Harry Clarke reckons Ross County were blown away by the Rangers away support sucking the ball into Ross Laidlaw’s net.
The Staggies found themselves two goals down early on Sunday as the stuttering champions responded to Steven Gerrard’s wake-up call.
But on-loan Arsenal defender Clarke fired fresh hope into Malkay Mackay’s men just before the break when he marked his full County debut with a goal.
Gers have had a troubled start to the campaign having seen Dundee United blow apart their 40-game unbeaten record before crashing out of the Champions League to Malmo.
County were hoping to take advantage as the second half began and kick-start their own league campaign having taken just one point from their first two games.
But Rangers were spurned on to a 4-2 victory by the huge travelling support which had followed their team to the Highlands.
Alfredo Morelos and Scott Arfield added to first-half strikes from Joe Aribo and Connor Goldson to ensure the points headed backdown the A9 with the Light Blues.
Jordan White did briefly give County hope when he pulled the score back to 3-2 but Clarke was disappointed his side could not have given the Staggies support more to cheer.
"At 2-1, we had them sweating a bit,” admitted the 20-year-old. “If it wasn't for the crowd behind the goal and their support, I don't think it would have ended like that.
"It's disappointing. I don't think we did the basics well. We didn't meet our tackles or do the dirty work well enough. But we will take the positives into the Aberdeen game next weekend.
"In the second half, we had these channel balls down the side and had multiple chances and to get those chances against this standard of opposition doesn't come along often. You have to take them or get punished.”
Mackay was delighted with how Clarke coped on his first outing for his new side but the former England youth international admitted his pride at netting was tinged by the end result.
He said: "It was a nice moment to get my debut. My mum, dad and brother were here and it was nice to score in front of them.
“But it was a bittersweet afternoon. It was nice to score the goal, but we didn't get the win or take a point, so that was tough.
"I'm setting in well up here overall, though. I have found myself a golf course (at Fortrose and Rosemarkie) so I am enjoying it living up here in the Highlands.”
County had not managed a single shot on target in their first two games of the new Premiership campaign against St Johnstone and Hibs, never mind threaten the goals for column.
But now they are off and running having also broken their six-game duck against the champions, Clarke says it is time to put he foot down and get motoring.
He said: "We found out after the game we hadn't scored against Rangers for six games, so to score two against them after the season they had last year was good. We will dust ourselves down and go again.
"The Scottish Premiership is at its strongest this year, so to play against these teams is a challenge. I won't ever back down from a challenge, so it's good for me.
"As disappointing as it is not to get any points, we will take the positives on from here.”
Mackay has high hopes for his new arrival after seeing him stand up to the test of facing Alfredo Morelos and co.
“I thought Harry was exceptional at the back. I was delighted we have managed to get him here from Arsenal as we have been tracking him for a while.
“He came on at half-time at Easter Road and he was excellent and today I thought he was immense. He was playing against a top forward and he looked as if he cruised the game.”
