Ross County

Ross Morren
Fan writer

Ross County face their biggest match of their season so far as they travel down to Tynecastle to face Hearts.

There's been nothing to separate the sides in their two meetings this season, a 1-1 draw in Edinburgh in September and a 2-2 in Dingwall in December.

Both matches were packed with late drama. A stoppage-time equaliser from Lawrence Shankland denied County all three points in the first encounter.

The Staggies then went one better as they trailed 2-0 going into the 96th minute at home but goals from Josh Nisbet and Jordan White completed a dramatic comeback.

County haven't won a Premiership match at Tynecastle since March 2017 courtesy of an Alex Schalk strike in a 1-0 victory. Although it's been over eight years since that win, we have drawn five of the past eight trips there which highlights the ability to be competitive at one of the toughest away grounds.

Many County fans believe that if the top-six dream is to become a reality, this is a must-win match at Tynecastle.

It would be our most important win this season and could move Don Cowie's side into the top six going into the international break.

However, defeat would leave us four points behind Hearts, severely damaging hopes of sneaking into the top six with only three matches left to play.

With four wins in the past six away matches, the Staggies will be returning to Gorgie a far more confident side compared to their previous visit.

They were so close to taking three points back up the A9 in September can they finally end their Tynecastle curse this weekend?

Ross Morren can be found at The County Corner, external

We asked you to tell us the one thing nobody is talking about at Ross County.

Here's what some of you said:

Anon: Doing well this season, Don Cowie knows what he wants. He is correct regarding stability, this will give him a platform to improve. My only complaint is a lack of local talent coming through the academy.

Jim: The only things definitely not being talked about are win the cup and win the league! Every other option is there. Look up and think maybe top six, over the shoulder and poor results will drag us to the trap door again. We all know we're better placed now than the last two seasons but very few, whisper it, are saying European football.

Anon: I think we will be safe from relegation and the play-off but I also think top six is one step too far.

Ross County manager Don Cowie says the Scottish Premiership club have made the decision to try to land signings on longer contracts than previously to avoid the hefty squad transitions each season that have become the tradition in Dingwall. (Press & Journal), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Ross County beat Kilmarnock 1-0 last weekend and are only two points behind Motherwell in six place having won three of their past four league matches.

With the split fast approaching, Don Cowie's side will be fully focused on maintaining their good form and hopefully achieving a top-six finish.

You know your club best, so what is the one thing regarding County - good or bad - nobody is talking about?

Let us know., external

Ross Morren
Fan writer

Previously, I've described Ross County's recent run of fixtures as season defining.

The Staggies looked like they were a side full of confidence following impressive victories against Motherwell and Dundee, where they scored three goals in successive Premiership matches for the first time since December 2015.

Those two victories meant County fans were full of optimism at avoiding a battle at the bottom for the third straight season, and even dreaming of potentially sneaking into the top six.

Last Wednesday, supporters were brought crashing back down to earth as the Staggies fell to a 1-0 defeat to St Johnstone in Perth.

It was an unrecognisable performance compared to recent matches as they lacked creativity and failed to take control of the match. To add salt to the wounds, the defeat meant County have only picked up a single point in three matches against the Perth side, which could be crucial as we approach the split.

That result and performance amplified the importance of County's next match ten-fold, as they faced Kilmarnock in Dingwall.

It wasn't a game that'll live long in the memory but Don Cowie's side bounced back from their midweek defeat to pick up a 1-0 victory thanks to Kieran Phillips' first-half goal.

In his four home Premiership matches so far, Phillips has scored two goals, assisted another and won two penalties, so he's made quite an impact in Dingwall.

At the other end, the defensive trio of Johnathan Tomkinson, Kacper Lopata and Eli Campbell were outstanding.

They threw their bodies on the line countless times against a Kilmarnock bombardment. On the rare occasion the trio were beaten, Jordan Amissah was imperious yet again in the County goal and made several key saves to hold on to the clean sheet.

The victory moved the Staggies up to eighth and within two points of the top six.

Cowie and his players deserve huge credit for their reaction against Killie to pick up what the manager described as the biggest three points of County's season so far.

Ross Morren can be found at The County Corner, external

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Another huge win for Ross County as they look to avoid the familiar relegation play-off position.

