Divers join search for missing island teenager
Aleksandr Benga, 16, was last seen in the grounds of Stornoway's Lews Castle.
Ross County have learned when they will fulfil their postponed fixtures following the winter break.
The Staggies will venture to Ibrox on Wednesday 14 February, looking to break Rangers' hearts on Valentine's Day.
Hibernian's trip to Dingwall has also been rescheduled, with Wednesday 13 February the new date.
Both games are set to kick off at 19:45 GMT.
Image source, SNSRoss County and St Mirren will now meet on Tuesday 27 February after their clash in Dingwall was selected for television coverage.
Originally scheduled for the following day, the fixture will now kick off at 8pm and will be shown live on Sky Sports.
The sides are locked at one win apiece in their previous two meetings this term, with Jordan White sealing late victory in the highlands before Stephen Robinson's side picked up a home victory less than two weeks later.
Image source, SNSRoss County have announced that Ben Paton has left the club following the expiry of his contract.
The midfielder signed for the Staggies in 2021, joining up with brother Harry - now of Motherwell.
A club statement read: "Ross County FC can confirm Ben Paton has left the club following the expiry of his contract.
"The former Blackburn Rovers and Canadian youth International played 22 times for RCFC and was part of the team that finished in the top six in season 2021/2022.
"We would like to thank Ben for his efforts and wish him all the best at his next club."
Image source, SNS
Ross County are not strong enough in squad depth, believes manager Derek Adams. (Press and Journal - subscription required), external
We asked which areas you would like Ross County to strengthen in the January transfer window, and your views on the 3-0 loss to Aberdeen. Here’s what you said:
Christofer: We need wingers. I think most positions in the squad are fine with some good depth and options however it’s pretty obvious the lack of wide players we have is restricting what style of football we can play.
Alistair: The Staggies are stagnant. There is no sign of any improvement since Derek Adams returned but maybe telling them their standard is the worst football he has ever seen and Morcombe are 100 times better, he didn’t exactly inspire them to try to impress him.
We asked for your views on Ross County’s 3-0 defeat against Aberdeen, here’s what you said:
Alistair: The Staggies are stagnant. There is no sign of any improvement since Derek Adams returned but maybe telling them their standard is the worst football he has ever seen and Morcombe are 100 times better, he didn’t exactly inspire them to try to impress him.
Ross County 0-3 Aberdeen: Watch highlights on Sportscene
Derek Adams' reaction to Ross County's defeat to Aberdeen
County fans, what did you make of your team's performance in the 3-0 defeat to Aberdeen?
Have your say here.
Ross County manager Derek Adams: "I thought the game to start was quite even. Then they score a goal out of nothing. We made three errors over the afternoon, they got three goals, and we didn't test their goalkeeper enough.
"We didn't create enough. We huffed and puffed, but did we have enough shots? The answer's no. Did we defend poorly? The answer's yes.
"Aberdeen were better than us. The manager can't put on performances; players put on performances.
"There will be transfer business because we don't have enough strength in depth. We have to add to what's already here."
Image source, SNSTyrone Smith, BBC Sport Scotland
After their disappointing defeat to St Mirren last time out, Barry Robson was very critical of his side – they responded the way he would have hoped today.
A number of the Dons’ big players – the likes of McGrath, Clarkson, Miovski and Polvara – produced big performances as Robson’s team delivered a much needed win on what could have been an uncomfortable afternoon.
For all the criticism that has been heading in their direction of late, Aberdeen are going in to the January break having won three of their last four league games.
And on the basis of the performance in Dingwall, Robson will be confident his team can attack the second half of the season in a positive manner – once they have recharged their batteries during the break.
Ross County don’t take many heavy beatings on home turf – they were well beaten today.
After their impressive showing at Tynecastle last time out, their performance against Aberdeen will further serve to highlight the work that needs to be done if the Staggies are to find a path away from the relegation zone.
Manager Derek Adams has vowed that County will be ‘aggressive’ in the January transfer window, so it looks like being a busy few weeks ahead on that front as he looks to assemble a team he hopes can start to climb the table.
Ross County midfielder Yan Dhanda has urged his teammates to "start turning draws into wins" after a positive display against Hearts.
“I believe we shouldn’t be near the bottom of the table,” said Dhanda after County's 2-2 draw with Hearts.
