Ross County

In: Ronan Hale, forward (Cliftonville, undisclosed); Joshua Nisbet, (Central Coast Mariners); Ricki Lamie, defender (Motherwell); Jack Hamilton, goalkeeper (Livingston); Charlie Telfer, midfielder (Airdrieonians); Noah Chilvers, midfielder (Colchester United, undisclosed); Akil Wright, defender (Stockport County, undisclosed).

Loan in: Eli Campbell, defender (Everton); Aidan Denholm, midfielder (Heart of Midlothian); Kacper Lopata, defender (Barnsley); Jack Grieves, midfielder (Watford); Will Nightingale, defender (Wimbledon).

Out: Simon Murray, forward (Dundee, undisclosed); Jack Baldwin, defender (Northampton Town, undisclosed); Yan Dhanda, midfielder (Hearts); Ross Callachan, midfielder (Motherwell); Kyle Turner, midfielder (Partick Thistle); Josh Sims, midfielder (Yeovil Town); Adam Mackinnon, midfielder (Inverness Caledonian Thistle); Jordan Tillson, midfielder (Bath City); Matthew Wright, forward (Nairn County); Adam Mackinnon, midfielder.

Loan ended: Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, defender (Slask Wroclaw); George Wickens, goalkeeper (Fulham); Eli King, midfielder (Cardiff City); Brandon Khela, midfielder (Birmingham City); Loick Ayina, defender (Huddersfield Town); Teddy Jenks, midfielder (Forest Green Rovers).

Loan out: Jay Henderson, midfielder (Ayr United); Dylan Smith, defender (Arbroath); Connall Ewan, defender (Inverness Caledonian Thistle); George Robeston, forward (Brora Rangers); Andrew Macleod, midfielder (Brora Rangers); Calum Brown, forward (Forres Mechanics); Alister Morrison. defender (Nairn County).

Read Scottish Premiership ins & outs in full here.

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Ross County manager Don Cowie is challenging his players to find a way to hurt Celtic in their Scottish Premiership match in Dingwall on Sunday.

It's three and half years since County's last home win over their visitors, a 1-0 win behind closed doors due to Covid, with Jordan White netting that winner.

But Cowie believes his side can build on their solidity of late and cause problems for Brendan Rodgers' side.

"Our defensive structure has been really good," he told BBC Scotland.

"We've been scoring goals and it's trying to put both of them things together in the same match.

"Every team has certain weaknesses that you've got to try and exploit. Not that Celtic have many, but that's the question that we're posing the players.

"How do we hurt them going the other way?"

Domestically, Celtic have been flying but come into this after a 7-1 Champions League humbling at the hands of Borussia Dortmund in Germany.

In the Premiership they have won all six fixtures, scoring 20 goals and are yet to concede.

"They've been outstanding in the league so far," Cowie continued.

"[It] was probably their their first blip of the season, but it's very easily done in terms of the quality they're coming up against. Borussia Dortmund were Champions League finalists last year.

"The concentration levels have to be at a top level you know because they they pose many questions of you in terms of what they have on the pitch.

"At the same time always trying to be a threat going the opposite way.

"We've been that, especially here at home."

Former Hearts, Dundee United and St Johnstone defender Ryan McGowan says non-Old Firm fans will have enjoyed Celtic and Rangers being given a "taste of their own medicine" by "taking a pasting" in Europe against teams with a bigger budget.

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Ross County were denied a famous win at Tynecastle last weekend as Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland headed an equaliser deep into stoppage time.

County had led through Ronan Hale's sumptuous strike - his sixth goal in 10 games this season.

But, in Celtic, the Dingwall side and Hale are up against a team yet to concede a Premiership goal all season, though they did lose 7-1 to Champions League opponents Borussia Dortmund in midweek.

County's Hale, 26, could bolster his burgeoning reputation by finding the net.

Read all the weekend Premiership picks

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Campbell Money has joined Ross County as their new football development director.

The 64-year-old former St Mirren goalkeeper moves to Dingwall after more than a decade's service as Club Academy Scotland manager at the Scottish FA.

Money will be responsible for County’s academy, transition group and the women’s first team.

"We are delighted to have Campbell on board," said County CEO Steven Ferguson.

"He brings a wealth of experience to the club with his past roles in playing, coaching, managing and most recently in the development side of the game.

"He will work closely with our already established academy and women's departments as we look to expand and grow both of these."

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• Ross County have lost each of their last 11 meetings with Celtic in all competitions since a 1-0 win in February 2021.

• Celtic have lost just one of their last 17 away games against Ross County in all competitions (W14 D2), winning their last six in a row.

