Ross County

We asked for your views on Ross County's 3-1 win against Dundee.

Here's what some of you said:

Calum: Brilliant performance. County teams in the past may have let their heads drop after Dundee's goal but we battled back and got a deserved win. Akil Wright is playing like a prime Cafu!

Jim: Another very good team performance. Every player was better than their opponent. After giving Simon Murray too much time and space early, we never gave them a sniff until added time when they were already beaten. Some great football early in the second half took the game completely away from Dundee. Wright and Noah Chilvers continue to perform at a high level.

Murray: After losing an early goal to our favourite player last season we recovered well and fully deserved our victory in the end. Hopefully looking upwards now. Come on the Staggies.

Ali: Good team performance. Back three were really solid - Wright, George Harmon, Connor Randall and Chilvers were very good. Pleased to see Kieran Phillips break his duck with a goal and assist. Unfortunately the lads can't sit on their laurels with critical games against St Johnstone and Kilmarnock in the next few days. Well done lads, keep up the good work.

Alan: A fully deserved win, County dominated Dundee. Plenty of candidates for man of the match in the home team which is an indicator of how the game played out. Special mention to Wright who has been an absolute find and has an eye for the spectacular!

Raj: We look a much more dangerous team when we play the play on the deck, Dundee were comfortable all first half with long balls. Cracking five minutes after the half to put the game to bed.

Angus: They are doing really well, one win or three draws, get them out of the relegation places! From 11th to seventh in a short amount of time - wow!

Image source, SNS

• Ross County have won after conceding the opening goal in the Premiership for the first time since 26 October 2024 against Kilmarnock.

• Ross County have won 10 points from losing positions in the Premiership this season, only Dundee United (11) and Kilmarnock (12) have recovered more.

• Ross County have scored eight goals in the first 15 minutes of the second half, only Celtic (13) and Aberdeen (9) have scored more in the Premiership this season.

• Dundee have lost 20 points from winning positions in the Premiership this season, more than any other team.

• Dundee have lost their last four games in the Premiership, their last joint longest losing streak was from 28 April 2024 to 14 May 2024.

• The Dee have conceded 25 first-half goals in 27 games, more than any other in the Premiership this season.

• Simon Murray has scored nine goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other Dundee player.

• Dundee have conceded 11 goals in the first 15 minutes of the second half, no team has conceded more in the Premiership this season.

Ross County fans, were you at Global Energy Stadium to watch your team's first home win since November? We want your views on the Staggies' performance. Have your say here., external

Image source, SNS

On his 24th birthday, Noah Chilvers was an imperious performer in County ranks. Never hurried in possession, his close control and distribution were key tenets of the home side's long-awaited Dingwall triumph, and he landed a telling blow with a cute first-time finish for his side's third goal.

George Harmon, too, impressed on the left flank, with two of his excellent deliveries leading to goals, and a third narrowly missed by fellow wing-back Akil Wright, another goalscorer and stand-out for Don Cowie's men.

Simon Murray, as ever, ploughed a deep furrow up front for Dundee and Josh Mulligan was a menace with his penetrative runs and crosses from the right.

Image source, SNS

County have proven incisive on the counter-attack of late - sinking Motherwell 3-0 last weekend with just 31% possession - and while they enjoyed much more ball, the theme continued.

The technical attributes of Noah Chilvers, and the industrious work of wing-backs George Harmon and Akil Wright, came to the fore again when they swaggered downfield.

The quality of Harmon's crossing is exceptional, his diagonal from the right arrowing on to Kacper Lopata's head; another wonderful ball from the opposite touchline nearly allowed Wright to convert; before the wide men did link up decisively for the latter's goal.

This was a win of great importance given their long wait for a home victory, and the congested nature of the Premiership table, and one they saw out with minimal fuss.

Image source, SNS

Billy Koumetio (ankle) and Scott Fraser (groin) remain out for Dundee.

Ross County boss Don Cowie expects to be selecting from an unchanged squad, with Michee Efete (knee), Ryan Leak (Achilles), Alex Samuel (thigh) and Will Nightingale (knee) set to remain sidelined.

Image source, SNS

Don Cowie says the current Ross County squad is looking stronger than ever as they try to move up the table and away from a relegation battle.

