Ross County

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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

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

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Ross County have been drawn at home to Championship side Livingston in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup.

The tie will take place on the weekend of 18/19 January.

Jordan White, 32, urges improvement from Ross County against Rangers on Sunday after they lost 5-0 at Celtic Park. (Press and Journal - subscription), external

Read Monday's Scottish gossip

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• Callum McGregor has scored six goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other player.

• Celtic have scored in 13 of their 13 games, no team has done so more often in the Premiership this season.

• Celtic have scored in their last 22 games in the Premiership, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of 27 games from October 2022 to May 2023.

• Ross County attempted two shots in this game, the lowest total for any team in a single match in the Premiership this season.

• Celtic have scored in each of their last 22 games in the Premiership, scoring 67 goals in that run.

• Ross County have failed to score in eight of their 15 games, more often than any other team in the Premiership this season.

• Celtic have kept a clean sheet in 10 of their 13 games, more than any other in the Premiership this season.

Were you at Celtic Park or following the match elsewhere?

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

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Ross County manager Don Cowie: "I've been in that scenario as a player, I recognise the challenges, you feel like you can't breathe and the pressure becomes too much.

"I wouldn't have liked to have conceded from a set-play at 0-0. They can open you up at any time, but at set-plays you don't want to concede. You've got to stand up to that and make sure you get first contact.

"It's a massive gap. It's about realism and recognising that, but it doesn't mean you don't face the challenge face on and give the best version of yourself."

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

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Ross County's season will not hinge on defeats at Celtic Park, but their potential is being severely limited by a woeful run of form away from home.

They have not won in their last 24 league games on the road, with their last away Premiership victory dating back more than a year ago against Kilmarnock in September 2023.

Although Celtic passed up a catalogue of chances to extend their advantage in the second half, Don Cowie will take a crumb of positivity from the fact his team did not concede after the interval.

They have Hamilton to thank for that, the substitute keeper pulling off a string of fine stops from Idah and Alex Valle after replacing the injured Ross Laidlaw.

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Celtic have no fresh injury problems following their draw with Club Brugge. Odin Thiago Holm has been suffering from calf problems recently.

Will Nightingale (knee) and Max Sheaf (thigh) remain out for County.

Daldeep Kaur
BBC Sport Scotland

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Noah Chilvers is hoping to make the most of his first trip to Celtic Park when Ross County side face the league leaders on Saturday.

The 23-year-old midfielder, who joined the Staggies from Colchester in the summer, said: "It's exciting, it'll be my first experience of it.

"It was a good game here against them, we'll be looking to make it difficult for them like we did at our place.

"It's always good to test yourself against the top teams and that's what we'll be looking to do.

"It's a chance to set a marker and show how good we are as individuals and as a team and how we can compete with everybody."

Chilvers, yet to open his goal account after 14 County apperances, says he is setting small targets for himself to ensure he improves.

"I just want to do what I can every game I play, I've been getting better and better each time I'm playing," he added.

"My thing now is goals and assists which will come. I just want to keep performing and make an impact for the team."

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Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers is expecting another tough test against a Ross County side helmed by his first signing as a manager.

Rodgers' side survived a big scare against Don Cowie's County in this season's previous league meeting, with Nicolas Kuhn's 88th-minute strike sealing a 2-1 comeback win in Dingwall.

Rodgers, whose relationship with the County manager dates back to his time in charge at Watford, said: "Obviously, Don, I know well.

"He was my first ever signing as a manager, when I was manager at Watford. And 50 grand, I think he was.

"He was brilliant for me at Watford. I've always been in contact with him and followed him.

"Obviously, he worked closely with Malky [Mackay] and then he's gone out on his own, and I think he's done a really, really good job.

"The game that we played up there, I think it could be a similar type of game. They were super organised.

"They all knew the job and all knew the role. And we had to work very hard at the end to get the result."

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• Celtic have won their last 12 meetings with Ross County in all competitions since a 1-0 defeat in February 2021.

• Ross County have lost 15 of their 18 league visits to Celtic (D3), including their last 11 in a row by an aggregate score of 34-3.

• Celtic have scored at least two goals in each of their last 21 league games (62 goals total, 3.0 per game). This is the longest run of scoring more than one goal in the club's league history

• Only Hibernian (2) have earned fewer away points in the Scottish Premiership this season than Ross County (3). The Staggies are winless in 23 league games on the road (D9 L14) since beating Kilmarnock in September 2023 (1-0).

• Ross County's Ronan Hale has had more shots (46) than any other player in the Scottish Premiership this season, while he is the league's joint top scorer (5 goals).

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Don Cowie has urged Ross County to show bravery in Saturday's trip to face league leaders Celtic.

County gave the champions a huge scare in Dingwall in October, taking a first-half lead through Ronan Hale before succumbing to two late goals.

Cowie, whose side sit eighth after last Saturday's win over Motherwell, said: "I don't think there's one part of the Celtic team that you focus on too much because they're strong all over the pitch.

"Two months ago when we played them we showed we had a gameplan, it worked really well for the majority of the game. It's away from home, at Parkhead, the way they play, they make it difficult for you.

"It's just standing up to that and giving yourself the best possible opportunity to get a positive result. I want to see bravery, a togetherness. You have to stand up to the challenge.

Stick together and get through the tough moments, because there is going to be challenging moments within the 90 minutes and it's being prepared for that and responding to it."