Ross County

BBC Sport Scotland chief sportswriter Tom English has been answering your questions.

Graham asked: Would the Scottish Premiership be a better league with more teams? If so, how many more?

Tom answered: A 16-team league would bring a bit more variety, Graham. It would freshen things up and make it a bit more interesting for fans.

Whether the quality would improve is very debatable. You'd be getting more mismatches, in my view. In the beginning at any rate. I'd still be tempted to go for it, but the SPFL won't do it.

Few, if any, clubs, want to change the status quo, which might reduce the number of Old Firm games and lessen the TV contract, which means less money for everybody. Nobody is going there.

I'm dubious about the notion that a bigger league would mean managers would fear less about relegation and suddenly start playing young players. I just think they'd carry on as before. Bottom line: 16 teams would be a nice change, but it won't happen.

Get your questions ready.

Tom English, BBC Sport Scotland's chief sportswriter, is in the hotseat and ready to offer his insight and opinion on your club.

Four games into the Premiership campaign, what would you like to ask?

Put your questions to our man here, external.

Ross Morren
Fan writer

The 98th-minute Aberdeen goal that consigned Ross County to defeat in Saturday night's VAR-laden match felt like a real sucker punch.

There were a lot of questions about how Don Cowie’s side would react after their poor performance in the 6-0 defeat by Rangers at Hampden the week prior.

Cowie switched to a 3-5-2 and his side looked far more compact and confident in their defending to nullify Aberdeen’s attacking threat for the majority of the match.

Kacper Lopata, who was making his debut at the heart of the defence, was very impressive and marshalled the backline really well. Australia international Josh Nisbet was also making his first start in Dingwall and impressed the home fans with his energy and quality in the middle of the park.

Last season, County nearly went the entire Premiership season without being awarded a penalty before Angus MacDonald's foul on Jordan White handed the Staggies a spot-kick against Aberdeen on the final day. This term, County have been awarded penalties in successive home matches but have failed to score on both occasions.

Ronan Hale struck his penalty with power and accuracy which nine times out of 10 would find the back of the net. Huge credit has to go to Dimitar Mitov for making one of the best penalty saves I've seen in a long time.

The Staggies are quite unfortunate to be going into the international break with only two points from four league matches. In the key moments so far, such as the two penalties and conceding such a late winner on Saturday, luck really hasn’t been on our side.

With back-to-back home matches against Dundee and St Johnstone coming up followed by a trip to face struggling Hearts, Cowie will hope to use the international break to build on the positives he's seen from his side and turn the encouraging signs into points.

Ross Morren can be found at The County Corner, external

Barnsley defender Kacper Lopata believes his loan switch to Ross County can move him a step closer to realising his dream of breaking into the Poland national team. (Press & Journal), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

Watch Sportscene analysis of the VAR decisions in Aberdeen's Premiership win over Ross County.

Watch highlights as Aberdeen secure a dramatic late win over Ross County in the Scottish Premiership.

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Aberdeen top the Scottish Premiership for the first time in almost a decade after Kevin Nisbet's dramatic stoppage-time winner at Ross County gave them a ninth win in nine games under Jimmy Thelin.

Scotland international Nisbet, in his second appearance since signing on loan from Millwall, scored in the eighth minute of injury time.

How it took so long is a mystery, given the number of close calls before then.

County's Ronan Hale thought he had opened the scoring early in the first half when the ball ricocheted off his shin and trickled over the line.

However, his good fortune was short-lived as VAR stepped in to rule the goal out for offside. And there would be further disappointment for the striker when Dimitar Mitov saved his second-half penalty.

Aberdeen also had their moments, Slobadan Rubezic also being thwarted by VAR after he headed in a rebound from Vicente Besuijen’s free-kick.

The winger's effort struck the bar and bounced on the line before Rubezic’s follow-up did the same and, although referee Euan Anderson gave the goal, a lengthy VAR check determined another offside.

In the end, it didn't matter as Nisbet's composed finish ensured Aberdeen move above Celtic at the summit before the reigning champions play on Sunday.

Ross County fans, what did you make of the game. Tell us your thoughts here., external

Adam Binnie
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Much like Aberdeen, County also lost their talismanic striker in the summer when Simon Murray moved to Dundee. The numbers tell you his goals have not been replaced.

He scored 23 on his own last season and County have managed just one league goal this term.

Ronan Hale was impressive during the League Cup group stages, but his last-minute equaliser against Dundee United three weeks ago is his and County’s only strike in the Premiership.

He was incredibly unlucky to be denied twice here, first by a marginal offside and the second to an exceptional penalty save.

However, Don Cowie needs his frontmen to catch fire if they are to avoid the drop again.

