Ross County

After the fixtures were released on Thursday, we asked how you Ross County will start the season after narrowly avoiding relegation last term.

Here's what you had to say:

Ian: We’re fighting above our level as is the Highland way. There’s some good teams in the league so I think it’ll be another tight season. I think we’ll be above the relegation zone but very much in the stramash.

Alexandrina: I worry that we need more firepower up front. Hopefully we can bring someone in to take the pressure off Simon Murray. If not, I think we’ll be fighting relegation again.

Chuck: I think we’ve had a good off-season and added wisely to our roster. I think our offense looks particularly strong so I think we can stay clear of the regulation zone.

Rupinder: We’ve been quietly going about our business in the transfer market and Don Cowie is building the foundations of a solid team. Hopefully we won’t be involved in another relegation struggle this year.

Lisa: I’m really worried for our rivals. I think we’ll surprise a few people this year. Come on the Staggies!

Anon: If the fans get behind the team, we can make Dingwall a fortress. A good start and anything is possible. A bad start and it might be a case of deja vu.

Sandra: I’ve been a season ticket holder for 20 years and I’ve never been more confident going into a new season. The Stags have got their swag back. I think we might even be in contention for the top six.

Francisco: As they say in my native Italy, County will fight with the spirit of the bull, or should that be spirit of the Staggies? I think we will finish well clear of relegation.

Chad: With Cowie at the helm and a good dose of Highland spirit, anything is possible. I think we can give some of the bigger boys a run for their money.

Ronny: I’m delighted to see Will Nightingale back, and hopefully we keep a hold of Murray - but we need another three or four really decent signings on top of that, otherwise we're going to be back in the same position as the last two seasons.

Graham R: I’m hopeful for a better season, having faced the past two play-offs. We need to strengthen our defence and if Ryan Leak still features then I reckon we will ship some really silly goals.

Bertie: We’ll be full of confidence after the play-off win, Cowie to guide us to top-six, in Don we trust.

Graham C: With Nightingale back and Cowie at the helm, we will be right in the fight next season. Cowie is pulling together a great squad and has the noose to get the best out of the Staggies.

Callum: We really need to defend well if we want a top-six finish and Europe, we need to do so much better and score more.

Image source, SNS

Will Nightingale has returned to Ross County for a second season-long loan spell from AFC Wimbledon.

The 28-year-old made 28 appearances for the Dingwall club last term as they survived in the relegation play-off with victory over Championship runners-up Raith Rovers.

After becoming a fixture at the heart of the defence last term, Nightingale thanked Staggies supporters for making him feel welcome in his first spell away from his boyhood club.

Don Cowie says the centre-back's ability to lead will bolster their options next term.

"We are really pleased to have Will back on board," the manager said.

"He was a big part in keeping the club in the league last season and his experience and leadership qualities were a massive boost to the club throughout his first spell."

Now the fixtures are out, how are you feeling about your side's start to the season?

Where do you think Ross County will be after the first 10 games? Will they be toiling near the bottom or pushing towards the top six?

Give us your thoughts. , external

After securing their Scottish Premiership status in the play-offs once again, Ross County fans have another season of top-flight football to look forward to.

Opening fixtures against Motherwell and Dundee United kick things off before a trip to face Rangers on the weekend of Saturday, 24 August. Uncertainty remains over where that game will be played because of delayed building work at Ibrox.

The festive season could prove important if the Staggies are to stave off another relegation fight.

Don Cowie's men host St Mirren on Saturday, 21 December, followed by a Boxing Day trip to Dundee.

County travel to Hearts on Sunday, 29 December, before starting the new year with trips to Aberdeen and Kilmarnock.

Their final fixture before the split comes in Paisley as they take on St Mirren on the weekend of Saturday, 12 April.

Fixtures for the 2024-25 Scottish Premiership season have been released.

The campaign will kick off with Hearts hosting Rangers at Tynecastle, a repeat of the sides' final league game of last season which ended in a 3-3 draw.

Newly-promoted Dundee United entertain derby rivals Dundee, while Celtic begin their title defence with the visit of Kilmarnock.

Jimmy Thelin's first Premiership game as Aberdeen boss is a trip to Perth to face St Johnstone.

David Gray starts his reign as permanent Hibs head coach away to St Mirren, while Motherwell are to home to Ross County.

The opening round of fixtures will be played from 3-5 August.

