Ross County

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.

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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."

Listen and subscribe to daily episodes of the Scottish Football Podcast on BBC Sounds

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Goalkeeper Jordan Amissah has extended his deal with Ross County until the end of the season.

The 23-year-old, who arrived on a one-month contract in December following an injury to Ross Laidlaw, has kept two clean sheets to help County to 10 points from 12 in his four appearances.

Manager Don Cowie said: "We are delighted to have Jordan extend his deal. He has been a big part of the group and performed well in his time with us so far."

County last week opened an investigation into racial abuse of Amissah following the club's 2-1 win at Aberdeen.

The 23-year-old German, who is of Ghanaian descent, shared a image on Instagram of monkey emojis and racial slurs he received from an anonymous account.

Ross Morren
Fan writer

Two weeks ago, an away victory in the Premiership was beginning to feel like a distant dream.

The dream became reality when the Staggies battered Dundee 3-0 at Dens Park on Boxing Day. County fans were delighted with that victory as a late Christmas present, but the best was yet to come.

If you could go back in time and tell a Ross County fan they'd win back-to-back away matches in the Premiership, they almost certainly wouldn't believe you.

If you could tell them the Staggies would pick up three consecutive Premiership victories on the road for the first time in the club's history, they'd call you delusional.

The Dingwall side had to wait 481 days for an away Premiership victory - they've now picked up three in just 11 days. It's an unbelievable turnaround.

A 2-1 victory against Aberdeen at Pittodrie was followed up with a 1-0 win against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park to give Don Cowie's side the perfect start to 2025. The Staggies displayed a level of confidence and assurance which will continue to grow with every positive result on the road.

The strikes across the two matches from Akil Wright, Noah Chilvers and George Harmon will all be goal of the season contenders come May. It's going to take something special to beat Wright's outrageous wonder strike from 30 yards.

The Staggies' haul of 10 points from their four matches across the festive period is more than any other Premiership side have picked up across the same period. That form is even more remarkable when you consider County have had to travel 938 miles for their matches across the past 11 days, which is the highest in the league.

Don Cowie, his staff and players didn't use the travel or schedule as an excuse and all deserve huge credit for the performances and results over the festive period.

Ross Morren can be found at The County Corner, external

County fans, we asked for you January transfer window wishlist.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Wendy: They most definitely need to keep Jordan White and Alex Samuel.

John: White and Eamonn Brophy should be moved on. Bring in a forward. Perhaps Liam Boyce can help Ronan Hale progress his game...

Keith: Anyone who can run with the ball and shoot, players with pace.

Jim: Consistently we lack pace on turnovers, both attacking and defending. An exciting winger or wide midfielder with pace and some goals and a covering central defender with pace to match some of the strong, pacey forwards in the league. We could then more readily play four at the back with an extra midfielder where we often get overrun.

Calum: Wingers, wingers, wingers, wingers and wingers.

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Ross County have signed Huddersfield Town striker Kieran Phillips on a two-and-a-half year deal.

The 24-year-old joins the Staggies following a loan spell with USL side Sacramento Republic where he scored 15 goals in 31 games.

He is County's second signing of the January window, following Nohan Kenneh, who signed on loan from Hibernian.

"We are delighted to sign Kieran," manager Don Cowie told club media, external.

"We identified him in the summer but had to be patient while he was on loan at Sacramento.

"He had a fantastic spell there scoring a lot of goals. Kieran is a different profile to our current forwards and we all look forward to working with him."