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Ross County manager Don Cowie: "I'm really disappointed for the group. It was a really good team performance on the back of last week.

"It was a team that worked for each other, putting their bodies on the line and limited Aberdeen to very little. So to concede so late is a bit of a sickener, but I saw plenty of positives.

"I wanted a reaction and I saw that. We spoke about being compact and hard to play through, and that's exactly what I saw.

"In terms of the penalty, you expect Ronan to tuck it away - he's a great striker of the ball - but it's a very good save from the goalkeeper.

"There are plenty of positives to take from today and it's about building on that."

Image source, SNS

Ross County: Laidlaw, Brown, Wright, Lopata, Leak, Harmon, Randall, Nisbet, Denholm, Hale, Brophy.

Substitutes: Hamilton, Allardice, Loturi, Chilvers, Grieves, Campbell, Telfer, White, Reid.

Aberdeen: Mitov, Devlin, Rubezic, Molloy, MacKenzie, Shinnie, Heltne Nilsen, Keskinen, Gueye, McGrath, Sokler.

Substitutes: Doohan, Nisbet, McGarry, Besuijen, Palaversa, Morris, Milne, MacDonald, Ambrose.

Jane Lewis, Brian McLauchlin and Tyrone Smith round up all the deadline defying drama as the Scottish transfer window shuts.

From Celtic's record breaking signing to some high profile departures they discuss all the biggest moves in Scotland and cross to Italy to hear about the excitement as Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay move to Napoli.

Listen to the full episode here.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Ross County have been very active during the summer transfer window but it's looking like their business is now over.

The Staggies were busy yesterday, bringing in defenders Eli Campbell and Kacper Lopata on season-long loans from Everton and Barnsley respectively.

That took the number of players who have checked into the Global Energy Stadium to 12.

It doesn't look like they will be brining anyone else in, with the mood music from Dingwall suggesting there will be no deadline-day business by manager Don Cowie.

We asked for your views on where Ross County still need to strengthen and what deals you would like completed before the transfer window closes.

Here's what some of you said:

Ronny: We need a wide man, maybe even two of them if the budget allows. In hindsight, allowing Jay Henderson to go on loan to Ayr might not have been the wisest idea.

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Josh Nisbet says it was an "easy decision" to join Ross County after conversations with Australia team-mates and former Staggies Jackson Irvine and Harry Souttar.

After a debut to forget - the 25-year-old midfielder came off the bench in last weekend's 6-0 drubbing by Rangers - Nisbet is looking forward to his first Dingwall outing against Aberdeen on Saturday.

"It's a good step for my career, we've had Aussies here previously," he said.

"Jacko and Souttar both spoke highly of the club and progressed really well and it's a career path that I wanted to follow, so it was an easy decision for me.

"It was good to get out there against Rangers, it wasn't the circumstances I wanted it to be but each week is new and I'll be pushing to be in the squad this week.

"I want to achieve as much success as possible, the last few seasons the club hasn't done entirely well but if we could push for top six that would be brilliant.

"So far from what I've seen in training we've got quality players, it'll just be a matter of proving that on the day. Aberdeen have started the season well but there's always a good opportunity to beat anyone on our day."

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Teenage Ross County forward George Robesten has joined Highland League side Brora Rangers on loan for the season.

The 18-year-old has had previous loan spells with Nairn County and Clachnacuddin and made his league debut for the Staggies against Dundee United earlier this month.

"We believe it's important to continue his development by giving him the opportunity to play regular football," said manager Don Cowie.

As Friday's 23:00 BST transfer deadline edges closer, where do Ross County still need to strengthen and what deals would you like completed before the window closes?

Have your say here, external.

Image source, Getty Images

Ross County have completed their second loan signing of the day, with defender Eli Campbell arriving from Everton for the season.

The 20-year-old spent the final months of last term on loan with Fleetwood Town where he made 12 appearances.

County boss Don Cowie said: "He has represented England at U18 level as well as captaining the Everton U18 side, and he brings another option to the left-side of our defence.

"He was impressive during his time at Fleetwood and we are delighted to have him here for the season ahead."

Image source, Getty Images

Centre-back Kacper Lopata brings a "commanding presence" to Ross County's defence after joining on a season-long loan from Barnsley, says manager Don Cowie.

The 23-year-old former Poland youth international, who came through Brighton's academy, joined Barnsley a year ago and spent the second half of last season on loan at Port Vale.

"We are delighted to secure Kacper for the season," Cowie said.

"He is a commanding presence and adds to our defensive options. He is a Polish youth international so comes to us with good pedigree."

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• Ross County are winless in seven league meetings with Aberdeen (D3 L4) since winning 1-0 away from home in April 2022.

