Ross County

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Ross County striker Alex Samuel says he is currently having his "most enjoyable time at the club" as they get ready for a crucial run of games, starting at Hibs on Saturday.

The Staggies are eighth in the Scottish Premiership, despite winning just one of their last six, but Samuel is still appreciating being involved.

"It's been great. Probably my most enjoyable time at the club," the striker said. "To be involved and being a part of the team has been great.

"It's been something I've really relished and have been excited about."

Don Cowie's side next face Hibs at Easter Road, having not won away from home in the league all season, but Samuel hopes a win in the capital can kickstart a solid run of results over the festive period.

"It's huge," Samuel said. "We know the magnitude of the game, how important it is and obviously it's the start of a big run of games over the Christmas period.

"So it's really important for us to do well and to start us off on a good run.

"It would mean everything and I think it's a perfect opportunity to get it done Saturday.

"We've got to fully believe we can do it. That's what we're doing, believing that we can take the three points away from home."

Andy Campbell
BBC Sport Scotland

Sitting eighth, Ross County are above some of their more illustrious Premiership rivals, including Edinburgh's big two.

However, Don Cowie's side have been beaten in their past two games, conceding eight goals in the process to Glasgow's big two.

Another loss to Hibernian at Easter Road and the Staggies could be dragged into those less comfortable positions.

They drew 0-0 with Hibs in Dingwall back in October and are unbeaten in their past three meetings with the Leith side.

The challenge for Cowie is to mastermind County's first Easter Road win in 23 months and in the process stave off any advance of Kilmarnock, St Johnstone and/or Hearts.

Read all the weekend Premiership picks

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"We need to put an end to it."

Another week, another chance for Ross County to finally chalk up a win on their travels.

This Saturday it's a trip to bottom club Hibs as the Staggies seek a first Premiership away victory in 25 attempts, a miserable record stretching back to September last year.

"Yeah, I say every time it comes around, I get asked the question, rightly so, it's a record that we need to break, we need to put an end to it," County boss Don Cowie said.

"We're working hard to try and do that and Saturday is another opportunity.

"It will be a really difficult game against, I believe, a good team, despite where they sit in the league right now."

The unwanted statistics don't end there for the Dingwall side, as they currently rank bottom of the league for goals scored, with just 12 in 16 games.

Cowie added: "We need to score more goals, at the same time we need to create more chances, but it's about being calm.

"We are sitting eighth in the league for a reason, because there are aspects we have done well, but if we can improve, that gives us the opportunity to get up the table."

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• Only Celtic (307) and Rangers (268) have had more shots in the Premiership this season than Hibs (216), with David Gray's side also third behind the Old Firm for expected goals (22.7). Despite this, only two teams – Kilmarnock (17) and Ross County (12) – have scored fewer goals than the Edinburgh side (18).

• Hibs have only lost one of their last five home league games against Ross County (W3 D1), going down 2-0 in November 2022 under Lee Johnson.

• Ross County are unbeaten in three league meetings with Hibs (W1 D2); only in their first four top-flight games against the Easter Road side from October 2012 to August 2013 have the Staggies ever avoided defeat in four successive encounters against them in the top tier.

• Hibs are winless in five home league games (D3 L2), but haven't gone six without a home win in the Scottish Premiership since February-May 2014 under Terry Butcher, when they were relegated.

• Ross County have lost their last two league games by an aggregate score of 8-0 (5-0 v Celtic, 3-0 v Rangers). The Staggies last lost three successive Scottish Premiership matches in February last season (4 in a row), and last did so without scoring in December 2020 (5 in a row).

Ross County manager Don Cowie hopes to sign a winger in January. (Press and Journal - subscription), external

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Defender Akil Wright is keenly aware of how important an away win against Hibs could be for Ross County this weekend.

The Staggies fell to a 3-0 home defeat against Rangers on Sunday and have three wins in 16 league games. They currently sit eighth in the top flight, three clear of bottom-placed Hibs.

Don Cowie's side have failed to win away from home in seven top-flight attempts this campaign and face a tricky trip to Easter Road on Saturday.

"It's a massive game and we need to turn our away form around. What a time it would be to do it," said Wright.

"There's a lot of pressure on both teams, but we're looking forward to it.

"There are a lot of positives but if you lose 3-0 there are negatives that we want to improve on and work on.

"We're working hard in training this week to get ready for the game on Saturday.

"Scoring goals from every area of the pitch will help the team going forward, from defence to up front.

"We've not scored an away goal in a while [since a 1-1 draw at Hearts on September 28] so what a time it would be to do it and hopefully end our drought of not winning away from home.

"We want to increase the gap [on Hibs] to six points."

Ross Morren
Fan writer

Ross County fans were hoping their side would draw inspiration from their last match against Rangers in Dingwall and pick up another famous victory.

A 3-2 win in April marked the first time the Staggies were victorious against Rangers at the 26th time of asking. So, could they make it back-to-back wins in Dingwall against the team from Govan?

Unfortunately, lightning didn't strike twice.

At least County's performance in the 3-0 defeat was a big improvement on the one at Celtic Park the previous weekend.

