Ross County

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Midfielder Noah Chilvers has joined Ross County on a three-year deal from English League Two side Colchester United.

The 23-year-old, who scored 23 goals in 172 league appearances for the Essex side, has moved north for an undisclosed fee.

Chilvers is County’s ninth signing of the summer.

"There was a lot of interest in Noah and we are absolutely delighted to secure his signature," County boss Don Cowie told the club’s website.

"Despite being only 23 he has amassed over 200 games in his career, and we believe he has the attributes to really excite our supporters."

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Connor Randall is the new captain of Ross County, with Jordan White his vice-captain, the club have announced.

Randall, 28, has made 117 appearances for County since joining in 2020, and has worn the captain's armband during this season's League Cup group stages.

He replaces Jack Baldwin in the role, who signed for Northampton Town earlier this summer.

Ross Morren
Fan writer

The 2023-24 Premiership season felt like an emotional rollercoaster to many Ross County fans, ending on a high as the club secured its top-flight status with victory in the play-offs for the second successive season.

With the 2024-25 Premiership looking to be the strongest it’s been in a number of years, how will the Staggies fare following a summer of transition in Dingwall?

First of all, Don Cowie heads into his first full season as a manager.

Cowie showed plenty of qualities when he was appointed to steady the ship following Derek Adams’ tumultuous 79-day reign.

He managed to turn Dingwall into a fortress with a run of form where County only lost one match in nine and picked up impressive wins against Hearts, Rangers and Hibernian respectively.

Cowie's summer transfer window got off to a tricky start with key players Jack Baldwin, Josh Sims, Yan Dhanda and Simon Murray all leaving the club, but the incomings so far are promising.

Will Nightingale has rejoined the club following impressive performances on loan last season, while Charlie Telfer, Ricki Lamie and Jack Hamilton have plenty of experience in Scottish football.

Akil Wright looks like an excellent addition to the heart of County’s defence, while Jack Grieves and Aidan Denholm have also joined on loan from Watford and Hearts respectively and will add more energy to midfield.

The signing that has excited County fans the most so far though is Ronan Hale. The striker scored 50 goals in 80 matches for Cliftonville, and already has three in two for the Staggies.

I think we’ll still see at least three or four more players arrive in Dingwall before the end of the transfer window. There’s still room in the squad for a couple of attacking midfielders following the departure of Dhanda and Sims, so I’d imagine this will be the next area of focus for County’s recruitment team.

Many pundits and fans of Scottish football have tipped County to be the side that finish bottom of the Premiership table this time around.

The first objective will be a 10th-place finish and ensuring survival for another season, but I think County will surprise a lot of people and have a much better season than many are predicting.

Predicted league finish: Eighth

Standout player: Ronan Hale

Game most looking forward to: A rare league match for County at Hampden when they face Rangers at the national stadium on the 24 August.

Ross Morren can be found on the County Corner podcast, external.

Josh Nisbet, the 25-year-old attacking midfielder twice capped by Australia, has an offer from Ross County on the table but is still considering his options amid interest from an unnamed second-tier Dutch club after leaving Central Coast Mariners. (FTBL), external

Jack Grieves, the 19-year-old attacking midfielder who has joined Ross County on loan, says Watford head coach Tom Cleverley was keen for him to experience regular first-team football to assist his development. (Press & Journal), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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After leaving Dundee before his pre-contract agreement could kick into life, Ricki Lamie says his Ross County move has provided him with much-needed "security" - although he's somewhat reluctant to call it that.

The centre-back spent last season on loan at Dens Park from Motherwell and signed a permanent deal there in February.

However, it was announced at the end of June that Lamie would not join Dundee and three days later he was confirmed as a County player.

On a whirlwind summer, the 30-year-old defender told Sky Sports, external: "I'd be lying if I said it didn't throw extra difficulty into the mix.

"You never like using the word security, but inevitably [that's what this move] is. Everyone's got families, mortgages, there's that aspect as well.

"But I pride myself on working as hard as I can wherever I am and I'm pleased that's up here."

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Don Cowie says new striker Ronan Hale is proving why Ross County signed him after the forward netted two goals against Stirling Albion in the League Cup.

The 3-0 win over the Binos saw County ensure a place in the knock-out stages of the competition, with Hale making it three goals in two games in his early County career.

"He took his goals really well, especially the second one," boss Cowie told club media. "It wasn’t an easy finish but he made it look easy. We know he is capable of that.

“The first goal comes at a really good time for us in terms of making that breakthrough and calming everyone down. It’s just another indication of what he brings to this group.”

Hale joined the Highland outfit in the summer after a prolific spell at Cliftonville in Northern Ireland, where he scored 50 goals in 80 appearances.

