Interim manager Don Cowie is relishing time on the training ground with his Ross County players before the crucial encounter with Livingston. (Press and Journal - subscription required), external
Kenny Miller discusses the relegation battle on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast
Highlights: Dundee 2-0 Ross County
Don Cowie reflects on Ross County's loss in Dundee
Ross County interim Don Cowie was encouraged by his team's performance in a 2-0 loss at Dundee.
"The timing of the first goal was frustrating, but I told them to come out and show a reaction and they did that," Cowie told BBC Scotland.
"It's about taking the positives and making sure we're ready for Livingston next week.
"It's about trusting the process, I saw really good signs against Rangers and I've seen even more today.
"I know what's in that dressing room, I've worked with the players for a long time as assistant manager, and I had no doubt in the ability we've got. I'm seeing a real togetherness and it's about pushing on and getting results."
Image source, SNSScott Tiffoney slotted both goals as Dundee beat Ross County
BBC Scotland's Jane Lewis at Dens Park
A two goal victory for Dundee, but it wasn’t as comfy as that may sound, with Ross County playing some good stuff and looking dangerous. But at 1-0 down, County failed to take their chances.
Livingston’s win will have rubbed salt into their wounds too. They meet next weekend.
Both Dundee goals were lovely on the eye. Terrific build-up play and the lively Scott Tiffoney finished both really well. That was the main difference between the sides - finishing. Dundee did it brilliantly, Ross County need to work on theirs.
Dundee will back themselves for a top-six finish, they’re playing well as a unit, look full of confidence up front and defensively solid.
The Ross County line-up shows a solitary switch after their midweek defeat at Ibrox, as Don Cowie takes charge of his second game following the departure of Derek Adams.
Max Sheaf comes in for Eli King in the visitors' midfield.
Dundee: Carson, McGhee, Shaughnessy, Donnelly, Beck, Sylla, Costelloe, McCowan, Cameron, Tiffoney, Bakayoko.
Substitutes: McCracken, Dodgson, Astley, Main, Lamie, Mulligan, Robinson, Robertson, Boateng.
Ross County: Wickens, Ayina, Leak, Efete, Brown, Loturi, Sheaf, Dhanda, Reid, Murray, Brophy.
Substitutes: Laidlaw, Borthwick-Jackson, Sims, Harmon, Henderson, Khela, White.
Image source, SNSAfter their 1-0 win in December, Dundee are looking to pick up back-to-back victories over Ross County in the top-flight for only the second time, previously doing so in August 2016.
Ross County have only lost one of their 12 previous top-flight away games against Dundee (W6 D5), a 5-2 defeat in April 2016 under Jim McIntyre.
Dundee put an end to a three-game losing run at home last time out by beating St. Johnstone 2-1; they are looking to win consecutive home league matches for only the second time this season (also doing so in November).
Ross County are winless in nine league games (D2 L7), last going 10 without a victory in the Scottish Premiership from July-October 2021.
Against Rangers last time out, Ross County’s George Wickens made 19 saves, at least five more than any goalkeeper on record (from 2013-14) in a single Scottish Premiership game. Indeed, Wickens had, by comparison, only made a combined 12 saves in his first four appearances in the competition beforehand.
Ross County interim manager Don Cowie is searching for his first win since taking over in Dingwall.
They travel to Dens Park on Saturday to face Tony Docherty's side who currently sit sixth in the Scottish Premiership.
Who should be in Cowie's starting line-up? Choose your County XI here.
Image source, SNSRangers have scored in their last 21 games in the Scottish Premiership, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of 26 games from 17 September 2022 to 15 April 2023.
Rangers attempted 43 shots in this game, the highest total for any team in a single match in the Scottish Premiership this season.
Cyriel Dessers attempted 10 shots in this game, the highest total for a player in the Scottish Premiership this season.
Simon Murray has scored seven goals this season (one in this game), more than any other Ross County player in the Scottish Premiership.
Interim Ross County manager Don Cowie questions why there were 12 minutes of added-on time in last night's 3-1 defeat to Rangers at Ibrox. (Herald, external, subscription required)
Read the rest of Thursday's Scottish gossip.