• Aberdeen have only lost one of their last 10 league visits to Ross County (W6 D3), and are unbeaten in five (W2 D3) since a 4-1 defeat in January 2021.

• Ross County are winless in six league games (D4 L2), while last time out against Rangers they suffered their joint-heaviest ever top-flight defeat (6-0, also 6-0 vs Celtic in October 2019).

• Aberdeen, along with Celtic, are one of two sides to win all three of their Scottish Premiership games so far this season. The last club other than Celtic to win each of their opening four matches of a season in the division were Hearts in 2018-19 (first 5), while Aberdeen last did so in 2017-18 (first 4).

• Aberdeen’s Jamie McGrath has more combined goals and assists (5 – 2 goals, 3 assists) than any player in the league so far this season. His three assists are already his most ever in a single campaign in the competition.

Image source, SNS

Teenage Ross County defender Connall Ewan has joined Inverness Caley Thistle on a season-long loan.

The 19-year-old academy graduate spent last season with League 2 Elgin City, where he scored three goals in 35 appearances, and the previous campaign at Forres Mechanics in the Highland League.

Ewan will now spend the season in the third tier, and County boss Don Cowie says the move will allow the centre-back to "continue his progression".

Image source, SNS

Don Cowie has promised Ross County fans his team will show "we're hurting" when they face in-form Aberdeen on Saturday.

County followed up their League Cup exit at fourth-tier Spartans by being hammered 6-0 away to Rangers last weekend, but now return to home soil where Cowie has suffered just one defeat in 12 since taking charge.

"We've looked at our previous game and talked about what we could do a lot better," said Cowie.

"It's about focusing on Aberdeen, they've had a fantastic start to the season, it's a really difficult game but at the same time an exciting one.

"It's in Dingwall, where we've been really strong and we've got to look forward to it. It's about having that balance in terms of trying to deal with their threats.

"Especially being at home we will try and take the game to the opposition and be on the front foot.

"It's not just about the result, it's about the performance and showing a reaction.

"For us it's about showing our fans we're hurting after our last two results. But in football it's always about the next game and being prepared and ready for that and that's what we intend to do."

Image source, SNS

Ross County boss Don Cowie has been speaking to the media prior to Saturday's league fixture against Aberdeen.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• Acknowledges that his side "need to be better as a team" after defeat against Rangers, but says "it's a learning curve".

• Says the 6-0 scoreline was difficult and in a match like that they needed to do enough "to stop the bleeding in terms of conceding goals".

• He's spoken to his team about what they can do better and is looking ahead to a "really difficult but exciting" fixture against Aberdeen.

• Thinks the advantage lies with County because they've "been really strong" at Dingwall but believes Aberdeen have the "belief and confidence" after a good run of form in the league.

• Says he wants to show the fans a "reaction" and is not just focused on the result, but "it's about the performance" as well.

• There's "nothing imminent" on the transfer front and he's happy with the recruitment, plus the new signings are "eager, hungry to succeed and ready to make an impact".

• He's "delighted" to have Joshua Nisbett as part of the squad and says it was "important to give him a taste of the action against Rangers".

Ross Morren
Fan writer

It’s safe to say County fans had to endure a tough Saturday afternoon at Hampden as the Staggies were hammered 6-0 by Rangers.

Don Cowie’s game-plan in the first half would have been to try and get a foothold in the match and frustrate Rangers. Instead, the home side were able to exploit huge gaps in the County midfield time and again, which was evident in the build-up to Cyriel Dessers’ first goal.

The Staggies were riding their luck to keep the score at 1-0 but that fortune eventually ran out right at the end of the first half when Rabbi Matondo scored to effectively end the match as a contest.

Cowie would have hoped for an improvement from his side following his half-time team-talk but unfortunately the performance was of a similar standard. A combination of clinical attacking play from Rangers and some really naive County defending saw the home side cruise to victory.

The past couple of matches have been a really steep learning curve for Cowie and his side. They’ve had a lot of criticism after the League Cup defeat to Spartans and fans expected a positive response to that defeat.

Unfortunately, it didn’t come and they were blown away by a Rangers side who put in their best performance of the season so far.

Prior to the back-to-back defeats, the Staggies were unbeaten in their first six matches of the season and it felt like they were making positive progress. It’s important these two defeats don’t derail the progress made so far.

Cowie suffered some tough results during his spell in charge last season but he was able to galvanise his squad and get a positive reaction from them.

He’ll hope he can do the same and his side can continue the impressive home form of his tenure when Aberdeen visit the Global Energy Stadium on Saturday.

Ross Morren can be found at The County Corner, external