Ross County

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Ross County manager Don Cowie has been speaking to the media before the first leg of their Premiership relegation play-off away to Livingston on Thursday night.

Here are the key points:

• Cowie admits the play-off is a "huge moment" for County and as the Premiership club the onus is on them to get the job done - "there is no hiding place".

• Cowie says he hasn't thought about the consequences for himself if County are relegated. He adds: "I have been at this club over two spells for over 16 years, I am from the area, it means a lot to me in terms of the job that I have got, I am very proud to be the manager of this football club and I will be doing everything I can to make sure I am here long term."

• Despite their poor recent form the County boss has been stressing to his players the next two games are an opportunity to turn things round, but they "have to earn the right to win" and will need to perform "at a really high level".

• Cowie believes their experience of winning the play-off in the past two seasons shows "there are different ways you can get through the scenario we are in".

• He is expecting a tough challenge against good Livingston side who will be "very confident about themselves".

• Cowie says everyone at the club is well aware of the importance of bringing Premiership football to the Highlands: "It is something the area craves and it is our job to go and give them that again next year."

• Team news: It will be the same squad they went with against Motherwell last time out.

Ross Morren
Fan writer

Ross County face the Premiership play-off for the third consecutive year following a bitterly disappointing end to the season.

At the start of March, Don Cowie's side moved on to 35 points after a 1-0 victory over Kilmarnock and looked like a contender for a top-six place.

Two months and nine matches later, the Staggies have only picked up a further two points and slid down the table to finish 11th for the third season in a row.

Along with the dramatic loss of form, injuries to key players have hampered Don Cowie's ability to make tactical or personnel changes during matches.

In the 1-1 draws against Dundee and Motherwell in the final two league matches, County were by far the better team in the first half but failed to match those performance levels after the interval when their opponents made changes to provide a different dynamic and threat.

Now play-off opponents Livingston will be desperate to take advantage of County's frailty and secure their place back in the Premiership.

Livingston have already got the better of Cowie's side this season, winning 3-2 after extra time in the Scottish Cup in January, so they'll take a lot of confidence from that result as well as their recent run of form of six victories in seven matches.

There's plenty of play-off experience among the County squad following the wins over Raith Rovers and Partick Thistle in previous seasons, so they'll need to step up once again to show the character and quality required to secure their Premiership status.

Ross Morren can be found at The County Corner, external

We asked for your views on Ross County's draw with Motherwell, confirming their place in the Scottish Premiership relegation play-off.

Here's what you had to say:

Callum: Really annoying we failed to win again. We need to start defending and scoring more and making it hard for the opposition players, get into them more and keep the ball.

Alistair: Don Cowie has proven he hasn't got a clue. He would have been sacked weeks ago if he had been at another club.

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• Ross County have failed to win in their last nine games in the Premiership, their last longer winless streak was from 9 December 2023 to 17 February 2024, a run of 10 games.

• Ross County have scored in their last four games in the Premiership, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of eight games from 14 December 2024 to 25 January 2025.

• Ronan Hale attempted six shots in this game, the joint-highest total for a Ross County player in the Premiership this season.

• Hale has scored 12 goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other Ross County player.

So, County fans, it's the relegation play-off again.

Having seen off Partick Thistle and Raith Rovers in very different circumstances, how confident are you the Staggies can beat the drop again?

What did you make of Sunday's draw with Motherwell, and would you like to see any changes for the first leg against Livingston on Thursday night?

Send us your thoughts using this link.

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Ross County manager Don Cowie told BBC Scotland: "In the end, we were fortunate to come away with a point but first half we were very good, and deservedly in front.

"We are just really disappointed we didn't manage to build on it in the second half.

"Motherwell made a lot of substitutions, had a carefree style, and put us under a lot of pressure.

"We find ourselves in the play-off not because of today, but because of the last two months. I was really keen for us to get that victory.

"I really enjoyed the first half, but it's being able to do that for the 90 minutes.