Don Cowie's side kept a clean sheet as well as securing an important Premiership victory over Kilmarnock and they have one player in my team of the week.

Jordan Amissah made several good stops to seal a potentially pivotal victory. Has generally impressed since arriving in Dingwall.

BBC Scotland Sportscene pundit Cammy Bell hails Kieran Phillips' flick to set up Ross County's winning goal against Kilmarnock.

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Watch highlights from Ross County's 1-0 win over Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership.

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We asked for your views on Ross County's 1-0 win against Kilmarnock.

Here's what some of you said:

David: Definitely a rearguard action but the whole team contributed to success. Kacper Lopata, Jordan Amissah and Jordan White - who was everywhere and got the assist for the goal - as well as tremendous defensive clearances. I have watched the second goal but cannot see why it was disallowed. A great three points.

Shaun: A really important win for the team. We did not play our best, but Kieran Phillips showed great skill to flick the ball to Jordan, and took his chance when it came. The defence had to be strong throughout. They all did well but Lopata and Amissah were both outstanding. We are in a good position, some tough games ahead, so we need to keep grinding out points.

Davie: An immense defensive performance or poor finishing by Killie? Who cares! After travelling down to Perth midweek I was worried about this game as Killie are so physical. They threw everything at us, and probably deserved at least a draw, but goals count, and we got it, Lopata was my man of the match.

Paul: Resilient, strong performance, especially Amissah. When creative players like Noah Chilvers are not at their best, a good team performance was required. Great to see Alex Samuel back, he should have made an instant impact in the second goal chalked off for a dubious foul. Top six is a possibility if we can maintain and improve a little.

Jim: It wasn't pretty at times, far from the best we've played in an attacking sense. Very important win, especially after Wednesday night's poor performance. Lopata and Connor Randall excelled yet again. Nice to have things in our own hands but still with a regular glance over the shoulder. We're in the mix.

Kilmarnock fell to their third defeat in a week as Ross County bounced back from a midweek loss to record a crucial win that puts them within two points of the Scottish Premiership top six.

Country are up to eighth while Kilmarnock remain 10th and, while they are only six points off the top half, manager Derek McInnes admitted that, if his side had any top six aspirations, this was a game they needed to win.

What did you make of that, County fans? Where was that game won? And who impressed you?

What does this do for County's season? Feeling optimistic yet?

Let us know your thoughts., external

Image source, SNS

Ross County manager Don Cowie told BBC Scotland: "Very hard fought. A really important three points, and another three points toward where we want to get to - 35 points. That was our total last season. We've now got nine games to really add to that.

"It was a tough game, we had to defend a lot. They put us under a lot of pressure, a lot of entries into our box. It's definitely not the best we've played this season, but it's the best three points we've had this season.

"They had a few openings which on another day they take. Derek [McInnes] will be disappointed they didn't take one of the chances. I've got to focus on my own group. I see a team that's putting their body on the line.

"That's three wins in the last four games at an important stage of the season. I couldn't ask for any more in terms of the effort they're putting in."

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

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Such is the tight nature of the league that one bad result can have fans looking over their shoulders at the teams below them.

The midweek lost to St Johnstone did just that for County, given how poor and lifeless the performance was.

Thankfully for Don Cowie, his side responded with a solid defensive effort that frustrated Kilmarnock for the full 90 minutes.

Kacper Lopata, Jonathan Tomkinson and Eli Campbell produced heroics time and again and when they could not header or blooter the ball away, Amissah behind them repelled the visitors.

They were, perhaps, a little lucky to score with really their only chance but then dreadfully unlucky to have Kenneh's goal ruled out. In the end, it didn't matter.

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Kacper Lopata. No one made more clearances or won more aerial duels than the Polish defender, who was at the heart of County's stoic defensive effort.

At only 23-years-old, he has anchored the County defence incredibly well at times this season and his solid performance was backed up by the two other defenders in the back-three - Jonathan Tomkinson and Eli Campbell.

Image source, SNS

Ross County will again be without Michee Efete (knee), Ryan Leak (Achilles), Alex Samuel (thigh) and Will Nightingale (knee).

Kilmarnock are still without captain Kyle Vassell and defender Stuart Findlay (both ankle).

