Ross County

Hearts' 21-year-old midfielder, Aidan Denholm, is wanted by Livingston, Motherwell and Ross County. (Joel Sked on X), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Northern Ireland striker Ronan Hale says he is just concentrating on continuing to score goals for Ross County amid speculation about the 26-year-old's future after relegation from the Scottish Premiership. (Press & Journal), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Ross County beat Dundee United and St Mirren to the signature of 21-year-old left-back Len O'Sullivan from Glenavon. (Scottish Sun, print edition)

Hamilton Academical are in talks to re-sign Charlie Telfer following the 30-year-old midfielder's release by Ross County. (Daily Record), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Ross County are in talks to sign 19-year-old Aberdeen midfielder Adam Emslie, who spent last season on loan to Cove Rangers. (Sky Sports), external

Adam Emslie is set to knock back the chance to remain in the Scottish Premiership with promoted Livingston, having also had interest from St Johnstone, with the Aberdeen midfielder preferring a move to Ross County on a two-year contract in a transfer that includes a number of add-ons and future incentives. (Daily Record), external

Adam Emslie is wanted on a permanent transfer by Ross County, but they face competition from a host of clubs and the winger could yet remain with Aberdeen. (Press & Journal), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Image source, SNS

The SPFL confirmed attendances have risen for a third consecutive season and thanked fans for their "incredible support".

Crowds across all leagues, cups and play-off matches totalled more than 5.3 million, a rise of nearly 185,000 from the 2023-24 season.

"We will be having further meetings with key stakeholders over the summer to review the most recent season and look ahead to 2025-26," the SPFL statement ends.

"We remain committed to ensuring a safe and enjoyable matchday experience for players and supporters - they are the lifeblood of our game and deserve nothing less."

Image source, Getty Images

Ronan Hale hopes he did enough on his Northern Ireland debut to stay in the squad for the World Cup qualifying campaign but knows his club situation will be key to his chances.

The striker has two years left on his Ross County contract, but has been subject to transfer speculation since the Staggies relegation to the Championship.

He netted 18 goals in 42 games for Don Cowie's side and was handed his first Northern Ireland cap in Tuesday's 1-0 friendly win over Iceland.

The 26-year-old came close to extending his side's lead against the team who defeated Scotland 3-1 at Hampden on Friday.

Hale was denied by the crossbar, with goalscorer Isaac Price sending over his attempt at a second goal on the rebound, while the County player also fired a low drive just wide before being replaced after 68 minutes.

"The first chance, I think I hit it too well," Hale said. "Obviously if you trickle it in it might go under the keeper or whatever. Then the second one, I've just tried to take it around him and the touch isn't there.

"I would be annoyed at myself if I wasn't in for those chances. It's one that I can build on and hopefully take into the group stage."

Hale has been in both of Michael O'Neill's squads this year but has had to remain patient waiting for his chance to impress. The major question mark remaining in O'Neill's squad ahead of the qualifiers is who starts as the central striker.

"I've done what I can but then again it's all down to club level as well," the 26-year-old said. "I need to be performing every week.

"I'm just going to take it as it comes," Hale said when asked about the summer break.

"I'm a Ross County player and I'm contracted to them but things can change.

"It's just about seeing what the future holds for me and the best decision to keep me playing at the highest level I can."

Image source, Inpho

Ronan Hale made a winning debut for Northern Ireland as the Ross County striker started his side's 1-0 win over Iceland.

The 26-year-old came close to extending his side's lead against the team who defeated Scotland 3-1 at Hampden on Friday.

Hale was denied by the crossbar, with goalscorer Isaac Price sending over his attempt at a second goal on the rebound, while the County player also fired a low drive just wide before being replaced after 68 minutes.

By then, the hosts were down to 10 men after Brodie Spencer's dismissal 12 minutes into the second half.

Image source, SNS

Defender Declan Gallagher has joined relegated Ross County following his Dundee United exit.

The 34-year-old former Scotland international spent two years at United, helping the club to promotion then making 40 appearances last season as they finished fourth in the Premiership.

Gallagher has signed a one-year deal in Dingwall as County bid to bounce back to the top flight at the first attempt following play-off defeat to Livingston.

County manager Don Cowie hailed Gallagher as a "fantastic addition" and added: "We have had a number of players depart and this marks the first step in rebuilding the squad.

"He brings a wealth of experience in the Scottish game and has recently won the Scottish Championship with Dundee United which is ultimately our aim for this season."

Ross County striker Ronan Hale does not fit the profile of forward being sought by Aberdeen despite a report linking the 26-year-old with Pittodrie along with Dundee and League One clubs Wigan Athletic, Luton Town and Port Vale. (Press & Journal), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Aberdeen and Dundee are competing with teams in England for the signature of Ross County striker Ronan Hale. (Belfast Telegraph - subscription required), external

Read all of Wednesday's Scottish Gossip

Image source, SNS

Ross County will find it "very tough" financially following their relegation from the Scottish Premiership considering they were recently losing £20,000 per week in the top flight, according to football finance expert Kieran Maguire.

Chief executive Steven Ferguson told BBC Scotland earlier this week that they will suffer the "financial hit" but hinted that chairman Roy MacGregor will provide funds necessary to mount a promotion challenge.

Maguire suggested the Dingwall club had done "spectacularly well" to stay in the Premiership since 2019 given they had the lowest income, generating less than £4m based on their 2023 accounts.

He said the club had been "effectively punching above its weight in terms of its finances".

County were advanced around £1.7m by people connected to the club and those loans were written off, which Maguire says is a sign of great benevolence that would only become a problem should the owners run out of funds to prop up the club or decide to change the funding model.

Maguire described County's delay in publishing their 2024 accounts as "a small red flag" and suggested that the £20,000 per week losses in their most recently published accounts made for a tough starting point when facing a reduction in revenue next season.

The biggest expense for most clubs is the wage bill and County were already paying out more in wages than they were generating in revenue - another red flag for Maguire.

They were paying £102 in wages for every £100 that came in the door, which is by far the highest in the Premiership, and much higher than the recommendation by European governing body Uefa to keep it below £70.