Ross County

Ross County will look to continue their impressive home form and push further to confirming their safety when they welcome Motherwell on Saturday.

Should Don Cowie stick with the winning formula or change things up? Choose your XI here.

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Don Cowie is calling on Ross County to "maintain the very good home form" that has lifted them out of the relegation zone as they prepare to welcome Motherwell.

Saturday’s win over Hibernian extended the Highlanders’ unbeaten run in Dingwall to six games, which also includes victories over Rangers and Hearts.

The weekend success also moved them out of 11th place, leapfrogging a St Johnstone side who are now two points behind Cowie’s men.

"The supporters have been a massive part of it," the County boss said of his side’s positive run in Dingwall.

"The support they’ve given the group has been brilliant, we need it until he end of the season. They see a team working hard, entertaining at the same time, and they’ve really bought into that.

Following the visit of Motherwell, County face a potential season-defining trip to St Johnstone, but Cowie insists the team’s attention is solely on Saturday.

"[Saturday will be a] difficult game, but we feel positive and confident and we’ll be prepared and ready for it.

"Our focus right now is Motherwell, then we’ll start to look at St Johnstone. We’ve got three games left and it’s about getting nine points. If we get that we know we’re safe and we’ve done our job."

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Don Cowie has been speaking to the media prior to Saturday’s Premiership meeting with Motherwell.

Here are the key lines from the Ross County manager:

• Cowie expressed his delight at Saturday’s win over Hibernian, saying his side "responded really well after going behind" to get the three points.

• But consistency is still something the County boss is "searching for" and he says the team "have got to keep persevering".

• Following the news a man has been arrested for allegedly racially abusing Yan Dhanda on Saturday, Cowie says the midfielder "is in a great place" and "handled himself extremely well".

• The County boss says the fans "have been a massive part" of their positive results in Dingwall.

• And Cowie has called on his side to maintain that "very good home form" against a "very dangerous" Motherwell team.

Ross Morren
Fan writer

Ross County’s 2-1 victory over Hibernian is possibly their most important so far this season.

The three points lifted the Staggies up to 10th and out of the dreaded play-off position for the first time in 2024. With just three games to go, it could be a huge moment in their battle to secure their Premiership status.

County showed plenty of courage and character during their victory on Saturday. Prior to their win against Rangers, the Staggies had previously failed to win any of their last 45 matches when conceding the first goal.

They’ve now won back-to-back home games after going a goal behind and made it 14 points out a possible 18 available in Dingwall since Don Cowie has taken over.

Two players who embodied the desire in the County squad on Saturday were the goalscorers, Simon Murray and Jordan White.

Fans are running out of superlatives to describe Murray’s performances this season. His energy and ability to sense danger put him in the perfect position to capitalise on Rocky Bushiri’s mistake and fire in his 12th Premiership goal of the season to haul County back on level terms.

White’s action has been limited over recent months, but he came off the bench in the 76th minute and immediately got himself involved in with his pressing and physical presence.

His biggest contribution came in the 88th minute as he grabbed his first goal since February to seal a huge win for the Staggies and send the home fans at the Global Energy Stadium crazy.

The psychological boost from Saturday’s victory and subsequent move up the table at this stage in the season could breathe fresh life into County’s survival bid.

The players answered any questions that might have been lingering following the defeat to Livingston last week by going toe-to-toe against arguably the strongest team in the bottom six and coming out with three points.

Ross Morren can be found on The County Corner., external

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

What a huge win for Ross County as the Dingwall side climbed out of the relegation play-off spot with victory over Hibs.

Once again, a large part of the support's thanks must go to Simon Murray.

Nineteen goals for a relegation-threatened side? That's a seriously impressive tally for a player who has always been unfairly underrated, in my opinion.

Jordan White is eager to play a key role in Ross County's survival fight. (Press and Journal - subscription), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip

Don Cowie was "delighted" to pick up all three points against Hibs and move into 10th spot in the league.

County fans, did you take in that late win at the Global Energy Stadium or were you following the match from home?

Either way, have your say here.

Don Cowie tells BBC Scotland: "I’m delighted to win the game. I thought we responded really well after going behind. An open game, lots of chances at either end. Just delighted to come out of it with three points.

"A lot has been made of us not being able to turn the game around in our favour, but that’s the last two home games against Rangers and now Hibs. It’s a different way to win football matches, it doesn’t always go plain sailing but it’s about reacting. The boys showed great character.

"First of all, it comes from George Harmon being in the front foot and being on the ball. We spoke about that, being on the front foot. It was then about Jordan showing that clinical nature and it was a great finish.

"It’s part of what we are trying to achieve. It’s three points, we are delighted. There are three games to go. Naturally, now we are in tenth it’s a great feeling but we need to keep building on that."

The interim manager provided an update regarding an incident involving Yan Dhanda during the match.

"I know from speaking to the fourth official, I know there was a comment made that was passed onto the referee. I hope there is nothing too sinister in it.

"He seemed fine and got on with it... He showed great character to get on with it."

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Cam Wanstall
BBC Sport Scotland

An enthralling ding-dong battle in Dingwall was settled by a sublime substitute's showing.

Jordan White twice threatened Jojo Wollacott after his introduction, before punishing the Hibs 'keeper for his late lax pass - with the help of fellow sub George Harmon, who intercepted the loose ball.