• Ross County have only secured one win in their last 10 league games (D6 L3), a 2-0 victory over Dundee in September.

• Celtic have won all six of their league games this season without conceding; the Hoops have never won their opening seven league matches of a campaign while also keeping a clean sheet each time before.

• Callum McGregor has scored four goals in Celtic's last five league games, as many as his previous 48 Scottish Premiership appearances beforehand combined. McGregor last netted more than four goals in a single campaign in the division in 2019-20 (9).

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Ross County midfielder Andrew Macleod has joined Brora Rangers on a season-long loan.

The 19-year-old has had loan spells with Nairn County, Clachnacuddin and Brora Rangers previously.

Macleod made his first-team debut against Stranraer in the League Cup this season.

"We feel moving to Brora, a club which we have a great relationship with, gives him the opportunity to continue his development and get regular first-team football," said manager Don Cowie.

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Don Cowie has been talking to BBC Scotland before Sunday's game with Premiership leaders Celtic.

Here are the key points:

• Cowie insists he's seen a "real spirit" over the past number of weeks and a "real unity" in the team that brings optimism ahead of the Celtic match.

• The former Scotland international believes the 7-1 thumping Celtic suffered at Borussia Dortmund midweek "can happen when you come up against real quality," and says Brendan Rodgers' side have been "outstanding in the league so far".

• He believes concentration will be key given the questions Celtic will pose but County will need to retain a threat and be clincial when chances come to get a result, adding that "every team has certain weaknesses that you've got to try and exploit."

• Cowie also explained that despite the disappointment of losing a late injury-time equaliser to Hearts last time out, his side were "excellent in terms of defending throughout the whole game" and over the last four league matches, they've been "really solid."

• Ricki Lamie is back in training but more likely to return after the international break. Josh Reid may make the squad for this one and Will Nightingale is likely to miss out.

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Ross County manager Don Cowie says "there's no such thing as a free hit" as his side prepare to welcome Celtic.

The Dingwall club have picked up seven points from their opening seven games and sit seventh in the Scottish Premiership table.

"I say every time there's no such thing as a free hit," Cowie said as his side prepare for the visit of the champions.

"You take each game as it comes on merit. We understand it's a challenge, they've been in excellent form domestically. It's one we have to embrace and look forward to.

"Celtic are a relentless team no matter who they're playing against.

"They'll be disappointed with the result last night but for us, facing a team like Celtic, it's very similar to what they were up against last night - a team with massive quality and a big budget and that's what we're up against.

"This is why we work so hard every year to be in the top division to welcome the best teams like Celtic.

"So when it comes along it's about embracing it, making the most of it and giving a good account of ourselves."

Ross Morren
Fan writer

When Ross Laidlaw made a stunning save from Lawrence Shankland deep into stoppage time, it looked like Ross County were going to leave Tynecastle with all three points.

The cheer from the away end following that late Laidlaw save was nearly as loud as the one which followed Ronan Hale's stunning strike in the first half to open the scoring.

However, the away end would be silenced in the 96th minute.

Just as it looked like the Staggies were about to pick up their first away win in the Premiership in over a year, Yan Dhanda's corner was met by Shankland who stooped low to head the ball into the back of the net and break County hearts.

The equaliser felt like the only time a County defender didn't make first contact with the ball from a cross or a set-piece. The backline of Akil Wright, Kacper Lopata and Ryan Leak were absolutely phenomenal throughout the 90 minutes when defending their own box. Leak's block from Alan Forrest's shot which looked destined to find the back of the net typified the defensive resilience and desire in the County back three.

In front of them, Connor Randall returned to Tynecastle to face his former club and put in an outstanding captain's performance. He was relentless in his efforts to nullify Hearts' attacking threat throughout the match and provided the defensive platform to allow Noah Chilvers and Josh Nisbet to get forward and support the attacks.

Don Cowie will want his side to maintain the performance levels that they produced at Tynecastle when he goes up against Brendan Rodgers for the first time in his managerial career as Celtic travel to Dingwall on Sunday.

Cowie played for Rodgers during their time together at Watford and he'll be well aware of the style and quality of play the Celtic manager demands from his sides.

With Celtic travelling from Dortmund to Dingwall in just a matter of days, County fans will be hoping their side can try and take advantage of any potential European hangover the Glasgow side might be suffering from and pull off a shock result.

Ross Morren can be found on The County Corner, external.

Rangers' trip to Dingwall in December has been selected for television coverage.

Don Cowie's side were due to host the Ibrox side in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday, 7 December, but it has been moved back a day.

Kick-off in the Highlands on Sunday, 8 December will be 12 noon.

