Divers join search for missing island teenager
Aleksandr Benga, 16, was last seen in the grounds of Stornoway's Lews Castle.
It could have been worse if not for Zach Hemming.
While he lacked his usual composure in commanding the ball at set-pieces, his save from Ben Purrington at point-blank range showed why he's been so impressive in the Buddies goal this season.
Image source, SNSAfter being brought back into the fold at the weekend following his suspension, James Brown showed his value to this County team.
His tireless work down the flank meant that his side were strong in defence and the more dangerous in attack, while his game-winning corner delivery proved the difference.
Image source, SNSJust the one change for Ross County following Saturday's goalless draw with Kilmarnock.
The switch is in attack as Josh Sims drops out altogether for Jordan White, who partners Simon Murray up top.
Image source, SNSRoss County: Laidlaw, Baldwin, Nightingale, Leak, Brown, Allardice, Randall, Purrington, Dhanda, White, Murray.
Substitutes: Munro, Turner, Sheaf, Loturi, Harmon, Samuel, Smith, Reid.
St Mirren: Hemming, Fraser, Gogic, Dunne, McMenamin, Baccus, O'Hara, Kiltie, Tanser, Mandron, Greive.
Substitutes: Urminsky, Bolton, Small, Flynn, Boyd-Munce, Olusanya, Jamieson, Nahmani, Ayunga.
Ross County welcome James Brown back from suspension, after the defender was sent off in his side's 3-0 defeat at home to Celtic at the start of November.
Jay Henderson (hamstring), Josh Reid (toe), Ross Callachan and Ben Paton (both knee) are set to remain sidelined.
St Mirren are hopeful that forward Toyosi Olusanya will be able to return having missed Saturday's win over Livingston with a back spasm.
Midfielder Keanu Baccus is back from suspension, but Ryan Strain misses out.
Image source, SNS
Ross Morren, The County Corner, external
Derek Adams’ third spell as Ross County manager is well and truly underway.
There was a sense of anticipation in the air as Adams returned to the Dingwall dugout for the first time in over nine years against Kilmarnock. County fans were eager to see the return of arguably the greatest manager in the club’s history and how he’d stamp his authority on the existing squad.
Adams spoke about wanting his teams to play on the front foot and get forward to create chances. It took County less than 30 seconds to carve out the first opportunity of the match when Yan Dhanda dragged his shot wide of the far post, but the attacking intentions were clear to see from the get-go.
County looked to play through the lines and get the ball forward quickly at every opportunity. Dhanda and Josh Sims’ ability to carry the ball into dangerous areas caused the away side a lot of problems in the first half.
At the other end, The Staggies looked very comfortable defensively. The three centre-halves of Ryan Leak, Jack Baldwin and Will Nightingale were in total control at the back, and Ross Laidlaw was only forced into action once when he made an excellent save from Danny Armstrong's deflected effort.
In the second half, both sides struggled to get control of the match and it turned into a bit of a battle. Both sides made changes to try and win the match, but both had to settle for a point each.
Adams will be pleased with elements of his side performance considering he’s only had one week to work with the players. He’ll be keen to see the continued improvement from his squad, starting with the match against St Mirren on Tuesday night.
St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson has won just one of five managerial visits to Dingwall in the Scottish Premiership (D1 L4), losing his last three in a row since a 2-1 win with Motherwell in December 2019.
Ross County have won both of their last two home league games against St Mirren. They have never won three in a row at home to the Buddies in the top-flight before.
While St Mirren have lost just two of their last 11 Scottish Premiership meetings with Ross County (W7 D2), those have been their last two such games away from home.
Each of Ross County’s four midweek league games (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) in 2023 have been draws by a different scoreline: 1-1 v Hibernian, 3-3 v St Johnstone, 0-0 v Dundee and 2-2 v Hibernian.
St Mirren have lost both of their last two away league games, last losing three in a row on the road in November 2022, via a run of four which included their last such trip to Ross County (a 3-2 defeat).