It was an impressive - though sometimes fortunate - performance from the home side, who were willing to give up space in return for lightning quick attacking scenarios that Simon Murray and Co. could embrace.

A tricky game to judge tactically as both teams seemed to embrace the chaos. But, undoubtedly, terrific viewing for the neutral fan.

Simon Murray is very unfortunate here but Jordan White's 15-minute cameo was simply incredible.

The forward wreaked havoc following his introduction and threatened Jojo Wollacott's goal twice before punishing the goalkeeper for his late mistake by firing in the game-winner.

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Don Cowie opts to make three changes following last Saturday's defeat to bottom club Livingston.

Will Nightingale returns after a three-month absence alongside Josh Reid in defence. George Harmon and Victor Loturi drop to the bench in their places.

In attack, centre-forward Eamonn Brophy comes in for midfielder Josh Sims.

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Ross County: Laidlaw, Randall, Baldwin, Leak, Efete, Nightingale, Reid, King, Dhanda, Brophy, Murray.

Substitutes: Wickens, Brown, Sims, Loturi, Harmon, Henderson, Khela, White, Ayina.

Hibernian: Wollacott, Cadden, Hanlon, Bushiri, Obita, Moriah-Welsh, Newell, Boyle, Marcondes, Maolida, Vente.

Substitutes: Johnson, Levitt, Mayenda, Stevenson, Le Fondre, Triantis, Tavares, Campbell, Owens.

Ross County could welcome back Will Nightingale after almost three months out with a hamstring issue, while goalkeeper George Wickens is available after missing the defeat at Livingston.

Max Sheaf (muscle), Dylan Smith (ankle), Ross Callachan (knee) and Scott Allardice (knee) are still out.

Hibernian forward Elie Youan remains doubtful after missing the win at St Johnstone with an ankle injury while a late decision will be taken on Will Fish, who went off last weekend with a back issue.

Luke Amos could return following his injury lay-off but Lewis Miller (hamstring) and Jake Doyle-Hayes (ankle) are still out.

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

Jack Baldwin says Ross County are fully focused on catching St Johnstone and climbing out of the relegation play-off spot.

The Dingwall club trail 10th-placed Saints by one point, with captain Baldwin hoping his side can continue their improved home form.

“It was a great result for them, fighting for their lives down there," he said.

“But I think we’ll be absolutely fine in the last four games. I think we’ll pick up results along the way.

“With all due to respect to Livi, I think we’ll be looking ahead of us rather than behind us. We want to catch St Johnstone and, with three games at home, it’s a target I think is achievable for us.”

“We believe we’ve got a good chance of getting out of the spot we’re in and catching teams above us.

“There’s been a big thing made of our home form, and with three of the last four games at home, that’s something we’ll be looking to capitalise on to make sure we’re not in the same position we were in last year."

We asked for your opinion on who should be Ross County's player of the year. Overwhelmingly, there seems to only be one man worthy.

Here is what you had to say:

Aaron: Despite the tumultuous season we've had a few standouts. Simon Murray has got to take it for adding end product to his tenacious style. Special mentions to Ryan Leak who has been a great signing, Victor Loturi who's improvement has been stellar and Yan Dhanda, who we run out of superlatives for every week. We wish him well.

Ron: Player of our season? Murray - no one else comes close.

David: Obviously it’s been a pretty poor season. Ross Laidlaw’s return to the first team has coincided with an upturn in form, but the standout candidate for POTY has to be Simon Murray with an excellent return of goals.

Craig: Can only be one man. Every time he steps on the pitch he gives everything for the team. Without him we would be relegated. Murray needs a bumper new contract, we have to tie him down.

Mike: Loturi - cruises through games. Cool headed, eye for a pass and gets the ball back very well. Goes under the radar in the same team as the equally impressive, but further forward Dhanda.

Ronny: I'd say it would have been a three-way shoot-out between Ross Allardice, Connor Randall and Murray. All 3 have been solid, reliable performers this season, but I'd go for Murray. Both Randall and Allardice have not had injuries to seek - which hasn't helped the team, but Murray has ran himself into the ground every week and 11 league goals is a decent return.

Kyle: It’s Murray without a doubt. Great goals, endless running, full of fight and passion. We’d have been dead and buried if it wasn’t for him. New three-year deal as soon as possible.

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• Ross County have only had one win in their last seven league meetings with Hibs (D3 L3), a 2-0 victory in November 2022.

• Hibs have only lost one of their last six league visits to Ross County (W2 D3), going down 1-0 in November 2021.

• Ross County are unbeaten in their last five Scottish Premiership home matches (W3 D2), their longest unbeaten run at the Global Energy Stadium since April 2022 (7 - W3 D4).

• Hibs have won just one of their last eight matches on the road in the Scottish Premiership (D5 L2), although that did come in their last such match, beating St Johnstone 3-1. Hibs could win back-to-back matches on the road for the first time this season, last doing so in March 2023.

• After notching just one goal in his first five Scottish Premiership appearances for Hibs after joining on loan in January, Myziane Maolida has since scored six in his last nine league appearances. In fact, since scoring his first goal for the club (January 27), only Lawrence Shankland and Theo Bair (both eight) have scored more league goals than Maolida (seven).

Ross County return to action after last week's 2-0 defeat to Livingston with a visit from Hibs.

Who should be in the starting line-up for Saturday's match?

Put yourself in Don Cowie's shoes and pick your XI here.