The 25-year-old, who was born in Belfast, has been linked with a Northern Ireland call-up, despite playing for the Republic of Ireland at age-grade level.

The only down side for County during the win over Albion was the loss of Ricki Lamie, who went off injured after 39 minutes.

“He just felt a slight pain in the Achilles area,” Cowie explained. “The doc’s had a look at him and doesn’t think it’s anything too sinister but we’ll see how that recovers over the coming days.”

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Midfielder Aidan Denholm has joined on a season-long loan from fellow Scottish Premiership outfit Hearts.

The 20-year-old made 14 appearances for Steven Naismith's side in the top-flight last season after initially making his debut back in 2021.

On his arrival in the Highlands, manager Don Cowie expressed his delight at capturing the youngster's talents for the upcoming campaign.

"He joins us with Scottish Premiership and European football experience yet is still at a young age," Cowie told the club website.

"Aidan joining gives us real competition in the central midfield area. We thank Hearts for their assistance in getting this done."

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Ross County have confirmed the loan signing of teenager Jack Grieves from Watford.

The 19-year-old attacking midfielder, who has played five senior games for the English Championship club, has penned a season-long deal.

Manager Don Cowie expressed his delight at signing a player who is "very highly thought of at Watford".

"He has impressed in pre-season at his parent club," the County boss adds.

"It is fantastic that he has decided to join us for the next step in his development."

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Summer signing Ronan Hale has been backed by Ross County boss Don Cowie after a stunning debut goal sparked a cup comeback against Hamilton.

The 25-year-old, who joined the Premiership side from Cliftonville earlier this month, hooked a cross over his head with his back to goal to equalise against Hamilton.

And after Jordan White headed home two minutes later to seal victory, Cowie was delighted with the start his refreshed front line has made - particularly his new signing.

“We know what he’s capable of, he’s a goalscorer," Cowie told the club's website.

"It was a fantastic finish from him and it came at a really important time for us in terms of getting back into the game.

“And another goal for Jordan, four in three, it’s a great start for him.”

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The draw for the last 16 of the Scottish League Cup will take place on Sunday.

It will be broadcast live on Premier Sports following their coverage of Motherwell v Partick Thistle at Fir Park, which kicks off at 15:00 BST.

The top-flight's five European representatives - holders Rangers, Celtic, Hearts, Kilmarnock and St Mirren - will enter the draw and will also be seeded, along with the three best group winners.

All last-16 ties are scheduled to played on the weekend of 17/18 August.

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Former Ross County defender Callum Morris is backing manager Don Cowie for success.

After being placed in interim charge last term, Cowie guided the Highland side to Premiership survival via the relegation play-off.

Cowie was then handed the role on a permanent basis, and Morris feels they have a "very diligent" manager at the helm.

"Off the back of the career he's had and the men he's worked under, I think he's accrued a lot of knowledge," Morris added on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"I think there have been other times in the past where he's potentially had offers to go elsewhere and he's bided his time.

"I know he has a good relationship with the chairman so I think he'll do really well. He's a great guy and he's a great professional. I think that goes a long way.

"I think he's adding different components knowing that they can play the style of football he wants to play. I think he'll he'll stick to that. He'll have belief in what he's doing and so far he's looked quite good."

Ross County are the Premiership team in focus on Tuesday's Scottish Football Podcast.

Having survived via the relegation play-off in the past two seasons, fan podcaster Ramsay Banks would be more than happy with a 10th-placed finish this term.

Click here to listen to the BBC's County season preview in full.

Adam Binnie
BBC Scotland

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Don Cowie saw "really good signs" from Jordan White in Ross County's 2-1 Scottish League Cup win over Raith Rovers.

White, 32, opened the scoring in Dingwall before Callum Smith levelled in the second half. George Harmon netted County's late winner.

With Simon Murray, who scored 23 goals last season, having joined Scottish Premiership rivals Dundee, the burden of scoring County goals will likely fall on White and Eamonn Brophy in the coming season.

White also headed over in the second half and Cowie commented: "He’s disappointed in the dressing room that he didn’t get a second goal.

"It was probably an easier header but there are really good signs from him."

The win made it six points out of six for the Staggies in Group H. Raith have six points too but have played a game more. County visit Hamilton Academical on Tuesday then host Stirling Albion in their final group game on Saturday.

"I said to the group after the game, 'two games, two wins, that’s all you can ask for'," added Cowie.

"There’s things we really have to improve on and get better at but it’s still really early and it sets us up.

"There’s still a lot to improve on, there’s some new players in the building and it’s about getting them used to the way that we work as a football club."

