Image source, SNSRoss County have announced the signing of Birmingham City midfielder Brandon Khela on loan until the end of this season.
The 18-year-old made his Birmingham debut earlier this season, in a League Cup game against Cheltenham Town, before making his league debut in October against Huddersfield Town.
We asked for your thoughts on Ross County's summer recruitment, now we're halfway through the season.
Here's what you had to say:
David: None have been outstanding. Ryan Leak is probably the most sure-footed, Will Nightingale not far behind. James Brown has his moments, both good and bad, and Scott Allardice is beginning to settle in nicely.
Anon: Our best signing based on performances is James Brown. He has brought a lot of energy and has been the best right-back we have had in a while. He likes to get forward too and has put some quality deliveries into the box. I could see him being captain in future.
Ross County have announced the loan signing of goalkeeper George Wickens from Fulham until the end of the season.
The 22-year-old is yet to make a first-team appearance for the Premier League side, but has enjoyed a previous loan spell with National League outfit Wealdstone United.
The 6ft 5 goalkeeper has also been capped for England at youth level, turning out for both the U16s and U18s.
He'll provide competition for current number one Ross Laidlaw, who has been a busy man in between the sticks for the Staggies this season.
Image source, SNSRoss County and Dundee are amongst the clubs interested in a January loan for Burnley's Michael Mellon. Scotland under-21 striker scored 15 goals with Morecambe in the first half of the season. (Daily Record)
Read the rest of Thursday's Scottish gossip.
Image source, BBC SportIt's been a tough season in Dingwall, but perhaps the January window can give Derek Adams the opportunity to freshen up his squad.
Before getting into new arrivals, we're asking you to reflect on the summer's dealings.
Who has been Ross County's best signing this season, and how have they made their mark on the side? What have been their highlights since heading to the Highlands?
Kyle Turner has joined Scottish Championship leaders Raith Rovers on loan from Ross County.
The midfielder, 26, arrived at County from Partick Thistle in the summer, having previously been with Dunfermline Athletic.
Turner made 23 appearances for the Dingwall club, scoring three goals and registering two assists.
"I’m delighted to sign Kyle on loan, he’s a player I have worked with before and a player who did very well last season in this division," Raith manager Ian Murray told his club website.
"Kyle adds quality, experience and depth to our squad.
"He also showed great desire to join Raith Rovers, which is something we look for immediately, and Kyle can play a variety of positions over the park."
Image source, SNSStuart Millar has returned to Ross County for a third spell, joining as the club's chief scout in Scotland.
The 58-year-old held similar roles in Dingwall between 2007-2010 and 2011-2014, and was most recently involved with recruitment at Bradford City.
The former Airdrie, Montrose and Clyde winger has undertaken a variety of jobs in football.
He was appointed Clyde manager in 2010, and also held head of recruitment and director of football roles at Stranraer.
Image source, SNS
Ross Morren, The County Corner, external
With the Scottish Premiership on pause for the winter break, it's time a take a step back and assess County's season to date.
Season so far: 6/10
It’s been a season of ups and downs so far for Ross County fans.
There was a lot of optimism that the play-off final drama against Partick Thistle at the end of last season could be used as springboard, and we could carry the positive feeling into the new season.
The Staggies started well in the league, progressed to the League Cup quarter-finals, and scored 22 goals in their first nine matches in all competitions.
However, following the victory at Rugby Park on 2 September, a dreadful run of form saw Malky Mackay leave the club, and Derek Adams returned to Dingwall for a third spell in charge.
Adams got off to a flying start, picking up seven points in his first three matches, but his side is currently on a run of four matches without a win.
Best player: Yan Dhanda
Dhanda is one of the most technically gifted players I’ve ever seen pull on a County shirt.
His ability to drive forward with the ball and deliver dangerous crosses into the box has caused problems for every team he’s come up against this season, and his outstanding goal against Hearts at Tynecastle shows how dangerous he can be from set pieces.
With only six months left on his contract, he’ll be attracting plenty of interest from bigger clubs both north and south of the border.
Most disappointing player: Scott High
Scott High arrived in Dingwall on loan from Huddersfield Town at the very end of the summer transfer window. High has made sixty appearances in the English Championship, but some transfers just don’t work out.
High’s loan has ended prematurely due to injury after just two substitute appearances.
Manager rating: Malky Mackay 5/10; Derek Adams 7/10
Mackay made some smart signings in the Summer with the likes of James Brown, Ryan Leak and Scott Allardice impressing at various points so far this season.
A defeat to St Johnstone left County 11th in the league table, and Mackay’s two-and-a-half-year stay in Dingwall duly came to an end.
Derek Adams made an immediate impact on his return earning seven points from a possible nine with three clean sheets in a row. He’s also seen his side put on an excellent performance at Tynecastle during a 2-2 draw with Hearts where on another day, the three points could have travelled back up north to Dingwall.
Predicted finish in table: 8th
On paper, County have a favourable run of fixtures when they return from the winter break. In the next seven league matches, five of them are against teams in the bottom six.
If County can pick up a good haul of points over that run of matches and have a successful January transfer window, I can see them moving away from the relegation battle and finishing around 8th.
Image source, SNSRoss County have announced the extension of Will Nightingale's loan from AFC Wimbledon.
The 28-year-old centre-back initially joined on a six month deal in the summer, but will now stay in Dingwall until the end of the season after being a mainstay of the County defence.
Nightingale has made 17 appearances since joining, helping his side to four clean sheets.
Prior to joining the Staggies the defender was a one-club man, racking up 175 appearances at Wimbledon after coming through their academy.