Image source, BBC SportRangers 3-1 Ross County: Watch highlights as hosts go level on points with Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Did you make the trip to Ibrox or follow along from home?
Either way, we want to know what you made of the performance in Glasgow. How about George Wickens - what a showing.
Image source, SNSInterim Ross County manager Don Cowie spoke to BBC Scotland after an eventful night at Ibrox.
On performance: "I am very proud. Rangers were on top form tonight. We had a little bit of luck on our side.
"They missed a few chances, our goalkeeper was very, very good. He was excellent. I've got two very good goalkeeper on the books. He dealt with it very, very well tonight."
On first game in charge: "I enjoyed it, I enjoyed being the person be leading this club. I've got a group of players in there who I have trust in, that I believe in. We can be a real threat, we can cause problems for anyone."
On relegation battle: "We know where we are in the league. We know the situation we have, but it's definitely not a disaster where we are right now. It's a case of looking up. It won't be easy, but it's about recovering after tonight. We'll be ready for a very good Dundee team on Saturday."
Image source, SNSSean McGill, BBC Sport Scotland
While the stats show that County were brutally battered, a sense of steel can somehow be salvaged.
How did they keep that scoreline down? The chief answer is Wickens, who pulled off a stunning 19 saves as the Fulham loanee drew the ire of the Ibrox crowd.
They could well have added a second equaliser if Efete's effort was a few inches lower, and Don Cowie will leave Govan knowing his players can huff and puff right to the end.
Wow! 19 saves at Ibrox is sure to live long in the memory of young George Wickens.
In fact, it's the most saves made by a goalkeeper since the Premiership era began in 2013/14 - five stops clear of the previous record.
Some questioned the decision to start the Fulham loanee over Ross Laidlaw. He proved the doubters wrong in an historic way here.
Image source, SNSDon Cowie opts to make six changes following last week's 5-0 demolition at the hands of Motherwell in what is his first game in charge as County interim manager following the resignation of Derek Adams.
Eamonn Brophy returns in attack in place of Jordan White, while Canada international Victor Loturi and Cardiff City loanee Eli King come into midfield.
There are three changes in defence, with Michee Efete, Ryan Leak and Josh Reid returning in an attempt to solidify the County backline following last week's beating.
Image source, SNSEamonn Brophy makes his first start since Halloween.
Rangers: Butland, Tavernier, Goldson, Souttar, Yilmaz, Lundstram, Lawrence, Cantwell, McCausland, Matondo, Dessers.
Substitutes: McCrorie, Silva, Cortes, S Wright, Davies, Barisic, King, Diomande, Raskin.
Ross County: Wickens, Brown, Efete, Ayina, Leak, Reid, Loturi, King, Dhanda, Murray, Brophy.
Substitutes: Laidlaw, Borthwick-Jackson, Sims, Sheaf, Harmon, Henderson, Khela, White.
Image source, SNSRoss County interim manager Don Cowie says hard work has to be the "foundation" for the club as he aims to turn the Dingwall side's fortunes around.
Cowie, who was part of the backroom staff under both Malky Mackay and Derek Adams, believes County can cause Rangers problems on Wednesday if they "pull together".
“Rangers are an excellent team on an excellent run but if we go there with a plan and the players pull together the way I know they can we can still create problems for them," the former Scotland midfielder said.
“First and foremost, the foundation for me is hard work. If you’re at Ross County and you want to achieve things, the cornerstone of that is to work hard.
“I want the fans to see players who’ve given everything to their club.
“I’m probably a clear indication of what you get if you work hard. Some of these players have far more ability than I had, but if you work hard, and maximise what you’ve got, you can achieve anything in football.
“My remit here is to take charge on an interim basis – there’s no timescale on that and the club are not actively looking for a manager.
“It’s my job to bring a calmness to the club, to make sure the players get going again and become competitive.
“It’s something I’ve aspired to be and it’s a club I know well and have had a long association with – so it’s a proud moment for me and my family.”