"If we perform the way we did first half, it gives us a real opportunity in the play-off. If we perform when we're not quite connected against Livingston, they'll take advantage. We have played against them before in the cup and they beat us after extra time.

"We know the challenge but what's important is we have the right mindset and get ready for Thursday night."

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How much will County, and Cowie, take from an hour of positive football? He'd have ripped your arm out its socket had you offered him three points just a little earlier, when his team embarked on their inexorable slide to 11th place.

Their toothlessness has long been a problem. Even St Johnstone, bottom of the league since late December, have outscored them.

Hale leads the line brilliantly with his persistence and creativity but far too much rests on the shoulders of their fulcrum.

Again, their inability to convert pressure into goals plagued them. Again, their frailties were exposed when the game turned and the visitors placed them in the thumbscrews.

They've been here before, of course. The staggering comeback against Partick Thistle in 2023. The far less frenetic dispatching of Raith Rovers last year.

They head to this play-off without a win since 1 March, form abysmal and confidence shredded.

Livingston have won eight of their past 10 matches.

David Martindale and his Lions will be licking their lips.

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• Should Ross County fail to win, they will finish 11th for a third consecutive season in the Scottish Premiership – the last side to finish 11th or lower in three consecutive Scottish top-flight seasons were Dunfermline Athletic from 2004-05 to 2006-07, who were relegated in the third of those campaigns.

• Ross County have won their past two league games against Motherwell, but have never beaten the Steelmen three times in a row in the top flight before.

• After their 2-1 defeat in November, Motherwell could lose successive Scottish Premiership away games at Ross County for only a second time, after November 2015.

• Ross County have only won their final game in one of their past six Scottish Premiership seasons (D2 L3 – including curtailed 2019-20 season), although that was over Motherwell in 2020-21 (2-1).

• Motherwell have lost their final game in three of the past four league seasons, winning the other 3-2 over Dundee United in 2022-23.

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Ross County wing-back Zac Ashworth returns from suspension. Kacper Lopata is a doubt and James Brown has an issue which could keep him out.

Jack Grieves remains out along with Ross Laidlaw (glandular fever), Scott Allardice (knee), Andrew Macleod (groin), Noah Chilvers (knee) and Ryan Leak (Achilles).

Johnny Koutroumbis returns to the Motherwell squad after suspension but they will take no risks with Liam Gordon, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos and Paul McGinn, who are back in training.

Kofi Balmer (hamstring), Shane Blaney (knee), Sam Nicholson (knee), Jack Vale and Zach Robinson (both Achilles) remain out.

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Ross County take "confidence and momentum" into their final-day attempt to secure survival thanks to their dramatic last-gasp equaliser at Dundee in midweek, says manager Don Cowie.

The Staggies were set to be consigned to a second-bottom finish until Ronan Hale tucked away a stoppage-time penalty at Dens Park.

Now Cowie's side must beat visitors Motherwell on Saturday, and hope Dundee lose to St Johnstone, to avoid a third successive relegation play-off.

"It was important that we made sure there was something to play for in the last game," manager Cowie said.

"We wanted to beat Dundee, we didn't manage to do that but it was important we found a way to get that equaliser. There's real clarity, we have to win on Sunday and that's what we'll be trying to do.

"Confidence plays a big part, the manner in which we got the equaliser was really important, it gives us momentum going into Sunday.

"We've got a real opportunity, the most important thing is that we win on Sunday. That gives us real clarity and focus going into the game.

"We've been through this process before and what has got us through is togetherness, the fans being right behind the team.

"I'm sure they will turn out in their number and give us the backing we need to try and get over the line."

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Don Cowie has been speaking to the media before the final-day game with Motherwell as Ross County attempt to avoid finishing in the relegation play-off spot.

Here are the main points:

• The County manager says Wednesday night's draw against Dundee has given his side "real clarity" and is pleased they sill have something to play for heading into the final league game.