Ross County have announced that Scott High's loan spell at the club has been cut short due to injury.
High made only two substitute appearances for the Dingwall side, and now returns to parent club Huddersfield Town to recover from his hamstring injury.
Ross County have told Heart of Midlothian they do not want to lose Yan Dhanda in January - and with the Tynecastle club not prepared to pay a significant fee, they may sign the playmaker on a pre-contract deal to join in the summer instead. (Daily Record)
Read the rest of Monday's gossip.
Image source, BBC Sport
Image source, SNSAfter giving a good account of themselves in opening day defeat to Celtic, County picked up their first win of the season the folowing week, with Kyle Turner and Connor Randall on the scoresheet.
Image source, SNSCounty were enjoying a good League Cup campaign, reaching the quarter-finals, but Jack Baldwin's early red card gave the Staggies a mountain to climb, allowing eventual finalists Aberdeen to progress.
Image source, SNSWinless in nine, defeat to fellow strugglers St Johnstone spelled the end for Malky Mackay in Dingwall, in a sacking that surprised many.
Image source, SNSA familiar face returned to the Victoria Park hotseat, as Derek Adams made it three spells at the Highland club. He got off to a strong start, taking seven points from his first three outings.
Image source, SNSIt wasn't to stay all rosy, however. Following a last-gasp defeat to Dundee, Adams launched a scathing critique of Scottish football, saying the Morecambe squad he had left behind were 100 times better than this County team.
Image source, SNSSean McGill, BBC Sport Scotland
It's that time of year where rumours start to swirl, and fans of most Scottish Premiership clubs begin to fear their best players are going to be pinched from right under their nose.
In the Highlands, that fear is most closely attached to the Staggies playmaker Yan Dhanda, a player of such quality that suitors are always going to keep a close eye on events in Dingwall.
With the January window now open, the noise around a potential departure has become louder in recent days, particularly from the capital.
It's perhaps unsurprising some are linking Hearts with a move for the 25-year-old, given the wonderful display he put on at Tynecastle a few weeks ago - perhaps his best in the navy of County.
The joyful and incisive performance was capped off by the Englishman's sensational free-kick from 25-yards, so good that Zander Clark could do nothing but stand and watch it soar into the top bag.
Whether it be Malky Mackay or Derek Adams in the dugout, Dhanda is almost always the player who looks like he can make something happen in what has been a slog of a season.
Out of contract in the summer, he's contributed to five of County's 17 Premiership goals so far, a figure that was 11 out of 37 last term.
Curiously though, both of his managers this campaign have struggled to get the best out of Dhanda as their side slumps at the foot of the table. While the strikers are starved of service, their best creative outlet doesn't seem to be unpicking defence as he perhaps should.
You'd think keeping a player of his profile would be paramount as County try to find potentially crucial late goals, but he's often one of the first hooked when his side search for answers.
Only in six of his 19 top-flight appearances this season has Dhanda completed a full 90 minutes, with his manager shaking things up and searching for a alternative route to much-needed points.
Maybe that suggests that County could maintain their Premiership status without the diminutive Dhanda, but letting a player of his style and grace slip their fingers would be a serious risk at a time when the stakes are already high.
When you're based in one of the most beautiful parts of the world, who needs to chase the sun?
Ross County are staying put this winter break and will make their preparations for the second half of the season in Dingwall.
The players will also be afforded some time off to recover from the busy festive period and spend time with their families.
They welcome Partick Thistle to the Global Energy Stadium in their first game back, as the Jags look to avenge their dramatic play-off final defeat at the end of last season.
Image source, SNSRoss County have learned when they will fulfil their postponed fixtures following the winter break.
The Staggies will venture to Ibrox on Wednesday 14 February, looking to break Rangers' hearts on Valentine's Day.
Hibernian's trip to Dingwall has also been rescheduled, with Wednesday 13 February the new date.
Both games are set to kick off at 19:45 GMT.
Image source, SNSRoss County and St Mirren will now meet on Tuesday 27 February after their clash in Dingwall was selected for television coverage.
Originally scheduled for the following day, the fixture will now kick off at 8pm and will be shown live on Sky Sports.
The sides are locked at one win apiece in their previous two meetings this term, with Jordan White sealing late victory in the highlands before Stephen Robinson's side picked up a home victory less than two weeks later.
Image source, SNSRoss County have announced that Ben Paton has left the club following the expiry of his contract.
The midfielder signed for the Staggies in 2021, joining up with brother Harry - now of Motherwell.
A club statement read: "Ross County FC can confirm Ben Paton has left the club following the expiry of his contract.
"The former Blackburn Rovers and Canadian youth International played 22 times for RCFC and was part of the team that finished in the top six in season 2021/2022.
"We would like to thank Ben for his efforts and wish him all the best at his next club."
Image source, SNS
Ross County are not strong enough in squad depth, believes manager Derek Adams. (Press and Journal - subscription required), external
We asked which areas you would like Ross County to strengthen in the January transfer window, and your views on the 3-0 loss to Aberdeen. Here’s what you said:
Christofer: We need wingers. I think most positions in the squad are fine with some good depth and options however it’s pretty obvious the lack of wide players we have is restricting what style of football we can play.
Alistair: The Staggies are stagnant. There is no sign of any improvement since Derek Adams returned but maybe telling them their standard is the worst football he has ever seen and Morcombe are 100 times better, he didn’t exactly inspire them to try to impress him.
Ross County 0-3 Aberdeen: Watch highlights on Sportscene
Derek Adams' reaction to Ross County's defeat to Aberdeen
