'A moment of bad luck & controversy cost County a historic result'published at 14:58 BST 8 October 2024
14:58 BST 8 October 2024
Ross Morren Fan writer
Ross County fans were hoping their side could capitalise on a potential European hangover from Celtic in Dingwall on Sunday.
The early signs were very promising. Celtic looked sluggish in possession and didn't offer a creative outlet in the final third against a County defence who were quick to limit space and were a match to any threats the away side had to offer.
At the other end, Don Cowie's side took a shock lead thanks to Ronan Hale's penalty. Hale showed real character to pick the same corner after his initial penalty was saved by Kasper Schmeichel, who was judged to have been off his line when Hale made contact with the ball, prompting a retake.
Celtic seemed to be running out of ideas and the County backline looked impenetrable. However, going into the final 15 minutes, a stroke of bad luck and then a moment of controversy cost County a historic result.
On another day, Callum McGregor's volley could have deflected off Alistair Johnston and gone high and wide. Unfortunately, it flew into the net to give Celtic a lifeline.
Everyone associated with the Staggies was then bemused with Kevin Clancy's decision to award a free-kick for challenge on Luke McCowan halfway inside the Celtic half. The frustration at the standard of officiating was growing as the match went on and stonewall fouls on County players were being waved away
That feeling then turned to anger as Celtic took the free-kick quickly and, two passes later, Nicolas Kuhn was played through on goal to score the winner on what was probably the only occasion Celtic carved open the resolute County defence.
County deserve a lot of credit for pushing Celtic right to the end. Connor Randall and Josh Nisbet were outstanding up against Reo Hatate and Arne Engels, who really struggled to have any influence, while Kacper Lopata had Adam Idah in his back pocket.
Cowie will take plenty of positives from this performance as well as the previous three matches and hope to continue County's recent momentum on the other side of the international break.
'I think we've got a squad that could surprise the league'published at 15:04 BST 7 October 2024
15:04 BST 7 October 2024
County fans, we asked for your thoughts after Sunday's narrow defeat to Celtic.
Here's what some of you had to say:
Graham: A really strong and positive performance. Well organised, good support play and a great team effort. Very happy with the players who Don Cowie is getting the best of.
Ron: An excellent team performance that illustrated to Brendan Rogers how to set up against a vastly superior side. The half-time stats were astonishing - County had only 20% possession but five shots on target compared to Celtic's one. A soft foul given in midfield followed by an uncharacteristic loss of shape undid us for the winner but no shame in the result.
Mike: I haven't seen a better performance from Ross County for a long time, the manager has had a huge influence on the squad when you play a team like Celtic. Sunday afternoon was a joy even though it was a defeat. I think we've got a squad that could surprise the league. Maybe top six or Europe next year, who knows? I can cross my fingers but every team beware!
County's Randall named in TOTWpublished at 13:22 BST 7 October 2024
13:22 BST 7 October 2024
Jonathan Sutherland Sportscene presenter
Tenacity personified, Connor Randall is the gritty heartbeat of this Ross County side.
He is always snapping away, making tackles, making blocks. It could well be another tough season for County but with a battler like Randall they have a chance.
Ross County 1-2 Celtic: Key statspublished at 10:06 BST 7 October 2024
10:06 BST 7 October 2024
Image source, SNS
Ross County have lost 7 points from winning positions in the Premiership this season, no team has lost more.
Ross County have lost a home game after leading at half time in the Premiership for the first time since 17th December 2022 against St. Johnstone (10 games without defeat).
Celtic have scored in their last 16 games in the Premiership, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of 27 games from 1st October 2022 to 7th May 2023.
Celtic have won their last 13 games in the Premiership, their last longer winning streak was from 24th September 2016 to 1st March 2017, a run of 22 games.
Cowie complains about Celtic's late winnerpublished at 08:43 BST 7 October 2024
08:43 BST 7 October 2024
Ross County boss Don Cowie claims Celtic should never have been awarded a free-kick in the build-up to Nicolas Kuhn's late winner in Dingwall. (Football Scotland), external
Ross County 1-2 Celtic: What did the manager say?published at 15:32 BST 6 October 2024
15:32 BST 6 October 2024
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Ross County manager Don Cowie tells BBC Scotland: "It's disappointing against anyone when you put that much effort in. I still see plenty of positives.
"We're playing against a massive team with a massive budget compared to what we have. How do we compete against that? It's about good organisation and working hard, and I saw that in abundance. I'm disappointed for the group but really proud of them."
"When you come away with nothing and you see no reward, it's sore. It's up to me to remind them of how good they were as a unit. It's something we've worked hard on, tightening up at the back and in the last few weeks I've seen an improvement."
Ross County 1-2 Celtic: Analysispublished at 15:28 BST 6 October 2024
15:28 BST 6 October 2024
Amy Canavan BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNS
It’s the old cliche, but County’s season won’t be defined by results against Celtic and Rangers. Instead, they must look at their own performance.
Don Cowie's side made it stuffy and uncomfortable for Celtic, who until they made changes, failed to carve them open or even remotely test goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw.
The County midfield didn't allow their visitors to find their usual rhythm and Connor Randall and Elijah Campbell impressed in cutting out any danger.
In second half, when you'd expect Celtic to throw all their might, muscle and money at it, Jordan White worked tirelessly to act as an out for the hard-working defence and midfield.
Which is why the winner will hurt County so dearly. Down at their corner flag, Celtic recovered possession and made their way up the park in an instant.
County have now lost seven points from winning positions this season, more than any other Premiership side. That is something they must address.
But it was an afternoon were Cowie's side made Dingwall almost as daunting as Dortmund for Celtic, and there's plenty to take from that.
Cowie looks to hurt Celtic at homepublished at 19:03 BST 4 October 2024
19:03 BST 4 October 2024
Image source, PA
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.
Celtic & Rangers Euro defeats 'a taste of their own medicine'published at 13:24 BST 4 October 2024
13:24 BST 4 October 2024
Media caption,
Celtic & Rangers Euro defeats 'a taste of their own medicine'
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.
Player to watch: Ronan Halepublished at 10:54 BST 4 October 2024
10:54 BST 4 October 2024
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.
County appoint Money as football development directorpublished at 19:13 BST 3 October 2024
19:13 BST 3 October 2024
Image source, SNS
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."
Ross County v Celtic: Pick of the statspublished at 14:11 BST 3 October 2024
14:11 BST 3 October 2024
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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).
Macleod joins Brora Rangers on loanpublished at 14:10 BST 3 October 2024
14:10 BST 3 October 2024
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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.