Ross County

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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."

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Don Cowie has been speaking to the media before Ross County's away game against Celtic in the Scottish Premiership this weekend.

Here are the key lines:

• On beating Motherwell for a first win in four games, Cowie says it was an "important victory for us, it comes at a really good time".

• The County boss is now braced for "two really difficult games" with the trip to Celtic Park followed by Rangers visiting Dingwall.

• He adds: "That's why we worked as hard as we did last year, we want to be facing these teams, we want to be in the Premiership."

• Cowie praised his side's "belief" and says the Staggies have "proven we're a really strong team, especially here in Dingwall". Now he would like to see his side "replicate that away from home".

• He wants County to show "bravery and togetherness" at Celtic Park and hopes they can "stand up to the challenge" of facing the league leaders.

Ross Morren
Fan writer

The County fans got what we wanted on Saturday as Don Cowie's side delivered a deserved 2-1 win over Motherwell.

It was the positive reaction we were seeking after the 3-0 defeat against Dundee United prior to the international break.

Goals from Ronan Hale and Josh Nisbet in a strong second-half performance secured all three points. Even when Zach Robinson halved the deficit late on, the County players recomposed themselves and showed great character to see the game out.

One of the most impressive factors in the victory was the effectiveness of the County midfield. Connor Randall won the most tackles and most duels in the match, which provided the platform for Noah Chilvers to support the attack as he topped the charts for chances created, successful crosses and successful dribbles.

Alongside them was Nisbet who had his best performance in a County shirt. He had the highest pass accuracy across the 90 minutes, which was impressive, but the standout moment came in the 54th minute as Nisbet whipped the ball into the far corner from the edge of the box to open his account for the Staggies.

It was a goal of pure quality and excellent technique which fans will hope iss a sign of things to come from the Australia international.

The victory further strengthened the fortress Cowie has built in Dingwall during his time as manager. The Staggies have now picked up 80% of their total points tally so far at home, with only Aberdeen and Celtic having left Dingwall with three points this season.

It's also worth remembering Motherwell handed Cowie his first home defeat back in April in a 5-1 loss, so Saturday's performance and result highlights the progress this County side have made in a short space of time.

Ross Morren can be found at The County Corner, external

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Joshua Nisbet scored a magnificent goal in Ross County's 2-1 win over Motherwell on Saturday.

County's other goal scorer Ronan Hale is unfortunate to miss out on my team of the week, but competition up front was keen this week.

We asked for your views on Ross County's 2-1 win against Motherwell.

Here's what some of you said:

Roger: I believe County have the right management team, are finding good players to bring in, and are now being hard to beat.

Jim: Overall quite an entertaining game spoilt by some terrible refereeing decisions and an incredibly long VAR delay after the Motherwell goal. County dominated second half chances after an even first without much goalmouth action. Two well taken goals, could have been more. Credit to the 'Well fans who made it to Dingwall.

Ron: All the talk recently was about Lennon Miller but he was overshadowed by Josh Nisbet and Noah Chilvers in a midfield controlled by Connor Randall. Encouraging to make so many chances in the second half but having not converted enough of them, we were needlessly left hanging on in the end. Dull first half in driving rain but an excellent performance after the break

Watch Sportscene analysis of Ross County's 2-1 win against Motherwell.

Josh Nisbet jokes he will need to tip the striker coach at Ross County after scoring in the 2-1 win over Motherwell. (Press and Journal - subscription), external

Read Monday's Scottish gossip

Watch highlights as Ross County win 2-1 against Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership.

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• Ronan Hale has scored five goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other Ross County player.

• Lennon Miller has assisted four goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other Motherwell player.

• Ronan Hale attempted six shots in this game, the joint-highest total for a Ross County player in the Premiership this season.

• Motherwell 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 six games from 10th August 2024 to 5th October 2024.

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Ross County manager Don Cowie: "Delighted to win the game, I thought the first half hour of the second half we were excellent.

"Disappointed to concede late on but we managed to see it out and get a valuable three points.

"We attacked [the second half] really well. We built upon that and got the second goal and easily could've had a third.

"It was a fantastic goal [Joshua Nisbet] got, hopefully that's the first of many for him."

Were you in Dingwall on Saturday or following the match elsewhere?

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

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

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Joshua Nisbet's lovely goal will likely be the initial talking point among the County fanbase post-match, but that cannot detract from the eye-catching start Ronan Hale has made.

Signed from Cliftonville in the summer, the striker is a gripping watch, constantly positive in his play and determined to get shots away.

An ambitious one from the Northern Irishman sailed wide in the first half before he had a dangerous effort blocked and another parried over after the break.

He is now on eight goals for the season, with his excellent first touch and composed finish for the opener highlighting why he is already on such an impressive tally after just 17 games.

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George Harmon returns for Ross County but Will Nightingale (knee) and Max Sheaf (thigh) remain out.

Motherwell defender Liam Gordon returns from suspension but the Steelmen remain without Stephen O'Donnell (hamstring), Paul McGinn (thigh), Callum Slattery, Sam Nicholson (both knee), Ross Callachan (hamstring) and Jack Vale (calf).

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Josh Nisbet is targeting a first goal in Scottish football when Ross County take on Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday.

The Australia international has made 11 league appearances for County since signing from Central Coast Mariners in the summer, and the diminuative midfielder says there has been a step up in physicality from Australia's A-League.

