Ross County

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Ross County have completed their second signing of the day, adding Norwich City defender Jonathan Tomkinson on loan for the remainder of the season.

The 22-year-old USA Under-23 international has not featured for second-tier Norwich this season after spending last term on loan at Bradford City.

Tomkinson follows fellow defender Zac Ashworth, who has signed on loan from Blackpool, to Dingwall and County boss Don Cowie said: "Jonathan helps us to add competition to our defensive area.

"He comes with good pedigree having played regularly for Bradford City last season. He is a real presence at the back as well as being mobile too."

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Ross County have signed Blackpool defender Zac Ashworth on loan until the end of the season.

Ashworth, 22, joined Blackpool from West Brom last summer and has made 13 appearances this season for the English League One side.

Staggies manager Don Cowie is pleased with the addition of the "versatile" Wales U21 international, who has had previous loan spells at Bolton and Burton Albion.

"He comes with a good amount of games played in English football as well as with the Welsh national team at youth level," said Cowie.

"He is a versatile player who has experience playing as a full-back as well as at centre-back."

Ross County are in talks with Norwich City defender Jonathan Tomkinson about taking the 22-year-old on loan until the end of the season. (Pink Un), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Ross Morren
Fan writer

Ross County's four match unbeaten run was ended on Saturday as they fell to a 4-1 defeat against Celtic in Dingwall.

The Staggies were level at 1-1 with ten minutes left in the match and were competing well, but suffered a sucker-punch when Kyogo doubled his tally for the day to put Celtic 2-1 up in the 81st minute.

It looked like County would make it a nervous end for the visitors going into stoppage-time as they chased a late equaliser, until a controversial VAR intervention handed Celtic a penalty which Arne Engels dispatched to make it 3-1. Luke McCowan then added a fourth goal a few minutes later to land the final blow on the day and inflict what felt like a very harsh scoreline on Don Cowie's side.

It was an encouraging performance from The Staggies who matched Celtic for large spells of the match and nullified their attacking threat extremely well.

One player who was a standout going up against Celtic's attacking threat was Jordan Amissah.

It's not often a goalkeeper on the wrong end of a 4-1 scoreline would be viewed as man of the match, however Amissah was absolutely outstanding throughout the game.

His double save from Adam Idah and Kyogo in the first half was top class, as was his save from Alex Valle's deflected effort in the second half.

He was unfortunate to have stepped off his line as he saved Engels' initial penalty and helped clear the ball away from a goalmouth scramble. Had Amissah managed to save the midfielder's second effort, it would have further underlined what was an incredible performance.

Thankfully, Amissah extended his contract until the end of the season just a few days prior to the Celtic match.

Perfectly timed too, as it's safe to say his performance will have gained the attention of a lot of clubs who would have liked to obtain his services.

Ross Morren can be found at The County Corner, external

The Sportscene panel discuss whether Alistair Johnston should have been sent off against Ross County. (UK viewers only)

Conceding three late goals to Celtic was difficult for Jordan Amissah - but the Ross County goalkeeper says being without a club for six months after being released by Sheffield United was a far worse experience. (The Herald)

Read the rest of Monday's gossip.

Watch highlights of Ross County's 4-1 defeat against Celtic in the Scottish Premiership. (UK users only)

We asked for your views on Ross County's 4-1 defeat against Celtic.

Here's what some of you said:

Jim: Having rewatched highlights, I can't understand why the red card wasn't given when we got our penalty. In the first half we had a few half chances off target and you have to take those against Celtic, especially when they're not taking theirs. Their penalty was an improper VAR intervention, yet again. Don Cowie was right, the referee was encouraged wrongly to review.

David: Encouraging performance. Disappointing the referee didn't stand by his initial decision on Celtic's penalty as he had a good view of it, but bottled it when VAR intervened. It was soft. We were chasing the game at the end. The goalkeeper, Jordan Amissah had a great game. Celtic are relentless unfortunately.

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• Kyogo Furuhashi has netted 10 goals in the Premiership this season (two in this game), making him joint top scorer with Dundee United's Sam Dalby.

• Jordan White has scored five goals in the Premiership this season (1 in this game), no Ross County player has more.

• Celtic have scored in 20 of their 22 games, more often than any other team in the Premiership this season.

• Ross County have scored in their last seven games in the Premiership, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of 11 games from 11 December 2021 to 9 February 2022.

• Celtic have won their last three games in the Premiership, their last longer winning streak was from 27 October to 7 December, a run of seven.

Celtic survived a scare at Ross County by producing a late burst of goals to stretch their lead at the Scottish Premiership summit to 18 points.

Jordan White's second-half penalty had brought the hosts level, but Kyogo Furhahshi added his second in the 81st minute before a retaken Arne Engels penalty in stoppage time and Luke McCowan strike added gloss to the scoreline.

