 the County lads can take a lot of encouragement from the manner in which they made it hard for the Glasgow side and took the game to them.
Coach Ronnie Duncan made some changes and gave 15-year-old Michael Dunnett from Alness a taste of under-18 football in the first half. He was pleased with the young midfielder's performance.
County gave as good as they got in the early stages and in fact nearly yook the lead when a wind-assisted effort by Don Cowie struck the top of the crossbar.
Level-pegging at half time was a afir reflection of the game, and County continued to hold their own until the hour mark when a defensive slip cost them dear and Rangers took the lead.
To their credit the County lads responded well and a Darren Jack shot was off target when he was well-placed.
In a last gasp effort to get the equaliser Sean Webb was pushed up front and he almost came up trumps when he had the ball in the net but the counter was disallowed for an earlier infringement.
Ross County U-18 XI: Shearer; Wilson (Jack), Webb, Bolochoweckyj, Nicholl, Dunnett (Blackley), Keldie, Cowie, Gethins, Trialist and Young. Subs: Duncanson, Hill and Rice.
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Last week was quite demanding for Ross County players in the Under-18 SPL.
On Tuesday they had played Celtic and on Friday, three days later, they met the other half of the old Firm Rangers on the Jubilee Park, Dingwall.
County were without Don Cowie and Connor Gethins, but they still put up a decent display against a strong Rangers side.
The visitors took advantage of some slack marking in the first half and held a two-goal lead at the interval.
During this time Rice, the County 'keeper, showed up well and made some first-class saves.
The local lads started the second half well and might have pulled a goal back, but substitute Craig Young could not convert his chance.
County were holding their own, but it seemed they were dealt with harshly in the 70th minute when the referee awarded Rangers a penalty for what looked an accidental handball in the County box.
A goal 10 minutes from time gave Rangers a 4-0 win, which was a bit hard con-sidering County had done quite well in the second period.Ross County U-18: Rice; Wilson, Webb, Bolochoweckyj, Nicholl, Dunnett (Blackley), Maxwell (Young), Keldie, Gibson, Campbell, Duncanson (MacAskill). Unused Substitutes: Shearer and Hill.
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