"I have been playing a bit deeper than I have previously, it's something I definitely want, get one and keep getting on," Nisbet said.

"The longer it goes, the more you want it so hopefully I can get one this weekend.

"It's a little bit different, probably more aggression compared to what I'm used to.

"But each league has got it's own qualities and one of the reasons that I came here was to prove the physicality, that I can compete and do well."

The Staggies are ninth in the league table, three points behind St Mirren in sixth, and Nisbet is looking upwards as the festive period comes into view.

"Every game is winnable, you've got to go in there with the right mindset, this league is quite strong and competitive and if you can get points against tough opposition, it goes a long way," he said.

"We know as long as we show up on the day we're going to get points and those points lead into positions, so as long as we perform and do our jobs, it's in our hands, hopefully we can push on."

Daldeep Kaur
BBC Sport Scotland

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Ross County sit ninth in the Premiership, but will be looking to improve their scoring stats if they are to avoid another relegation dogfight this season.

The Staggies are the lowest scorers in the top flight, netting just 10 in 13 games.

They are underperforming their xG (expected goals) of 11.57 - which is also the lowest in the division - while their shot conversion rate of 7.46% is better than just one club, Hibs.

County's lack of attacking punch is further illustrated by the fact they've had the fewest touches in the opposition box (183), while only Motherwell have had less possession than the Dingwall side's average of 39.4%.

At the other end of the pitch, the Staggies are fifth in the table for goals conceded, with 21 goals hitting the back of their net, slightly higher than their expected tally of 19.28.

County are one of only three teams who have not made any errors leading to goals, alongside Rangers and Celtic.

We asked you what the one thing nobody is talking about in relation to Ross County - good or bad.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Michael: Keep doing what they are doing, confidence comes off the back of good results, so keep probing, these players are good enough. My only advice would be to test the keeper, be sharper than the opponents.

Craig: Feels like we are playing for draws. Don't get the ball forward quick enough. Don't create enough chances. Crying out for wingers (bought Jay Henderson, never gave him a chance and shipped him out) to put balls into the box. Five at the back is so negative. Feel sorry for our strikers in recent years.

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• Ross County have won just one of their last 10 league meetings with Motherwell (D3 L6), a 3-0 victory in December 2023.

• Motherwell have won five of their last seven top-flight trips to Ross County (L2), as many as their first 13 such visits beforehand (W5 D3 L5).

• Ross County have failed to score in each of their last three league games, recording just five shots on target (29 shots total), 2.1 xG and only one big chance in those three combined. The Staggies last went four games without a goal in the Scottish Premiership in January 2023.

• Motherwell have won their last two league games (both 2-1), and could win three in a row for the first time since September 2023.

• Tawanda Maswanhise has been directly involved in each of Motherwell's last four league goals (3 goals, 1 assist). Should he score against Ross County, he will be the youngest player to score in three successive Scottish Premiership appearances for Motherwell (22 years, 3 days) since Mika Biereth in November 2023 (20y 266d).

Ross County are looking to extend their Premiership stay to a seventh season without the need for another nerve-shredding play-off.

The Staggies, who currently sit ninth, continue to do their best work at home, while their away form leaves a lot to be desired.

But what is the one thing nobody is talking about in relation to County - good or bad?

Let us know., external

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Don Cowie says Ross County's home record gives the players "real belief" as they look to deliver a strong response to the listless 3-0 defeat at Dundee United.

That loss before the international halted County's three-game unbeaten run and left them in eighth place, four points above bottom club Hibs.

Motherwell are the visitors on Saturday to Dingwall, where the Staggies' only defeats this season have come against top two Celtic and Aberdeen.

"Our performance levels at home have been really strong, there's a real belief here among the group," said manager Cowie.

"There's real evidence for the group to look back on, it gives them confidence when they play here, they look back at what they've achieved and the results that they've had and that grows.

"I say it all the time, consistency is key. We had three games prior to Dundee United where we were really consistent, really solid, picked up five points in three games.

"Then we let ourselves down by losing 3-0 away to Dundee United, but one thing about this group is they've responded really well when they've faced adversity after a poor result and this is an opportunity to do that again."

Cowie is braced for a difficult task against former County boss Stuart Kettlewell's Motherwell, who occupy fifth place and are seeking a third straight away win.

"We're playing against a really good team, who've had a fantastic season so far," he added.

"They got to the League Cup semi-final, they're sitting in the top half of the table for a reason. They've been really consistent and we're expecting a really tough challenge."

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Don Cowie has been speaking to the media before Ross County's return to Premiership action against Motherwell on Saturday.

Here are the key lines from his press conference:

• Cowie wants his side to bounce back from a "really disappointing" 3-0 defeat against Dundee United last time out, in which County capitulated after a "a good first-half performance".

• He adds: "One thing about this group is they've responded when they've faced adversity and this is an opportunity to do that again."

• He insists there's a "real belief among the group" and says their "performance levels at home have been really strong".

• On Motherwell, he says: "They're "a really good team who've had a fantastic season so far. They've been really consistent and we're expecting a really tough challenge."

• With a packed festive schedule, including a trip away to Celtic, Cowie says "every game is really difficult in this league" and stresses the importance of not looking too far ahead.

• With the transfer window opening in January, the County boss says he has a "strong and healthy" squad but is "always evaluating".

• He adds: "There will be players that are disappointed with the lack of game-time but they're all here for a reason, because I believe in them. If something does happen in January, it wont be too dramatic."