Philippe Clement points to Rangers 'strange preparation' as he hunts for answers after ragged Ross County showing

Frustrated Philippe Clement admitted the “strange preparation” of his side’s postponed game against Dundee could have been a factor in his Rangers players’ sloppy display in their defeat to relegation strugglers Ross County in Dingwall.

The Light Blues went down 3-2 in the Highlands as they suffered a first ever defeat to the Staggies and Clement was looking for answers as to why his side failed to deliver while they’re in the thick of a Scottish Premiership title battle. They are now four points behind leaders Celtic with one game in hand - against Dundee this Wednesday.

Rangers were due to play the Dark Blues in midweek but it was postponed for a second time but the Dens Park pitch was twice inspected and there was huge controversy over the whole episode, with Clement voicing his concerns over the impact it would have on Scottish football. But he reckons his side need to focus purely on the football as they look to stay in the title race.

Jack Baldwin’s own goal handed Gers the lead but two quickfire goals from the hosts turned the game on its head before Josh Sims netted a third for Don Cowie’s side and despite a late James Tavernier penalty, the points stayed in the Highlands. Clement told Sky Sports: “Maybe it’s because we had a really, really strange preparation this week but it’s not an excuse. We had a really strange week and couldn't have the training that we wanted but it's not an excuse.

"We needed to come here and take the three points and go home. And we didn't do that. But everyone was busy with things outside of football, in the club, so thats’s also something to keep in mind. To keep focused on the football - nothing else.

"Of course (it surprised me - the performance) because we expect more and they expect more of themselves. We continue what we’ve been doing and that’s go game by game. You throw away points but it’s about now the next couple of weeks.

"Taking the points everywhere, it’s about that. It’s not only character, it’s also about showing quality. It’s not only by running all over the pitch and just doing something that we’re going to win games. We’ve been doing well a lot of months and because of that we’ve taking a lot of points but I lost several things out of our normal game and one of those was winning duels and being in our structure.

“I’m very disappointed because we didn't play a good game and gave away easy goals. Even when we were leading 1-0, it wasn't a good firs half. We didn't have enough quality on the ball. That gives hope to the opponents who then took the lead and started to throw bodies in front of the ball. With and without the ball it wasn't good enough today. We were not good enough all over the field and in both boxes.”