Ross County

We asked for your thoughts after Ross County were defeated by Partick Thistle in the Scottish Cup fourth round.

Here's a taste of what you had to say:

Iain: I don't think any County fan is surprised that we lost this tie. I think it was an awful decision to take Derek Adams back, the way he has acted since he returned plus this interview, it sounds like he is desperate to get sacked and move back to England, and in my opinion it should happen straight away.

Grant: There’s no fight in this team. Derek Adams has a lot of work to do.

Davie: Wow, another shocker of a performance. At home in the Scottish Cup and we only play one up top. Well done Partick, played us off the park.

Alan: When Derek first came in he hit the ground running with a couple of good results but since then things haven't gone well, apart from a draw at Hearts. His post-match interviews have been nothing short of atrocious. It wouldn't surprise me if he was relieved of his duties in the next few weeks as I don't think the players are playing for him.

Alistair: Terry Butcher turned up as the new manager of Hibs and made stupid comments that caused their players to stop playing for him and they were relegated. Adams has made the same mistake which appears to be having a similar effect. Highland derby back on next year?

Colin: Looks very much like under Adams Ross County will be playing in the Championship next season. He has put good players out on loan and replaced them with mediocre players from his Morecambe days. Was disappointed the headlines in today's paper wasn't about him leaving. He has lost the dressing room and refuses to take any blame.

Kyle: Adams is toxic for County and Scottish football. If his negative comments weren't damaging enough his taking over of the running of the club in an old-school dictator role is ruining lots of good changes. Regardless of results of late the club had made good changes in regards to reducing the number of loan players etc. Adams has ruined all of this.

Image source, SNS

Derek Adams believes his players are "embarrassed" to be knocked out of the Scottish Cup by second-tier side Partick Thistle.

The 3-0 defeat was the Dingwall side's fifth game in a row without a win.

"I think they are embarrassed at having been beaten by a Championship team," Adams said.

"I’ve been here as part of a third-division team and beaten a Premiership team, so that can happen, but they were better than us.

"They deserved to win the game, and that’s not being disrespectful, that’s just the nature of being in different leagues."

Ross County have released a statement condemning "criminal behaviour" towards their fans before their match against Partick Thistle.

The statement read: "Ross County Football Club are aware of a video circulating on social media regarding an incident on Ferry Road, Dingwall prior to yesterday’s match against Partick Thistle. Two young Ross County supporters were accosted and their drum was forcibly taken from them by a group of youths. The drum was later recovered having been destroyed.

"Both clubs completely condemn this type of criminal behaviour prior to football matches. We have been in contact with the individuals affected and are providing them with our full support. The incident is subject of a live police investigation and both clubs will fully co-operate with their enquiries. It would be inappropriate to make any further comment in relation to the circumstances of this incident at this time.

"Anyone with information should contact their respective club or Police Scotland."

Image source, SNS

On-loan Fulham goalkeeper George Wickens is pleased to finally have signed for Derek Adams at Ross County after almost joining the manager's previous club, Morecambe. (Press and Journal - subscription required)

Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip

County fans, we want your thoughts on both your side's performance and Derek Adams' comments after you crashed out of the Scottish Cup.

Have your say here.

Ross County manager Derek Adams hopes to sign Shrewsbury Town forward Tom Bloxham, 20. (Press and Journal - subscription required), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip

Ross County striker Alex Samuel has joined Highland rivals Inverness Caledonian Thistle on loan until the end of the season.

The Welshman has struggled for game time this season, with the vast majority of his appearances coming from the bench.

Having joined the Staggies from Wycombe Wanderers in 2021, the striker returned from an ACL injury last term and played his part as County survived in the Premiership play-off final.

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

Ross County's "strong" squad is flattering to deceive this season, according to Ross County fan Mark MacDonald.

The Dingwall side currently sit 11th in the Scottish Premiership, despite having several high profile players, on relatively high wages, in their squad.

"It's definitely, name-wise, as strong a squad as I can remember," MacDonald said, speaking on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"You've got a Scotland cap in Eamonn Brophy. You're looking at players that have played at a high level elsewhere as well, whereas that League Cup winning squad, as much as that was a great squad, it was a side that went on to do bigger things afterwards.

"Whereas this is a side that they've had careers elsewhere and have then come up to County - the names and the cost is there for all to see.

"So it's a side that I feel like it should be doing better. The opening game against Celtic, I thought that might set the tone for the season but it didn't really. We were actually quite unlucky I felt that day to not get something at Celtic Park, which isn't a feeling that I'm really used to.

"There can't be many teams that go to Celtic Park and score two and still don't get a point. So it's been a disappointment."

Image source, Getty Images

Ross County have signed left-back Cameron Borthwick-Jackson on loan from Polish side Slask Wroclaw until the end of the season.