Derek Adams' third era at Ross County got under way at the weekend, and there is little time to take stock because the Dingwall club are back in action against high-flying St Mirren on Tuesday.
After that goalless draw against Kilmarnock, would you make changes to the team?
Choose your Ross County XI here.
Image source, SNSRoss County manager Derek Adams has urged for supporters to "stick with us" as they look to climb away from the bottom end of the Scottish Premiership.
The 48-year-old has the chance to win his first game back in the charge of the Highland club when St Mirren travel to Dingwall on Tuesday evening.
After their goalless draw with Kilmarnock at the weekend, in which the hosts saw multiple efforts cleared off the line, the new manager in familiar surroundings is asking the fanbase to make their voices heard.
Asked what his message would be to the Staggies support, he told County TV: “Stick with us, be positive and be very vocal because it’s not easy for any club coming here when the supporters are in vocal voice.”
Adams also praised his players' fitness levels after a hectic week that saw the manager begin his third spell at the club after being unveiled on Monday.
“It’s been a difficult week because I only came last Monday but we were in Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and then played on Saturday so that’s taken a lot out of the players because change does that.
“The fitness was good on Saturday because they had to keep on going, and mentally they were very good.”
Ross County manager Derek Adams met the media ahead of his second game back in charge, as his side host St Mirren on Tuesday.
Here are the key points from his press conference...
The players have had "a lot taken out of them" after the whirlwind week that saw Adams return for his third spell in charge.
His side showed mental strength and physical endurance in their goalless draw with Kilmarnock on Saturday.
Urges fans to "stick with us" as they try to climb away from relegation, says that with supporters in voice any club would find Dingwall a tough place to go.
County welcome James Brown back from suspension, but Jay Henderson (hamstring), Josh Reid (toe), Ross Callachan and Ben Paton (both knee) are set to remain sidelined.
Image source, SNSJonathan Sutherland, Sportscene presenter
Ross County showed some positive signs in Derek Adams' first game in charge, and one man stood out.
Yan Dhanda is a touch of class and brings the best out of those around him.
Captain and defender Jack Baldwin is encouraged by Ross County's start under recently appointed manager Derek Adams in the draw with Kilmarnock. (Press and Journal - subscription required), external
Ross County have been drawn against Partick Thistle in the Scottish Cup fourth round.
The tie will take place at the Global Energy Stadium on the weekend of January 20/21.
Highlights: Ross County 0-0 Kilmarnock
Image source, BBC SportWe asked for your reaction to Ross County's goalless draw at home to Kilmarnock in Derek Adams' first game back as manager in Dingwall.
John: I was really pleased to see the huge improvement in the football. Ball to feet. Pass and move. It was good to watch. Need to play two up front. Simon Murray needs Alex Samuel or Eamonn Brophy to play alongside. Yan Dhanda had a great game. Looking forward to Tuesday evening with high hopes.
Angus: Good performance. Needed three points though.
Campbell: Can only improve. Why has Eamonn Brophy not been in the last few squads?
Ross County have failed to win in their last nine Scottish Premiership games - their longest winless streak since 2021
County have also failed to score in their last three league games, their last longer run of games without scoring a goal in the competition was between December 2022 and January 2023
They have also failed to score in seven of their 13 games, only St Johnstone and Livingston have failed to score more often in the Premiership.
Despite being unable to break down Kilmarnock, Derek Adams praised his side's efforts
Image source, SNSRoss County manager Derek Adams: "We did well. It's never easy for any player when a manager changes but we started on the front foot, created a number of very good opportunities, Kilmarnock cleared a couple off the line.
"I was really happy with the positivity of the team. We defended well, kept a clean sheet and limited Kilmarnock to few opportunities on goal. We could have done better with our attempts.
"[The fixture build-up] can work both ways. I can't change it, these are the fixtures coming up. We'll be ready for St Mirren, we'll be back in tomorrow and assess the squad.
"It's up to me to find solutions, that's what I was trying to do today. We changed the starting eleven from the previous game to add a creative edge."