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Don Cowie wants his Ross County side to "put things right" with a win against Kilmarnock on Saturday after their 1-0 midweek defeat at St Johnstone.

The Staggies are ninth in the Premiership table, a point above Killie.

"We've got to move on from Wednesday, I'm not going to dwell on it," said Cowie.

"The focus is on getting ready for another big game against Kilmarnock and trying to get back to winning ways.

"We've been in good form, had a good run of results. On Wednesday we didn't perform and we got what we deserved, just like what we got what deserved in our previous two games by winning them because we had played well.

"We didn't play well on Wednesday, we accept that's why we lost the game. In football, you always have the opportunity to put things right and that comes against Kilmarnock."

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• There have been three instances of a side losing a Scottish Premiership game in 2024-25 in which they led by 2+ goals – all three have involved Kilmarnock, beating Dundee 3-2 in October, losing 3-2 to Dundee in November, and losing 4-2 to Rangers last time out.

• Ross County have won their first two Scottish Premiership games against Kilmarnock this term; only in 2014-15 and 2015-16 have the Staggies ever beaten Killie three times in a single season in the competition.

• Kilmarnock are winless in their past eight Scottish Premiership games away to Ross County (D3 L5) since a 2-1 victory in March 2017.

• After their 3-1 win over Dundee, Ross County are looking to win back-to-back home games for the first time in the Scottish Premiership this season.

• Kilmarnock have lost their past three away league games, last losing more in a row in April 2023 (six).

We asked for your opinion on Ross County's 1-0 loss to St Johnstone on Wednesday night.

Here's what some of you said:

Davie: We were poor. Long balls to Ronan Hale and Kieran Phillips on a bumpy pitch failed, so bringing on Jordan White and George Robeston made sense as that was obviously the way we were going to continue to play.

Our keeper kept us in the game first half. Bottom line, Akil Wright's blunder cost us. He has been so good for us, but this was a must-not-lose game and we were awful.

Anon: Do we have a defence? If we have a so one, have they played in these positions before at this level? Every time, we shoot ourselves in the foot. Hang your heads lads, hang your heads.

Rick: A long drive home after that rubbish, just looked like we couldn't be bothered! Second to every ball and possession given away consistently. Thank heavens for Jordan Amissah or it could have been worse. Saints were timewasting and I'd love to see that handball at the end again. Not a time for complacency, County!

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• St. Johnstone have scored in their last eight games in the Premiership, their longest stretch of games with a goal in the competition since a run of eight from 21 October 2022 to 28 December 2022.

• Ross County have failed to score in 11 of their 28 games, no team has failed to do so more often in the Premiership this season.

• Makenzie Kirk has scored six goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), no St Johnstone player has more.

• Ross County have a record of W0, D0, L6 when conceding the opening goal away from home in the Premiership this season.

Watch the best of the action as Scottish Premiership bottom side St Johnstone beat Ross County.

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Makenzie Kirk's close-range finish, smashing in after a Stephen Duke-McKenna effort was parried by Jordan Amissah, moves Simo Valakari's side to within three points of second bottom Dundee with 10 games of the season to play.

County travelled to Perth with a record of four wins from their previous five away league games, but it was the hosts who had the better of a competitive first half.

St Johnstone created several good goalscoring opportunities but were foiled on each occasion by an inspired Jordan Amissah in the County goal.

County fans, were you at McDiarmid Park on Wednesday night or following the action from home? Either way we want your views on the game.

Have your say, external

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Ross County manager Don Cowie: "I'm really disappointed off the back of two really good performances and victories, it was an opportunity to continue that but we got what we deserved out of the match.

"St Johnstone were the better team and thoroughly deserved it.

"I've gone with the same group of players from the start and we never managed to get going in the game or create any momentum, that's the frustrating part. Our away form has been good but I didn't see enough of that tonight.

"We've lost games before this season and we don't get ahead of ourselves and think we're the finished article. It's always about trying to strive for consistency and that's always the challenge. Tonight shows we're not there yet and we have to keep working on it.

"St Johnstone winning tonight gives them momentum, it closes the gap but we're not going to get caught up on one result, one performance.

"We're really disappointed and frustrated right now but we've only got a couple of days before another really important game so we need to get back to what we've done in previous games."