The front pairing of Ronan Hale and Alex Samuel caused the Rangers backline problems with their pace and movement, while Noah Chilvers and Akil Wright were unlucky not to get on the scoresheet thanks to saves from Jack Butland.

Similar to the match against Celtic, County had shown a positive reaction after conceding early on and settled into the match. However, once Danilo pounced on Jack Hamilton's mistake to make it 2-0, the Staggies had a mountain to climb.

Don Cowie's side didn't let the game run away from them in the same manner as the week prior and competed well in the second half. Hamilton made some good saves which will hopefully help to rebuild his confidence.

County fans know their season won't be defined by matches against Celtic or Rangers. The last couple of games have been tough but Cowie will be keen for his side to put those defeats behind them and focus on a huge match this weekend against Hibs at Easter Road.

Ross Morren can be found at The County Corner, external

Were you at the match to see Ross County's good home form slip against Rangers or did you follow the 3-0 defeat elsewhere?

Either way, we want your views on the game - have your say, external.

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• Rangers have scored in each of their last seven games in the Premiership, scoring 15 goals in that run.

• Rangers have kept a clean sheet in each of their last three games in the Premiership, a run of 365 minutes without conceding a goal.

• Ross County have failed to score in nine of their 16 games, more often than any other team in the Premiership this season.

• Rangers' three straight Premiership clean sheets is their longest run of games without conceding a goal in the competition since a run of six games from 1 December 2021 to 26 December 2021.

Watch the best of the action as Rangers put three unanswered goals past Ross County in Dingwall. (UK only)

Ross County manager Don Cowie: "We recognise we're playing a very good team. At 1-0, I was content. We were still in the game.

"We gift them a second goal and that makes it really difficult. Jack [Hamilton] had done really well up until that point in the game. Maybe he just got caught out slightly in terms of the tempo of the game. The timing of it wasn't ideal. We're not going to get caught too much up in it. For the majority of today, he did really well.

"Akil [Wright] gets a really good opportunity from the corner, which he believes he should score. Those are the moments you have to take when you're playing against a really good team."

After beating Rangers for the first time in their history at the same ground in April, Ross County sent a couple of early warnings to their visitors with long-range Alex Samuel and Ronan Hale efforts off target - both the result of counter attacks.

It was a tempo they could not maintain and Don Cowie's side struggled to cope with Rangers' movement - but, credit to County, their heads did not go down after the second goal.

Either of Akil Wright's headers could have reduced the deficit to 2-1, his first deflected wide and the second only stopped by Jack Butland's prowess.

Next for Cowie's side is a Premiership trip to face Hibernian on Saturday (15:00).

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Ross County goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw is facing the next two months on the sidelines with a knee injury, meaning new signing Jordan Amissah could make his debut.

Centre-back Kacper Lopata is out with a back problem, while Aidan Denholm and Ricki Lamie are doubtful with the injuries that kept them out last weekend. Will Nightingale (knee) and Max Sheaf (thigh) remain unavailable.

Long-time injured Rangers wingers Oscar Cortes and Rabbi Matondo are in full training again and will be assessed. Tom Lawrence is working his way back to fitness while Neraysho Kasanwirjo (knee) remains sidelined.

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Ross County have signed goalkeeper Jordan Amissah on a "short-term deal".

Amissah and Jack Hamilton will compete for the number one jersey after Ross Laidlaw was ruled out for at least two months with a knee injury.

Amissah, 23, came through the ranks of Schalke 04 and Borussia Dortmund before joining Sheffield United.

He has since had loan spells at Guiseley, Spennymoor Town and Burton Albion, and was released by the Blades in the summer.

"We are delighted to add Jordan to the group," said County boss Don Cowie.

"With Ross Laidlaw out for a period of time, we felt it was really important to add another goalkeeper to our squad."

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Don Cowie is hopeful his Ross County side can use home advantage to stun Rangers again.

County have only lost three of their 19 games at home since the 41-year-old took over.

A highlight of Cowie's reign so far was a 3-2 victory over Rangers in April and he is eyeing a repeat on Sunday.

"The group's changed slightly, in terms of the squad that played in that game, but we've continued the good performances and results at home since that game," said Cowie.

"I think I've got a team that feel very comfortable playing here in Dingwall. We make it really difficult for whoever comes and that needs to be the foundation of this football club.

"We're looking to try and continue that again this week, despite playing against a top team."

The County boss has no concerns about handing Jack Hamilton a first Premiership start in 11 months after first-choice goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw was ruled out until the new year with a knee injury he picked up in the 5-0 defeat against Celtic.

Hamilton came on early in the second half last weekend despite being plagued by illness in the lead-up to the match, and helped to prevent the champions adding any further goals.

"Naturally, it's a blow," said Cowie of Laidlaw's injury.

"He's a really consistent goalkeeper who's done really well for our football club but, at the same time, it gives someone else an opportunity.

"Jack came on on Saturday in a really difficult moment – the scoreline, not played a lot of football – and played excellently in the second half.

"Jack hadn't been with the group since Wednesday I think it was, and he didn't meet the group until actually at Celtic Park at 1.30 on Saturday.

