James Tavernier: It's far too early to write off Rangers' title credentials

The Rangers full-back was in impressive form as his side triumphed over Ross County, creating the opening goal for Alfredo Morelos with a dinked cross from the byline.

After the win, Tavernier pointed to Celtic drawing this weekend and table-toppers Aberdeen requiring a late winner over Partick Thistle in a thriller at Firhill as evidence of how tough the league can be.

Read more: Pedro Caixinha backs Rangers new boys after Ross County triumph

And he insisted that Rangers are up for the fight as they put themselves back to within five points of the summit.

“It’s a strong league, you saw Celtic dropping points and Aberdeen needed a late goal, and St Johnstone have been on a good run,” Tavernier said.

“You know that it’s a tough league, and we’ve got to concentrate on it win by win.

“We’ve done our job today, so we’ll have a good international break and then look to the next one.

“It’s early days, it’s early in the season, you can’t write yourselves off when it’s this early. Everyone is still in the running.

“We did our job today and obviously it’s a bit difficult going into the break when you are wanting that momentum.

“We’ll have time off and some of the boys will go away on international duty, but we’ll come back with positive vibes into training and work hard for the next game.”

Read more: Ross County 1 Rangers 3: Morelos at the double as Pedro Caixinha gets back on track

Tavernier reckons that the new arrivals brought to the club by manager Pedro Caixinha over the summer are slowly but surely finding their feet in the Scottish game.

And he praised them for standing up when it mattered to help Rangers dig out the win in Dingwall, taking it as a sign that they are coming to terms with what it means to play for the club.

“The more games go on, the more they will realise what it’s about,” he said.

“With tough trips like up here today, they’ll definitely realise, and we showed great character as a team.

“All the new lads that have come in showed great character, and we’re delighted to get over the line and get three points, especially after last week.

“It could be massive for our confidence. There’s nothing worse than dropping points or losing the game before the international break.

“Going into the break with three points makes amends for last week with the draw and the Hibs defeat.

“We’re delighted with that, and we’ll concentrate when we get back into training later in the week and work hard for the next game.”

The most impressive of the new arrivals was striker Morelos, who hit a first-half double with the header from Tavernier’s cross and an opportunistic strike after a howler from County keeper Scott Fox.

“He’s put himself in great positions and so has Kenny (Miller), they are working really well together,” said Tavernier.

“He’s getting into positions to score goals, he got two today, and I’m happy for Eddie (Herrera) to get on the pitch and get a goal too.

“I’m always delighted to get an assist. It was obviously disappointing not to get a clean sheet, but we felt we did a good enough job at the back, and we scored enough goals at the other end.”