Ross County begin their 2024/24 Scottish Premiership campaign with a trip to Fir Park to take on Motherwell.

The match will take place on Saturday, 3 August at 15:00 BST.

You can find all of County's fixtures here

Image source, SNS

Hearts have recruited "one of the most exciting players" in the Scottish Premiership in Yan Dhanda, says head coach Steven Naimsith.

In January, BBC Scotland reported the 25-year-old had agreed to join the Tynecastle club and would move following the expiry of his deal at Ross County.

The Gorgie side have confirmed the midfielder has penned a three-year deal after two impressive seasons in the Highlands, where he scored 12 goals and provided 18 assists in 79 games.

Naismith says the signing is "another statement" from Hearts, who have also sealed deals for Blair Spittal, James Penrice, Daniel Oyegoke, Musa Drammeh and Ryan Fulton.

"I think it’s clear to see that [Dhanda's] one of the most exciting players in the league," the Tynecastle boss added.

"If you look back at his career, he dealt with the pressure of being a top prospect in a big club’s academy at Liverpool and decided he didn't want to just be comfortable... he wanted to go out and play and progress his career.

"He did that at Swansea City and Ross County, and now he’s getting his rewards for all of his hard work over the past few years by coming to Hearts."

Image source, Getty Images

The 2024-25 SPFL schedule will be unveiled at 09:00 BST on Thursday, and we've got all the information you need before the return of domestic football.

The action in all four leagues kicks off on the weekend of 3 August.

Eight months later, the Premiership split happens on the weekend of 12 and 13 April and the top-flight season concludes on the weekend of 17 and 18 May.

And while it might be too painful to be thinking about the national team, there are international periods in September, October, November and March to bear in mind.

There will not, however, be a winter break this season.

The expansion of Uefa's club competitions - with the new league phase of the Champions League and Europa League running until the end of January - is the reason for that.

The SPFL said the format change "exerts additional pressure on the domestic calendar" and means no mid-season trips to the sunshine for Premiership clubs.

Image source, SNS

Ross County midfielder Max Sheaf has signed a new contract to stay at the club until 2025.

Sheaf, 24, arrived on a two-year deal from Redditch United last summer, but has now agreed revised terms for the next 12 months.

He made 19 appearances last term before missing the final month through injury.

Count boss Don Cowie said: "We are happy to have Max under contract for next season, he was performing well before his injury and we look forward to him returning to action with us in the near future."

Image source, SNS

Ross Callachan has taken the "perfect next step" in his career by joining Motherwell from Ross County.

The midfielder, 30, has signed a one-year deal at Fir Park with the option of a further 12 months.

Callachan joined County three years ago but missed all of last season after rupturing his ACL.

Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell said: "He's been unfortunate over the past year with injuries but has recovered well and is ready to kick on.

"We believe he can really add quality to our midfield."

Callachan joins his seventh senior Scottish side, with most of his 333 appearances coming at first club Raith Rovers. He has scored 28 goals.

He has spent most of the past seven years in the Scottish Premiership with Hearts, St Johnstone, Hamilton Academical and County.

Callachan, who follows Kofi Balmer, John Koutroumbis and Tom Sparrow in moving to Fir Park this summer, said: "I can't wait to get back on the pitch.

"Last season was tough for myself but my recovery has gone to plan and the opportunity to play for Motherwell was something I simply couldn't turn down."

Image source, SNS

Ross County defender Michee Efete has signed a two-year contract to keep him in Dingwall, the club have announced.

The 27-year-old joined County on a free transfer in January after leaving Grimsby Town, and made 18 appearances last season as Don Cowie's side secured their top-flight status.

"We are excited to have Michee extend his time at Ross County," Cowie said.

"He has impressed since joining the club and played a big part in keeping the club in the league."

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Ross County have confirmed left-back George Harmon will remain at the club after agreeing a two-year contract.

Since joining from Oxford City in the summer of 2022, the 23-year-old defender has made 74 appearances for the club while scoring four goals.

Manager Don Cowie says he is "delighted" to see the Englishman extend his stay in Dingwall.

"He has been an important player for us over his time at the club," Cowie adds. "We look forward to having him at the club for a further two years."