The 26-year-old started his career at Manchester United, and had loan spells with Wolves, Leeds United, Scunthorpe United, Tranmere Rovers, and Oldham Athletic, before joining Oldham permanently in 2021.

Borthwick-Jackson then signed for Burton Albion, before moving to Poland last year, where he has been a bit-part player for Slask.

Ross County return to domestic action on Saturday when they host Partick Thistle in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup.

Would you throw in any of the club's new signings if you were in Derek Adams' position?

Pick your County XI here.

Image source, SNS

Liam McLeod is joined by former Ross County manager John Robertson and Staggies fan Mark MacDonald to review the Dingwall side’s season so far.

Listen to the full episode here.

Ross County are yet to receive any offers for Yan Dhanda amid speculation surrounding the playmaker. (Press and Journal - subscription required), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip

Image source, SNS

Eilidh Davis, BBC Scotland

Derek Adams says he hopes Ross County will have their sixth January signing by next week.

The Dingwall club have already brought in three bodies this window, with the trio all joining on loan from English sides.

Fulham goalkeeper George Wickens will challenge Ross Laidlaw in between the sticks, while Cardiff City's Eli King and Birmingham City player Brandon Khela add to the Staggies' midfield options.

Adams said: "We've got three already confirmed, we'll have a fourth one confirmed today or tomorrow, and we'll have a fifth and sixth confirmed - hopefully - by next week.

"We've done really well in the transfer window so far. We've got agreements in place with clubs, we just need to tie down the further details in it, but we're doing well.

"To get six players in this window will be excellent progress."

Meanwhile, many County fans will be wondering about a potential departure from the Highlands, with reports linking Yan Dhanda to a move this month.

However, Adams insists the club intends for the midfielder to stay in Dingwall this window and there has been no bids in from other teams.

"We've had no offers from any clubs for Yan. He's with us until the end of the season and that's what we want to continue."

Eilidh Davies, BBC Scotland

Ross County's Derek Adams has been facing the media ahead of their fourth round Scottish Cup tie against Partick Thistle.

Here were his main points:

• Says "no offers from any clubs" for Yan Dhanda, who is in the final six months of his contract.

• Wants six January signings - and expects their fourth to be announced today or tomorrow, with an agreement already in place with the club.

• Wants County to "progress as far as [they] can" in the Scottish Cup.

• On facing Partick Thistle in last season's play-offs, says: "The teams have changed since last season but the way we want to play has changed as well. We’ve changed personnel."

Image source, BBC Sport

Ross Morren, The County Corner , external

One of Derek Adams’ biggest achievements during his previous spells as Ross County manager came in 2010 when he guided his side to the Scottish Cup Final. County, a First Division side at the time, embarked on an incredible cup run which included a stunning 2-0 win against Celtic in the semi-final at Hampden.

Although the final ended in disappointment for The Staggies as Dundee United ran out 3-0 winners, the cup run made a lot people involved in Scottish football sit up and take notice of Ross County.

Since that remarkable Scottish Cup campaign in 2010, the competition hasn’t been very kind to us.

The Staggies have played 25 matches in the competition since that day out at Hampden, winning just seven. In three of the last four seasons, we've been dumped out by lower league opposition.

Derek Adams will be aiming to improve that record as he aims to take his side back to Hampden once again.

County fans would have to cast their mind back to January 2019 to find the last time their side was victorious in a Scottish Cup tie when a Brian Graham double earned a 2-1 win over Motherwell at Fir Park.

Graham returns to Dingwall on Saturday looking to cause another Scottish Cup upset, this time with Partick Thistle. The away side will have revenge on their mind travelling north as it’s the first time the sides have met since that incredible Premiership play-off final back in June.

Saturday’s cup tie is going to be a tough test of Adams’ side as they return to action for the first time since the 2 January.

Hopefully, County can avoid the levels of drama endured during Thistle’s last visit to Dingwall and comfortably make it through to the fifth round of the Scottish Cup for the first time in five years.

Image source, BBC Sport

The January window is a curious beast.

Notoriously tough to navigate, you never quite know what quality of player is going to stumble through the door and be thrust into the madness of a midway season. Sometimes, they're a revelation. Sometimes, they're rotten.

We're asking you to cast your mind back and tell us the best player Ross County have signed in a winter window, and the January transfer that still gives you nightmares to this day.

Let us know.

Image source, Getty Images

Ross County have signed Cardiff City midfielder Eli King on loan.

He will be reunited with Derek Adams, who was his boss at League Two's Morecambe.

The 21-year-old made 24 appearances for Morecambe after signing a season-long deal in July, scoring twice before being recalled last week.

The Wales Under-21 international has featured for parent club Cardiff seven times.