The Staggies are 10th in the Scottish Premiership, two points above 11th-placed Dundee and within two points of St Mirren in sixth after winning four and losing only two of their eight league matches.

County eased past Motherwell last weekend, scoring three unanswered goals and looked threatening throughout.

"I would say it's probably the strongest the squad's looked since the start of the season," Cowie said.

"I think on Saturday you see the real strength and depth that we've got, really good options to come on when we demand people to put a real effort and shift in on the pitch.

"You're looking and thinking 'we've got really good options to freshen things up' - that was clear to see on Saturday. The squad is in a really good place and I'm really happy with how it's looking right now."

County have the chance to move five points clear of the bottom two when they host Dundee on Saturday.

He added: "They'll be disappointed with the results they've had recently, but they are still a team who finished in the top six last year, and had a fantastic season with a very good manager.

"They'll see it as a real opportunity in terms of where we both are in the league.

"They know if they can win the game they go above us and that will be a big incentive for them. But we're in a really good place and we're looking forward to it."

Image source, SNS

• Ross County have won both of their two previous league games against Dundee in 2024-25, only in 2021-22 have the Staggies ever won three in a row against the Dee in the top flight.

• Four of Dundee's last five wins over Ross County in the Scottish Premiership have come away from home. Indeed, since the start of 2016-17, against no other side have they won more away matches in the competition (also 4 v Livingston).

• Ross County have failed to win each of their last five home league games (D2 L3), last going longer without a home win in the Scottish Premiership in January 2021 (10 games).

• Dundee are currently enduring a three-game losing run in the Scottish Premiership. Only once since their promotion in 2023 have they lost more in a row in the competition, a run of four from April to May last year.

• Ronan Hale has scored eight goals for Ross County in the Scottish Premiership this season. The only players to score as many or more in their debut top-flight campaign with the Staggies are Richard Brittain (9 in 2012-13), Melvin de Leeuw (9 in 2013-14), and Liam Boyce (10 in 2014-15).

Image source, SNS

Connor Randall insists Ross County are not getting "too carried away" after their win against Motherwell at the weekend which took them to within two points of the top six.

The Highland side host Dundee on Saturday, who, despite being only two points worse off than County, sit second-bottom, as is the incredibly tight compact of the division.

Due to it being "so tight," the County captain assured their full focus is on the task on the pitch, not the table.

"We just focus on us as, we've done all season and that's what we'll continue to do," the Englishman told BBC Scotland.

"With Saturday being our first focus looking to put in a good performance, pick up the points and that's how we'll go week by week."

Randall was one of two names on the scoresheet at the weekend, as the skipper produced his first goal of the season. A "nice way to end the game" for him personally, he said, and a bonus when "you can chip in".

And with seven games remaining before the Premiership splits, those three goals and three points could prove crucial if the Staggies are to avoid the relegation danger spot – a position they have held at the end of the previous two terms.

But the 29-year-old cautions that they are far from safe.

"It gives you confidence," he added. "Off the back of a good performance and good result you go into Saturday confident, but you've got to back that up, you know that's how tight it is in this league.

"With the closeness in the table every game is tough.

"You can't just have one good result and not perform the next week. It matters more if we don't back it up and get a good result on Saturday, so that's what we're looking to do."

Manager Don Cowie believes Ross County's squad is the healthiest it has been so far this season. (Press & Journal), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Amy MacBeath
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Ross County manager Don Cowie was delighted with his birthday present, as his County side moved themselves to within two points of the Premiership top six.

The Staggies made it four away wins from five as they trounced Motherwell 3-0 at Fir Park, on the day of Cowie's 42nd birthday.

"I asked the boys prior to the [Motherwell] game 'could you get me three points for my birthday'", joked the gaffer, "and happy that they duly obliged".

The improved away run has also seen the Dingwall club take full points from trips to Dundee, Aberdeen and Kilmarnock.

That's in stark contrast to their 15-month spell without an away win, which finally ended on Boxing Day - Cowie's Christmas gift from his team, perhaps.

The former midfielder believes "that real togetherness" and "right character" has got the Ross-shire men through those "challenging times".