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Ross County manager Don Cowie admits Saturday's League Cup visit of Championship Raith Rovers "will bring back emotions", but says they are fully focused on the here and now.

County go into their first home game of the season looking to build on last Saturday's Group H win at Stranraer.

The last time Cowie's side faced the Kirkcaldy side, they secured their top-flight status with a comfortable win in the Premiership play-off final, but he is braced for a tough encounter this time around.

"It is a good test really early on in the season" Cowie said. "A really good team, they have managed to add to the squad and kept the bulk of last season.

"We realise it is going to be a challenge, but it is one we believe we can take care of, but we will need to play well for that to happen.

"Raith are a really good football team, we saw that last season, so we need to be prepared and ready for that.

"We want to make the most of the League Cup. We want to get to the latter stages of it, and it is these sort of games you need to turn up and do well in."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Akil Wright says he is relishing the chance to step out of his "comfort zone" and shine for Ross County.

Earlier this month, Wright, 28, who can play in defence or midfield, signed a three-year deal with County after leaving Stockport for an undisclosed fee.

Having spent all of his career in the English lower leagues until now, Wright is embracing a new experience.

"The Scottish Premiership, it is a big league," he said. "Playing against some of the big teams, it is competitive. I'm in my prime now and I want to try and experience something different.

"I know James Brown quite well from the Stockport days, I played against Michee Efete quite a few times as well, but I spoke to James prior to coming to see what it was like and how he is enjoying it and his response made it easier for me.

"Obviously the distance was probably the only negative at the time, but since I have been here I have enjoyed it and I am settled in now and raring to go."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Manager Don Cowie hopes the existing strikers at Ross County can fill the void left by "figurehead" Simon Murray.

Murray, who scored 23 times for County last term, last week left to join Dundee.

County then began their season with a 3-1 League Cup win at Stranraer, with Jordan White netting a double and fellow striker Eamonn Brophy also on target.

"Simon was a fantastic player for us, especially in the last three months when I came into this role," said Cowie.

"He was the figurehead for us in terms of the goals he got, but football moves on you have to adapt to that.

"There is a real opportunity for what is here already. Jordan and Eamonn especially have come back after the summer flying, they look really sharp and it was great for them to get on the scoresheet on Saturday.

"We have also got Ronan Hale, who has come in to the club, that I am really excited about, and Alex Samuel, who has come back form his loan spell.

"So we have competition there, but there is a real opening for all of them to go and say ‘I want to be the number one striker'."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Ross County manager Don Cowie says playing Rangers in the league at Hampden rather than Ibrox will be "something fresh" and an "exciting challenge" for his players.

The sides meet at the national stadium on 24 August after Rangers agreed a relocation up to early September due to delayed construction work at their own ground.

"It will be different, it will be an exciting challenge for the group," said Cowie.

"Not many have probably played at Hampden. Even myself, who had a long career, except for playing for Scotland, it was somewhere I never played in a league or cup match so it will be something fresh for them.

"In terms of the circumstances which lead us to Hampden, it is what it is. We just deal with that and get on with it."

Having needed a play-off victory over Raith Rovers to preserve County's Premiership status last season, Cowie hopes to avoid a similar struggle in the new campaign and cited the example of over-achievers Dundee, St Mirren and Kilmarnock, who all finished in the top six.

"We proved three years ago when we get it right you can get into that top six," he added.

"Kilmarnock, St Mirren and Dundee had excellent seasons last year and proved what you can do when you can find that consistency. That is something we need to strive for.

"Always it has to be first and foremost to stay in the league, we realise the challenge of being in the Scottish Premiership and how competitive it is going to be this year.

"But at the same time you have got to be ambitious and it is about starting well and taking it on from there."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Ross County manager Don Cowie has been speaking before the League Cup visit of Raith Rovers this weekend.

Here are the key points:

• On the "big" importance of a cup run, he says it is "something we have not done enough in recent years".

• Having their first home game of the season against Raith "will bring back emotions" of last season's play-off final win over the Kirkcaldy side.

• With Simon Murray sold to Dundee, Cowie was pleased to see Jordan White and Eamonn Brophy score in the weekend win at Stranraer and "there is a real opening" for them to stake a claim to be the first-choice striker.

• After Dundee, St Mirren and Kilmarnock all made the top six last season, Cowie says it "proved what yo can do when you can find that consistency and that is something we need to strive for".

• County are "a bit thin on numbers" and "always looking" to add further signings.

• On playing Rangers at Hampden, rather than Ibrox, in the early stages of the Premiership season, Cowie says it will be "something fresh" for his players, many of whom won’t have played at the national stadium.

• Team news – Connor Randall returns to the squad following the birth of his daughter.