“We showed against Hearts we are a very good team when we actually go for it and just believe in ourselves.
“We need to start climbing the table now. We keep saying it, but we have to start turning draws into wins.
“It’s a tough league, and in games like Saturday we feel we should have won. We have to see those games out. We hadn’t played in quite a long time, but I thought we put on a really good performance and created a lot of chances.
“We have to take that performance into the Aberdeen game. We have come away from a tough place with a point against a good team.
“We have to go and give a good performance against Aberdeen and hopefully get all three points.
“We showed what we are capable of on Saturday but we have to build on it, it can’t just be a one-off, we can’t slip back into the performance against Dundee.”
Image source, SNSRoss County have failed to score in their last three league meetings with Aberdeen, losing both of their last two.
Aberdeen have only lost one of their last eight league trips to Ross County (W5 D2), a 4-1 defeat in January 2021.
Ross County have won just two of their last 14 league games (D6 L6), consecutive home wins over St. Mirren and Motherwell in November/December.
Since winning three successive away league games in March/April last season, Aberdeen have since won just two of their last 11 on the road (D2 L7).
Since his first Scottish Premiership start in August 2022, no player has been directly involved in more goals for Ross County in the competition than Yan Dhanda (15 – 7 goals, 8 assists).
Image source, SNS
Ross Morren, The County Corner, external
Back-to-back postponements gave Ross County an unexpected rest over the festive period.
On 27 December, Storm Gerrit wreaked havoc across Scotland with heavy snowfall on the A9 at Drumochter causing huge delays throughout the day.
Some County fans set off from the Highlands as early as 08:00 with the intention to spend their day in Glasgow before travelling to Ibrox to watch the Staggies take on Rangers that evening. Those fans didn’t make it far down the A9, and some were stuck in the hold-up caused by the heavy snowfall until 16:00 and beyond before they could turn back home.
Everyone associated with Ross County is used to making the trip down the A9 every second week for away matches regardless of the weather. However, the travelling conditions last Wednesday were too dangerous for travel and after consultation with the SPFL and Police Scotland, the match was postponed.
That gave Derek Adams’ side a couple of extra days to prepare for another expedition down the A9 to face Hearts at Tynecastle.
For the majority of the match, it looked like the break had worked in the Staggies’ favour. They looked much sharper than the home side for long spells and were unfortunate not to lead at half-time.
In the second half, County started with the same intensity and raced into a 2-0 lead thanks to an own goal from Alex Cochrane and a goal of the season contender from Yan Dhanda.
Most County fans would have taken a draw pre-match and although it was disappointing to only take a point after being 2-0 up, the travelling supporters were hugely encouraged by their side's performance.
Dhanda showed exactly why he’s the crown jewel of the Dingwall side with his performance in Gorgie. He was at the heart of everything good County did going forward with his ability to carry the ball and go past defenders at ease.
His free-kick to send the Staggies 2-0 up was absolutely stunning and hit the back of the net before Scotland international Zander Clark could react.
There’s a bit of anxiety from County fans going into the January transfer Window as Dhanda reportedly only has six months left on his contract. Bigger clubs both north and south of the border will be aware of this situation and may try to tempt him away from Dingwall.
If the club can ensure Dhanda is still a Ross County player when the window closes, or convince him to sign a new contract, it could be season defining.
Manager Barry Robson demands an immediate response from his Aberdeen players following the loss to St Mirren, with Ross County away up next on Tuesday. (Press and Journal - subscription required), external
Heart of Midlothian are set to appeal against Alan Forrest's yellow card for simulation in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Ross County. (Record), external
Image source, SNSNo Scottish Premiership goalkeeper made more saves in 2023 than Ross Laidlaw.
The County man made 128 in 37 matches - an average of 3.5 per game.
But none as important as the shootout stops from Partick Thistle's Kevin Holt and Ross Docherty which won May's Premiership play-off final.
Image source, SNSIt might not mean much in the grand scheme of things, but how did your club fare in the 2023 Premiership table?
The disparity in the number of matches played in the calendar year makes a difference, obviously - we're looking at you Rangers, Aberdeen and especially Dundee.
But it still gives a decent barometer of who had a decent year and who didn't fare quite so well.
