Ross County 0-1 St Johnstone - analysispublished at 17:34 3 February
17:34 3 February
Ross County's quest for an elusive victory will now stretch beyond two months, since they beat Motherwell on 5 December.
Their home record, too, makes for brutal reading. This was their fourth Dingwall defeat on the bounce without scoring a single goal, an aggregate scoreline of 0-8.
County did look dangerous. They did threaten. They had mobility in the final third through the unrelenting Murray, and the creativity of Dhanda always a spark.
But despite close to two-thirds of possession and a dozen shots, Mitov's goal was unbreached.
Profligacy and frustration the order of the day again, but Livingston's brutal form keeps them at arm's length from the foot of the standings.
Ross County 0-1 St Johnstone: Have your saypublished at 17:30 3 February
17:30 3 February
Image source, BBC Sport
Ross County fans, what did you make of a disappointing home loss?
New signings will have players 'looking over their shoulders' - Adamspublished at 18:19 2 February
18:19 2 February
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Ross County manager Derek Adams believes the club's January transfer business will have take his players "out their comfort zone".
Michee Efete signed on deadline day to become the Dingwall side's seventh arrival of the window, and Adams thinks that increased depth can only help.
“I like to have fresh faces and players looking over their shoulders and it’s good to get them out their comfort zone," he said.
“It’s important we strengthen the squad and I think we’ve done that in the transfer window.”
County also managed to hold on to playmaker Yan Dhanda, who signed a pre-contract deal with Hearts but will remain in Dingwall until the end of the campaign.
“Hearts spoke to us but never put in a formal offer, so Yan stays with us,”
County sign defender Efete published at 21:13 1 February
21:13 1 February
Ross County have signed right-back Michee Efete on a deal until the end of the season.
The 26-year-old Norwich City academy graduate left Grimsby Town in recent days.
He has also been capped for Congo at U20 level.
Image source, SNS
One more expected in Dingwall published at 20:09 1 February
20:09 1 February
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Tyrone Smith, BBC Sport Scotland
With his side struggling at the wrong end of the Premiership, Derek Adams vowed to be aggressive in the January transfer window and he has certainly been true to his word.
So far, six players have checked in to the Global Energy Stadium - all on loan - as Adams tries to come up with a formula that will help the Staggies move up the table.
And their winter business doesn’t appear to be over either, with another new face expected to arrive in Dingwall before of tonight’s deadline.
Ross County v St Johnstone: Pick of the statspublished at 11:01 1 February
11:01 1 February
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Ross County have only lost one of their last nine home league games against St Johnstone (W2 D6), going down 1-2 in December 2022.
After their 1-0 win in November, St Johnstone could pick up back-to-back league victories over Ross County for the first time since October 2016.
Ross County have lost both of their last two home league games, last losing three in a row in April 2023.
St Johnstone are on an 11-match winless run away from home in the Scottish Premiership (D5 L6), their longest run without a victory on the road since December 2019 (run of 16).
St Johnstone are the only side yet to win an away Scottish Premiership match this season, and have scored just two goals on the road this season in the competition, six fewer than any other team.
'Adams leaves Hearts bemused over Dhanda claim' - gossippublished at 08:01 1 February
08:01 1 February
Ross County manager Derek Adams has left Heart of Midlothian officials bemused with his claim that the Edinburgh club have no money to buy Yan Dhanda this month after the midfielder agreed a pre-contract to move to Tynecastle Park this summer but the Edinburgh club were told he was not for sale during the January transfer window. (Edinburgh Evening News), external
What do you want to see from Ross County on deadline day?published at 21:34 31 January
21:34 31 January
County fans, what positions do you think need to be targeted before the January transfer window slams shut on Thursday, and how many incomings would you like to see?
Also, how would you rate the business done to this point?
Pick your County XI for Saints visit published at 17:56 31 January
17:56 31 January
It's a huge battle at the bottom of the table as Ross County host fellow relegation strugglers St Johnstone in Dingwall.
Should Derek Adams make any changes from the midweek draw at Livingston?
We want to know who you would name on the teamsheet. Pick your XI here.
County signing spree set to continue published at 16:47 31 January
16:47 31 January
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Brian McLauchlin, BBC Sport Scotland
It's been a busy old window up in the Highlands. Derek Adams has already brought in six news faces - all on loan - but it seems the signing spree is set to continue.
BBC Scotland understands the Ross County boss is confident he will wrap one deal up before Thursday's transfer deadline, and may well get two bodies in the door.
That would take the Staggies' arrival count up to eight, making them the top-flight's busiest club this window.
Livingston 2-2 Ross County: Key statspublished at 08:45 31 January
08:45 31 January
Image source, SNS
Livingston have failed to win in their last 15 games in the Scottish Premiership, their longest winless streak in the competition (since it rebranded in 2013/2014).
Simon Murray has scored six goals this season (two in this game), more than any other Ross County player in the Scottish Premiership.
Livingston have scored in their last four games in the Scottish Premiership, their longest scoring streak this season.