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Spending the season on-loan at Arbroath is "a great opportunity" for Dylan Smith and his development, says manager Don Cowie.

The defender has joined the Scottish League 1 side for the remainder of the campaign in search of regular game time.

The Scotland youth international has endured a "frustrating time" with injury, but the move to the Red Lichties is hoped to help his case for more action with Ross County on his return.

The 18-year-old has made 23 appearances for the Dingwall side, but Arbroath offers a "competitive" challenge added Cowie.

"Dylan has progressed really well after a frustrating time with injury last season and we feel this is a great opportunity for him to continue his development at a really competitive level," he told the club website.

"We look forward to Dylan returning to push for regular football in our first team."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

So close, yet so far for Don Cowie's side who almost recorded a fine victory at Tynecastle before Hearts' 96th-minute equaliser.

They had been put ahead by a wonderful Ronan Hale strike, curling in from the edge of the area to beat Craig Gordon all ends up in the Hearts goal. Another to add to the Irishman's showreel.

At the back, Hearts struggled to break them down and that was in large part due to the impressive performance of Ryan Leak.

Watch highlights as Hearts draw 1-1 against Ross County in the Scottish Premiership.

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Ronan Hale scored his sixth goal of the season with Ross County's opener in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Hearts in the Scottish Premiership (UK only).

We asked for your views on Ross County's 1-1 draw against Hearts.

Here's what some of you said:

Ronny: As much as we defended well today and Ross Laidlaw had very little to do, you're asking for trouble when you start to fall deeper and deeper after 60 minutes. Had a couple of half chances - and one big one - to put the game to bed, so to concede another 97th minute goal feels very much like two points dropped right now.

Michael: Ross County are looking like no pushover. Don Cowie's moulded a good squad with tremendous character and when they click they will rise up the table. A small enclave north east of Inverness fighting for its existence week in, week out - best club in the world.

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• Hearts have failed to win in their last nine games in the Premiership. Their last longer winless streak was from 23rd November 2019 to 22nd January 2020, a run of 10 games.

• Ross County have scored in their last three games in the Premiership, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of four games from 4th May 2024 to 19th May 2024.

• Kye Rowles attempted 103 passes in this game, the highest total for a Hearts player in the Premiership this season.

• Ross County have lost four points from winning positions in the Premiership this season, only Dundee United (six) and St. Mirren (seven) have lost more.

Did you attend Ross County's draw with Hearts or were you following from home?

Click here, external to have your say on the match.

Ross County manager Don Cowie: "I'm seeing a group of players that are working ever so hard for each other, putting their bodies on the line.

"We see out that last corner, we go away with three points. It's not to be but I'm extremely proud of the group.

"I don't think it's ever in the bag. You've got to just keep going until that final whistle."

Andy Campbell, BBC Scotland

Ross County appeared to be ready for a Hearts reaction following Steven Naismith's departure as head coach. They set up to repel their hosts and restricted them for extended periods.

Going forward, they had to make the most of counters and set pieces, Nathan Chilvers flashing an effort over from a corner prior to the opener.

And, after the Ronan Hale opener, the striker elected to shoot rather than play in Jordan White as Hearts were caught on the break again. The eventual shot was deflected into Craig Gordon's hands when White seemed better placed.

Losing such a late goal will be a disappointment but they go into next week's visit of champions Celtic with two draws and a win since the last international break.

Ross County were denied by a late, late goal against Hearts but the goal they scored themselves came from the impressive Ronan Hale.

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Liam Fox makes five changes to the Hearts line-up in his first match in interim charge following Steven Naismith's departure.

A new look defence comprises Adam Forrester, Frankie Kent and Kye Rowles alongside Stephen Kingsley, who is the only survivor from last week's back four.

In midfield, Cammy Devlin takes over from Malachi Boateng while Alan Forrest replaces Blair Spittal.

Fox's team looks like a 4-3-3 with Forrest and Kenneth Vargas either side of captain Lawrence Shankland as the hosts look to arrest an 11-match winless streak that stretches back to May and includes eight successive defeats.

Just one change for Ross County following last week's draw with St Johnstone. Michee Efete replaces James Brown in midfield.

Hearts: Gordon, Forrester, Kent, Rowles, Kingsley, Grant, Baningime, Devlin, Forrest, Shankland, Vargas.

Substitutes: Clark, Halkett, Oyegoke, McKay, Spittal, Dhanda, Tait, Boyce, Penrice.

Ross County: Laidlaw, Campbell, Wright, Lopata, Leak, Efete, Nisbet, Randall, Chilvers, Hale, White.

Substitutes: Hamilton, Brown, Loturi, Grieves, Telfer, Samuel, Brophy, Smith, Nightingale.