Chief executive Steven Ferguson says Ross County are in discussions with "five or six" prospective new signings and remain in talks with four out-of-contract players, with agreements closer with full-backs George Harmon and Michee Efete and talks ongoing with winger Josh Sims and midfielder Ross Callachan. (Press & Journal), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

Image source, BBC Sport

If you could only buy one, sell one, and loan out one player at Ross County, who would you pick?

That was the question we asked you to answer, with the transfer window now open.

Here are some of your thoughts:

Kid: County should buy a strong centre midfielder and a clinical striker to play alongside Simon Murray. In Don we trust.

Anon: They need to do some clever scouting and bring in four or five driven players. The return of Will Nightingale would be ideal if possible, but we definitely need a goalscorer and a strongman to marshall the defence and midfield.

Lewis: Sign a new centre-back and someone who can take over Yan Dhanda’s position.

The transfer window opens on Friday and we want to know what matters to you most this summer.

If you could only buy one, sell one and loan out one player at Ross County, who would you pick?

Click here, external to let us know.

Image source, SNS

Representatives from Celtic, Hibernian and Ross County feature on the SPFL board for the 2024-25 season.

County director James MacDonald, Hibs non-executive chairman Malcolm McPherson and Celtic chief executive Michael Nicholson make up the Premiership contingent.

Paul Hetherington (Airdrieonians) and Graeme Mathie (Ayr United) will represent the Championship, while Andrew Allan (Alloa Athletic) and Allan Maitland (Clyde) have been elected for League 1 and 2.

In a statement, the SPFL say clubs also "voted unanimously" to approve a recommendation that a new Ifab protocol for permanent concussion substitutes is used across all SPFL competitions.

"Each team will be allowed one concussion substitute per match in addition to the normal number of substitutes and substitution opportunities," they say.

"If that concussion substitute is used, the other team is allowed an additional substitute."

We asked you Ross County fans what you thought of Kyle Turner's exit and whether you back Don Cowie in the summer transfer window.

Here's what you had to say:

Anon: I trust Don Cowie's judgement. He has to manage a small group of players with a small budget. He has to use his limited resources to give RCFC the strongest team possible and I'm sure he will.

Anon: Kyle Turner has work to do at Partick Thistle - there was a smug look on his face when he scored that penalty for Raith Rovers to come back against Thistle in the play-offs. He will have to work really hard to get the fans back on his side.

Craig: Turner never got a proper crack at it with County. He looked a good player when given the chance, it's a shame they have let him go. He looked like he could be the Yan Dhanda replacement. Interesting to see who we bring in.

Anon: I think it was a very good idea to let him go although he was a very good player who could have benefitted County.

Some on social media raised an eyebrow as it was announced Kyle Turner would leave Ross County and rejoin Partick Thistle earlier this week.

You've had a few days to digest the news, so we want to know how you're feeling.

Has Don Cowie made a mistake in letting the midfielder slip through his fingers? Or is it the right move as County look ahead to another season in the top flight?

Give us your thoughts. , external

Image source, SNS

The results are in. And they may be a surprise.

We asked you to cast your vote on whether the Scottish Premiership should keep VAR or scrap it.

More than 3,000 of you responded to the poll - and while there was a clear majority, it was no landslide.

Those in favour of ditching VAR totalled 67% of voters, while 33% were in favour of favour of keeping it.

Image source, SNS

Kyle Turner has rejoined Partick Thistle after being released halfway through his Ross County contract.

The midfielder moved to the Staggies on a two-year deal last summer and went on to make 23 appearances, scoring three goals, before spending the second half of the season on loan at Raith Rovers.

Turner, 26, has now signed a two-year contract to return to Thistle, where he previously spent two seasons.

Confirming his departure, County said: "Everyone at the club wishes Kyle the very best of luck in the next chapter of his career."

Image source, SNS

BBC Scotland will continue to broadcast live matches and highlights from the Scottish Cup for another five years.

The new deal extends the BBC's arrangement of showing a game from each round - up to and including the final - on a free-to-air platform.

The contract also allows the broadcaster to produce "near live digital highlights".

The Scottish Youth Cup final will also be shown live for the next five years.

• Read the full story

Image source, SNS

Controversy and VAR have been intertwined ever since its implementation in the Scottish top flight in October 2022.

From handball decisions to fouls and penalties, managers and fans alike have had grievances over the technology - and the length of time taken for decisions to be made.

With the 2023-24 season complete and the new campaign a number of weeks away, would you rather see VAR scrapped from Scottish football or persevered with?

Cast your vote here.