In their last eight Premiership outings, County have now only lost to Celtic and Rangers, albeit heavily, and drawn with Hearts and Hibernian.

"Four wins out of five on the road, that's great credit to the players and the staff in terms of going to really difficult venues and coming away with maximum points," Cowie said.

"We needed to do that. It's had a really big impact on where we are in the league now. It's about building on that and keeping that momentum going."

Image source, SNS

Ross County manager Don Cowie has been speaking to BBC Scotland before their home Scottish Premiership match against Dundee on Saturday.

Here are the key points he made:

• Last Saturday's 3-0 result over Motherwell was an "important win" for the Dingwall side who find themselves a little further from relegation danger and within grasp of the top six, albeit alongside several other Premiership sides.

• Finally getting on the scoresheet was a special moment for captain Connor Randall, who Cowie says "maybe goes a bit unnoticed in terms of what he brings on the pitch," but whose contribution is "certainly appreciated".

• Despite a difficult personal spell for Ronan Hale, Cowie is delighted at the progress the Northern Irishman has made going from part-time football to making an impact for the Highland side with four goals in his last three games. If he keeps it up Cowie says "I'm sure international recognition will come".

• The team spirit shown his side is the "bedrock and the foundation" of Ross County and Cowie believes his players have shown the "right character through challenging times", especially away from home.

• Saturday's home game against Dundee is "very important" and an opportunity to build on recent form and "keep the momentum going".

• Cowie adds Dundee are a "very good team" who earned their top-six finish last year, and is under no illusions about the threat they pose despite their "challenging period recently".

Image source, SNS

Ross County midfielder Charlie Telfer has joined Hamilton Accies on loan for the remainder of the season.

Telfer, 29, made 12 appearances for County after joining from Airdrieonians in the summer but only three of them were starts.

On one of his seven league appearances for County, in a 3-0 loss to St Johnstone, he was sent off after just three minutes when he came on as a 75th minute substitute.

He is now set for fifth spell in the Championship, having also plied his trade at Dundee United, Livingston, Greenock Morton.

Ross Morren
Fan writer

Don Cowie's 42nd birthday was one to remember as his Ross County side cruised to a 3-0 victory against Motherwell at Fir Park on Saturday.

A brace from Ronan Hale and Connor Randall's first goal of the season handed the manager the perfect birthday present as The Staggies were excellent from start to finish.

Their shape out of possession nullified any attacking threat that Motherwell posed throughout the 90, and when County won the ball back, they broke quickly through the front three of Noah Chilvers, Kieran Phillips and Hale.

The striker's second goal of the day was the perfect example of County's game-plan.

Jonathan Tomkinson was alert to intercept a loose pass and carried the ball into midfield, poked the ball to through to Chilvers, who spotted Hale's run through the heart of Motherwell's defence, and found him with a perfectly weighted pass for the striker to slot the ball into the bottom corner with an excellent finish.

After a run of only one goal in fifteen matches, Hale now has four goals in his last three. Following a good run of form at the start of the season, County fans will hope their number nine will continue this hot streak for the remainder of the season.

Saturday's victory was County's fourth victory from their last five away matches. Considering this was a side that only ended their fifteen-month drought without an away win at the end of 2024, it's been quite an incredible turnaround from The Staggies.

Focus now shifts onto a return to home comforts as County welcome Dundee to the Global Energy Stadium on Saturday. After their victory at Fir Park, The Staggies leapfrogged Dundee who now occupy the dreaded play-off position.

If Don Cowie's side can continue their 100% record against Dundee this season and pick up another three points on Saturday, it could move them into the top six.

Ross Morren can be found at The County Corner, external

The Sportscene team discuss Noah Chilvers' performance in Ross County's 3-0 win over Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership.

Image source, SNS

Skipper Connor Randall insists Ross County have not thought about their remarkable upturn in away form.

After going over a year without an away win, Don Cowie's side have now won four of their past five on the road.

Speaking after the 3-0 victory at Motherwell, Randall told BBC Scotland: "It can become a thing, people talking about not winning away from home, but we've just got on with it.

"We haven't thought too much about it, it's not something we want to be associated with. Of course, we believe have the quality to win games away from home and the last few games we've shown that.