"He put himself forward to make himself available and it just shows the character that he's got to come on and perform as good as he did."

With Celtic disappearing over the horizon, attention turns to the next best in the Premiership standings.

Aberdeen have stumbled in recent weeks, allowing Rangers to make up ground. The gap is four points with the Ibrox side having a game in hand.

Rangers have now displaced the Dons at the top of the home form table - and did so in style, hitting Kilmarnock for six.

A front four including Danilo, Hamza Igamane and Ianis Hagi really clicked on Wednesday, but those three have not had much football of late and Philippe Clement may consider rotation for Sunday, with Tottenham coming to Ibrox next week.

Rangers also put six past Ross County in their last meeting in Glasgow, but only Celtic and Aberdeen have left Dingwall with maximum points this season - and both needed late goals.

County are aiming for back-to-back home wins over Rangers too, having got the better of the visitors for the first time in 25 attempts in April.

Toiling on their domestic travels has been a recent theme for Rangers, who picked up just their second away win of the term against St Johnstone last weekend thanks to an own goal. In those six league road trips, they have scored three and conceded six.

Clement needs to build momentum for what promises to be an intriguing contest to hang on to the leaders' coattails.

Read all the weekend's Premiership picks

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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County chief executive Steven Ferguson has been speaking to BBC Scotland before Sunday's Premiership visit of Rangers.

Here are the key points:

• County have "already felt the wrath of Rangers this season" - losing 6-0 at Hampden in August - but "fancy our chances against anybody at home".

• Ferguson says this season is the toughest Premiership "in a long time" and he is "committed" to avoiding a third consecutive relegation play-off.

• On the 3-2 win over Rangers last season, which torpedoed the Ibrox side's title charge: "That day was just as important to us as it was to Rangers."

• On the tough times generally for most clubs: "The landscape has changed since Covid. What's important is that we live within our means."

• Ferguson says the club are "really proud" to have "brought Premiership football to the Highlands in 11 of the last 12 years".

• He adds: "It wasn't that long ago the two national trophies were sitting in the Highlands. We will be flying the flag until Inverness can get themselves back up through the leagues."

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• Ross County's 3-2 win in their last home game against Rangers in April last season is their only victory in 26 meetings with the Gers in all competitions (D4 L21).

• Rangers have won 18 of their last 20 league meetings with Ross County (D1 L1), winning their most recent 6-0 in August – their biggest ever win over the Staggies in all competitions.

• Ross County have failed to score in four of their last five league games (W1 D2 L2), as many as their previous 14 beforehand. The Staggies have lost two of their last three in the league (W1), as many as their previous eight prior to this (W2 D4).

• Just 24% of Rangers' Scottish Premiership points this season have been won in away games (7/29), while Ross County have won their largest share of their points at home this term (80% - 12/15).

• As well as being the joint top scorer in the Scottish Premiership this season (6 goals), Rangers' Václav Cerny has also created more chances than any other player so far (33).

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Ross County keeper Ross Laidlaw will be out for eight to 10 weeks with a knee injury, the club have confirmed.

Laidlaw sustained the damage in last Saturday's 5-0 defeat by Celtic where he was replaced by Jack Hamilton early in the second half.

County's statement added: "We wish Ross all the very best with his recovery."

Ross Morren
Fan writer

There aren't many tougher tasks in Scottish football than facing a Celtic side full of confidence and on top form. That was the challenge that faced Ross County on Saturday as they travelled to Glasgow to face Brendan Rodgers' side.

The Staggies witnessed first hand how ruthless Celtic can be as the hosts ran out 5-0 winners, with all five goals coming in the first forty minutes of the match.

Against better quality opposition, you don't want to show them any signs of encouragement. In the opening exchanges, County did well to stand firm against the early Celtic onslaught from open play and looked like they'd settled into the game well. Unfortunately, the positive start unravelled from a simple set piece where Luke McCowan's corner found Liam Scales unmarked in the box - a hugely frustrating concession.

Despite the early setback, Don Cowie's side quickly recomposed themselves and looked comfortable in their shape for the following 15 minutes as they tried to build their way back into the game. However, Eli Campbell failed to close down McCowan quickly enough as the Celtic midfielder turned and fired the ball beyond Ross Laidlaw to double Celtic's lead.

With all the momentum with the home side, things went bad to worse for the Staggies as goals from Paulo Bernardo, Calum McGregor and Adam Idah in the space of five minutes put the home side 5-0 up in a display of ruthless finishing. At that point, some County fans feared Celtic would hit double figures by full-time.

Thankfully, Celtic failed to further add to the scoreline in the second half. This was due to the impressive performance of goalkeeper Jack Hamilton, who replaced the injured Ross Laidlaw on the stroke of half-time and made several key saves. It must have been a daunting feeling to come onto the park at 5-0 down, but Hamilton stood up to the challenge really well.

Ross Morren can be found on the County Corner podcast., external

Goalkeeper Jack Hamilton, 30, draws praise from Ross County manager Don Cowie after overcoming illness to feature as a half-time substitute in the 5-0 loss at Celtic Park. (Press and Journal - subscription), external

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