Both sides had their chances in the first half and there were screams for a penalty from Celtic when Reo Hatate went down in the County box under pressure from Eli Campbell, but play was waved on and the Video Assistant Referee was happy to let the action continue.

Kyogo fired Celtic into the lead minutes after missing a gilt-edged chance as he poked in a lovely cross from right-back Alistair Johnston.

County fans, were you out in the cold to support your team or following the action from home? Either way we want your views on the game.

Have your say, external

Ross County manager Don Cowie: "I feel for the players because they put so much into it.

"We managed to get ourselves in a great position with 10 minutes to go. To concede the two goals in stoppage time, I'm really disappointed for the boys because I think that's extremely harsh on them.

"When you play Celtic the concentration levels have to be so high. Kyogo's movement is unbelievable, it's probably better than anyone you'll see in this league. He's so sharp, he gets two great finishes. You can be resilient, have really good structure but in the blink of an eye his movement can really hurt you and he did that today.

"I was really happy with how we were out of possession. You've got to accept you're going to spend long periods without the ball and I thought we did that well.

"I thought, even at 1-0, we showed we still had that belief to get back in the game. We managed to score against Celtic which not many teams have managed to do this season.

"Always disappointed to lose the game but I'm seeing improvements in terms of the team we've got. It's now about putting this to bed and getting ready for the cup next week.

"I think the penalty is really harsh. The fact Matthew [MacDermid] had to look so many times shows I think we came out on the wrong side of the decision."

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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The 4-1 scoreline doesn't do justice to the performance Don Cowie's side put in for 80 minutes. The late drama in Dingwall cancelled out the good work County did up until Celtic's second goal.

Jordan Amissah will deservedly get plaudits for his performance. Celtic ended the game with almost 80% possession and despite several clear-cut opportunities in the first 45 minutes, County made it to the break just a goal down thanks to a few cracking saves from Amissah.

Cowie's shift to a 4-4-2 in the second period caused problems for Celtic, particularly in the difficult conditions, and White's penalty got them rightfully level.

It took until late on for Celtic to get back in front and then they really kicked into gear. This game won't define County's season but the display for much of the 100-plus minutes can give Cowie's side confidence

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Ross County's new striker Kieran Phillips is in line for a debut. Michee Efete faces a fitness check after sitting out the Kilmarnock match, while Ryan Leak (Achilles), Alex Samuel (thigh), Ross Laidlaw, Eli Campbell and Will Nightingale (all knee) are still out.

Celtic are without wingers Daizen Maeda (strain), Nicolas Kuhn (thigh), James Forrest (foot) and Luis Palma (bereavement).

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Ross County boss Don Cowie is delighted with the impact Nohan Kenneh has had on his side after joining for a second time.

The midfielder arrived on loan from Hibs on New Year's day and started the 2-1 win against Aberdeen then played the full 90 minutes of victory at Kilmarnock.

"As assistant manager when he was here the first spell, I was really keen to get Nohan back," Cowie said.

"He's totally different to the other midfielders we've got. He's got a real physical presence in that area. He's chomping at the bit, he had no football at Hibs this season, so he was really keen to come.

"I think everyone can see the impact he's had in two really difficult games away from home where you've got to dig deep and put your body on the line.

"He epitomised that in the last two games."

The County manager is hoping striker Kieran Phillips can make a similar start after arriving from Huddersfield this week.

"Kieran comes here on the back of a really good loan spell in America [with Sacramento Republic last year]," said Cowie. "He's mobile, he's got pace, looking to run in behind.

"He was someone we looked at in the summer, but he was in America, so we just had to be patient.

"Obviously, with Alex Samuel getting a bad injury, we lost a body in the frontline. As soon as the window came, it was about getting someone in and Kieran was available, so we're delighted he's here."

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Midfielder Max Sheaf has left Ross County to join English National League side Gateshead FC.

The 24-year-old made 19 appearances last season, but hasn't played for County this term.

• Ross County have lost their past 13 meetings with Celtic in all competitions since a 1-0 home league win in February 2021.

• Celtic have lost just one of their past 18 visits to Ross County in all competitions (W15 D2), winning their last seven in a row.

• Ross County have won three of their past four league games (D1), as many as their first 18 such matches of the season beforehand (W3 D6 L9). The Staggies could win three successive Scottish Premiership games for the first time since March 2022.

• Celtic have kept 17 clean sheets in 21 league games this season, at least three more than they have ever previously recorded in their opening 21 matches of a league campaign (14 in 1913-14, 1916-17, and 2003-04).

• Daizen Maeda has been directly involved in five goals in his last five league games for Celtic (3 goals, 2 assists), as many as his first 15 such appearances of this season beforehand.