Yan Dhanda has assisted three goals this season (one in this game), more than any other Ross County player in the Scottish Premiership.
Livingston have conceded 12 goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, only Aberdeen (15) have conceded more in the Scottish Premiership this season.
Ross County have conceded eight goals to opposition substitutes in the Scottish Premiership this season, only Dundee and Aberdeen (both nine) have conceded more.
Livingston have conceded 14 first-half goals in 23 games, only Motherwell (16) have conceded more in the Scottish Premiership this season.
Ross County have avoided defeat in their last 12 matches when scoring the opening goal in the Scottish Premiership dating back to 17 December 2022 against St. Johnstone (L1-2).
Highlights: Livingston 2-2 Ross Countypublished at 00:08 31 January
Livingston 2-2 Ross County: Have your saypublished at 23:18 30 January
23:18 30 January
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Were you at Almondvale on Tuesday or following the match from home? Either way, we want your views on the game – have your say here.
Livingston 2-2 Ross County: What the manager saidpublished at 23:11 30 January
23:11 30 January
Ross County manager Derek Adams: "There were plenty of opportunities. We started well, controlled it, moved on from Saturday. We scored a fantastic goal, an outrageous finish to put us ahead. We could have gone further ahead but we didn't and allowed Livingston back in the game.
"That was difficult for us. Going in at 1-0 would have given us an advantage. The second half was a basketball match.
"We've got a young group. The average age on the pitch tonight was 24. You've got to understand the game, close it up and finish it off. With two minutes to go, we have to do better.
"We have one coming in, maybe two. It might not happen because of the timescale. That's how I see it finishing. It's been a good window for us."
Livingston 2-2 Ross County: Analysispublished at 22:12 30 January
22:12 30 January
Thomas Duncan, BBC Sport Scotland
Ross County also played some nice stuff and created chances, but they are yet to win since Derek Adams' left mouths gaping in December with his comments about a lack of quality in his squad, and in Scottish football generally.
He has brought in new recruits to address that, and the narrow defeat at Celtic Park and this performance showed improvement. But until they get a victory there will always be the question of whether the players are behind the manager after two controversial outbursts.
Yan Dhanda's future is also crucial. The midfielder has agreed to join Hearts next season and he excelled again. Should Hearts come in with an offer to take him to Tynecastle before the end of the winter window, County's fortunes would surely suffer.
Livingston 2-2 Ross County: Who impressed?published at 22:10 30 January
22:10 30 January
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Image caption,
Yan Dhanda, wearing the armband, impressed again. The midfielder set up the first goal with a wonderful pass, and put in seven crosses.
County unchanged for Livi gamepublished at 19:18 30 January
19:18 30 January
Derek Adams picks the same XI which did well in the narrow defeat at Celtic Park. Yan Dhanda plays - and captains the side - despite the fact Hearts are trying to fast-track his move to Tynecastle before Thursday.
The midfielder has signed a pre-contract deal with the capital club to move in the summer.
Adams has told BBC Scotland there has been no offer from Hearts.
After last week’s disappointing Scottish Cup exit courtesy of Partick Thistle, Ross County fans could be forgiven for dreading the trip to Glasgow to face Celtic on Saturday.
For the supporters who braved the trip, that dread may have turned into pure fear at what might be in store when Alistair Johnston’s deflected strike opened the scoring after just 56 seconds.
Before Saturday, on my four previous trips to Celtic Park to watch The Staggies, it’s been a combined score of 18-2 to the home side. It felt like another thumping was incoming.
However, it seemed like the home side had the wind taken out of their sails when George Wickens performed some incredible heroics on his Premiership debut by making two penalty saves to deny Luis Palma.
The Fulham loanee's inclusion in the starting XI surprised the majority of fans pre-match. Ross Laidlaw hasn’t missed a Premiership match in nearly two years and is very highly though of, so many expected him to regain his place between the sticks for the return to league action on Saturday.
Derek Adams decided against this and instead showed huge faith in Wickens to go out and perform in front of 58,000 people. As well as the penalty saves, the goalkeeper put in a man of the match performance and made a number of impressive stops to keep us in the match.
Adams’ new-look side, which included seven loan players, were very impressive throughout the match. They were well organised at the back and weren’t afraid to press Celtic, and at the other end they carried a real threat on the counter attack and created some brilliant chances, despite failing to take them.
Although County headed home empty-handed, they received plenty of plaudits for their performance. However, plaudits don’t put points on the board and the next step for Adams is to turn positive display into results. There's no better time to start that ahead of a season-defining run of fixtures over the next seven days.
County travel to Livingston for a classic six-pointer at the bottom of the table. The Staggies have to show they’re up for the fight against a home side desperate to half the points deficit at the bottom of the table. A win for County would send them nine points clear of their opponents and help Adams get his side back on track following six matches without a win.
Three points would also see us move level on points with St Johnstone and Motherwell, the next two teams the Dingwall side face following the trip to Almondvale.
A victory on Tuesday could be used as platform to build on, and a good haul of points in the upcoming fixtures could be used as a springboard to move up the table.