"Nothing has changed, we've just been working away, always have been, and a few things have clicked and thankfully that's led to us getting important points on the board."

The 3-0 win in Lanarkshire also featured a real collector's item - a Randall goal. The captain has only scored three in his professional career and hadn't netted since August 2023.

"It's something I'd like to add to my game," Randall added. "It's not something I do often, so it's always a nice feeling.

"Ronan [Hale] got two, important for him and I'm happy for him, the main thing is the three points and a good win away from home."

Ross County inflict managerless Motherwell's fifth successive defeat to move out of the Premiership relegation play-off spot. (UK users only)

County fans, we asked for your views on Saturday's 3-0 Scottish Premiership victory over Motherwell.

Here's what some of you said:

Jim: Time will tell how big a win this one was. Momentum going into the final phase of games before the split is crucial. An all-round really good team performance. The new faces have blended well, we're counter-attacking with more pace, playing some good football, confidence is rising and other teams are clearly faltering.

Ali: Excellent result against Motherwell, well done lads. I have long been an advocate of "if we keep the ball on the deck Ronan Hale will score goals for County" and so it was proved against 'Well. Our next three games against Dundee, St Johnstone and Killie could define our season, so we the fans need to get behind the team big style.

Image source, SNS

• Motherwell have failed to win any of their past nine matches when conceding first in the Premiership, since a victory over St Mirren on 28 September 2024.

• Motherwell have a record of W0, D0, L9 when trailing at half-time in the Premiership this season.

• Motherwell have lost their last four games in the Premiership, their last joint longest losing streak was from 16 September 2023 to 7 October 2023.

• Ronan Hale has now scored three goals in three appearances in the Premiership against Motherwell, and his eight Premiership goals this season are more than any other Ross County player.

• Noah Chilvers has assisted his fifth goal at the Premiership this season, more than any other Ross County player.

• Connor Randall scored his first goal in the Premiership this season, netting for the first time since 12 August 2023 against St Johnstone.

• Ross County have scored 10 goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, only Celtic (19) and Dundee United (15) have scored more in the Premiership this season.

Ross County moved out of the relegation zone as they eased past managerless Motherwell at Fir Park to record a first Scottish Premiership win in four attempts.

Ronan Hale netted either side of the interval with composed finishes before Connor Randall's low shot crept past the outstretched Ellery Balcombe late on to put the game beyond the struggling hosts.

Stephen Frail remained in interim charge of Motherwell and confirmed pre-match that a new boss is expected to be appointed at "the start of next week".

Have your say on Ross County's away win here., external

Image source, SNS

Ross County manager Don Cowie: "I thought it was a really good team performance, we've built on our really good away form i's four wins out of five away from home.

"It was a real collective effort, so delighted for the boys, an important three points and we move on to Dundee next week.

"It wasn't through a lack of effort but we've tweaked a few things, the boys have performed really well in the games.

"I think we've earned, you know, the four victories in the last five games and with the manner of performance that we've put on and when you get the first one it gives real belief and it gives confidence and that's a massive part of football and it's just about trying to maintain that.

"It's what we all know, we know how tight the league is, it's very compact and it's just important that we look after ourselves and try and accumulate as many points as possible up until you know the split comes around.

"We've started in terms of today with three really important points and now it's about building on that next week."

Jack Herrall
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Four wins in five away from home, out of the play-off spot and a clean sheet on the road, a tremendous day's work for the Staggies.

Hale now has eight goals in the top flight this season, an impressive haul at this point for a striker in a side who were struggling for much of the campaign.

Their creative players shone today, with Chilvers in particular looking comfortable on the transition and often picking out a smart pass or offering an outlet for his teammates.

He created three chances this afternoon, the most in the game after Lennon Miller, and now had five league assists, the most in the County side.

Despite Motherwell having most of the ball, County were often the side that looked the most likely to use the ball effectively in the final third.

Perhaps one of the most promising stats for Don Cowie to digest post-match is that his side have now scored 10 goals in the final 15 minutes of the second half, only Celtic (19) and Dundee United (15) have scored more in the Premiership this season, a sign of a side who refuse to give in and remain determined to preserve their top-flight status.