Ross County manager Don Cowie will not stand in the way of players seeking to exit in search of regular football. (Press and Journal - subscription), external

Read Friday's Scottish gossip

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Ross County striker Eamonn Brophy has joined Scottish Championship side Falkirk on loan until the end of this season.

Brophy, 28, signed for County in 2023 from St Mirren and has scored eight goals in 52 appearances for the club.

Falkirk lead the Championship table by four points and have a game in hand over second-place Ayr United.

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Don Cowie says in-form Noah Chilvers "epitomises the confidence" coursing through Ross County amid their unbeaten run as summer signings show their worth.

The Staggies have taken 10 points from the past four games to rise to ninth in the Premiership, 10 points clear of bottom club St Johnstone.

Forward Chilvers, who joined in the summer, opened his County account in the 3-0 win at Dundee on Boxing Day and since then has been involved in three further goals, including scoring the winner at Pittodrie.

"The players that have come in in the summer are in a really good moment," manager Cowie said.

"Noah Chilvers is the prime example of that. He's been a massive threat for us and he probably epitomises the confidence right now.

"But it's not just him, we have a gameplan that gives him a lot of freedom but he knows he gets the freedom because of the work that's going on behind.

"We're a more dangerous team because we've got threats from a lot more areas on the pitch because there's more confidence within the team.

"Everyone is here for a reason, I believe in any player and they need to be ready to step on to the pitch at any time and make an impact."

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Ross County manager Don Cowie has been speaking to the media as his side prepare to host Celtic on Saturday.

Here are the main points:

• Cowie says nothing is happening right now on the transfer front but insists "we're always looking, we want to strengthen" and admits his squad are "a bit light" in terms of personnel.

• After a positive few weeks for County, Cowie stresses the importance and difficulty of maintaining the good run.

• On the challenge of facing the league leaders, the Staggies boss says "it doesn't get any bigger than Celtic coming here" but insists his players are feeling confident.

• On Ryan Leak's injury, Cowie says the whole squad is "devastated for him" but adds that he had surgery on Tuesday and the players are ready to "rally round him".

• On Nohan Kenneh's return, Cowie admits he was "really keen" to get the midfielder back - "he had no football at Hibs this season so he was really keen to come and I think everyone can see the impact he's had".

• Cowie is also excited about the arrival of striker Kieran Phillips, who is "a different profile" to the club's other attackers.

• Goalkeeper Jordan Amissah, who extended his stay with the Staggies has "grabbed his opportunity really well", according to the County boss.

• On potential outgoings, Cowie admits there could be "a knock-on effect" with players coming in but stresses that his side are still "light on bodies" so they will wait and see how things play out.

• On the injury front, Eli Campbell and Will Nightingale are back in full training.

• County "won't get carried away" with their good run but Cowie is pleased to have "got rid of the hoodoo away form home" and says his team are now focused on winning games at home.

• The manager also thinks his side are "a more dangerous team" as they've been getting goals from players all across the pitch, which all boils down to the confidence that's been growing.

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Ross County forward Ronan Hale is now eligible to play for Northern Ireland.

International clearance for the Belfast-born 26-year-old has come through from Fifa after a number of months of waiting for paperwork to be finalised.

Hale had previously represented the Republic of Ireland at under-19 and under-21 level.

The former Larne and Cliftonville forward, who has scored five times in 20 Scottish Premiership games for Ross County this season, is now available to be selected by Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill.

Hale, who started his career at Birmingham City, has also had spells will Derry City, Crusaders and St Patrick's Athletic.

He scored two goals in last season's Irish Cup final to help Cliftonville to their first truimph in the competition since 1979.

He then moved to Scottish Premiership side Ross County for an undisclosed fee on a three-year deal.

Image source, SNS

If you were tasked with describing Don Cowie in one word, unflappable would be a smart choice.

The Ross County manager is as cool as they come on the touchline. Never one to get too high or too low, it's a trait he's brought with him from his playing days.

Stephen McGinn was just a youngster when he followed in Cowie's footsteps with a move to Watford 15 years ago, and it was there he first saw the calmness and composure in Cowie that County fans see week in, week out.

It's a "refreshing" characteristic according to the former St Mirren and Falkirk midfielder and one which he believes is crucial to County's recent run of form.

"Going to Rugby Park and winning there, given what Derek McInnes and his players have done to that place and made that place, it's incredible and a huge result," McGinn said on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"Big credit to Don Cowie who has stayed really calm in his tone and in his forward thinking. He never really changes, whether they lose heavily or have a big win, and he was like that in his playing days, he's a former team-mate.

"He was an older player who I looked up to. I would get really emotional after games, very low and very high, but he was brilliant at putting things into perspective, and I admired him for that.

"It's something he's continued into his managerial career and I think it's really refreshing as a manager.

"Sometimes I'm looking at him thinking, 'surely you're a bit rattled now', but he's really consistent and I think it's a brilliant quality to have in a manager."

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