• Cowie adds the manner of the draw on Wednesday - scoring late on to end a run of seven straight defeats - has given the County players "momentum" for the weekend.

• On the controversial penalty that gave County the equaliser: "Maybe people don't agree with the decision, it doesn't mean it's wrong."

• Cowie stresses his side will do everything they can to win the game on Sunday and try to avoid the play-off.

• The 42-year-old is urging County supporters to get "right behind the team" and help them "get over the line" on Sunday.

• On striker Ronan Hale, who was on the scoresheet again, Cowie says the forward has been "back to his best" in recent weeks and is sure he's excited to "score a few more goals before the season ends".

• Kacper Lopata, who came off at half-time on Wednesday night, is a doubt for Sunday's game, as is James Brown. Jack Grieves will miss the match.

Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

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Ronan Hale's dramatic penalty equaliser six minutes into stoppage time not only relegated St Johnstone but rescued Ross County's hopes of escaping second bottom and a play-off to avoid dropping to the Championship themselves.

But for that goal, hosts Dundee would have been safe and dreaming of their holidays as they travel to face the doomed Saints on Sunday.

Instead, Tony Docherty's side have been dragged into a final-day shootout to avoid facing whoever wins the Premiership play-off semi-final after Friday's second leg between Livingston and Partick Thistle, which Livi lead 2-0 from the first leg.

Whichever manager finds himself in that position will come under increasing pressure amid question marks about whether they will be given the chance to chase a quick return to the top flight next season.

Don Cowie has been in this position before, being handed the County job permanently after leading his side to a play-off victory over Raith Rovers last season as interim boss.

Heading into Saturday two points adrift, the Dingwall side remain favourites to finish second bottom in three successive seasons.

Especially as they must end an eight-game run without a victory to stand a chance of leapfrogging Dundee - and even then they must also hope the Dark Blues also lose in Perth.

County had lost seven in a row before Saturday's draw opened a backdoor escape route and Motherwell arrive having lost just once in five outings, so the signs are not promising.

However, Cowie's side have not lost to Sunday's visitors in three meetings this season, winning the past two, the latest by 3-0 at Fir Park in February.

Meanwhile, in addition to that late stunner against County, Docherty has been left cursing some controversial refereeing decisions in recent weeks as he looks to extend Dundee's stay for a third season since promotion.

It leaves the Dark Blues without a win in three outings and he will be hoping Saints, who have themselves only won once in six, are not motivated into one big goodbye performance.

A repeat of the 1-1 draw at Dens Park in March would probably be enough for Docherty's side and they will take heart from the 3-1 win on their last visit to Perth in January.

Read all the final weekend Premiership picks

We asked for your views after Ross County secured a dramatic 1-1 draw against Dundee in the Scottish Premiership.

Here's what you had to say:

Rick: Dundee were there for the taking in the first half. They looked disorganised and kept playing backwards, causing the home fans to boo, but we were wasteful, couldn't finish and the game was littered with mistakes - Akil Wright's back pass for example. I couldn't take any more and left in the 90th minute, missing the penalty, but no regrets.

Ali: Here we are again, play-off time, unless lady luck shines on us on Sunday. However she has not been good to us recently with the injuries and the loss of form of some players. But we also have to admit that we suffered greatly from some rather enigmatic team selections and tactical decisions of late. We need to get back to a formation that the players understand. A massive performance from Jordan Amissah against Dundee kept us in the game - well done big man. The team are still fighting so the fans need to fight with them on Sunday. Come on the Staggies.

Watch highlights as Dundee draw 1-1 against Ross County in the Scottish Premiership.

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Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Ronan Hale wanted to step up and "be the man" for Ross County as his dramatic 96th-minute penalty rescued a priceless point against Dundee.

County looked to be heading for a damaging eighth successive Premiership defeat until Hale's stoppage time spot kick kept alive their hopes of avoiding the relegation playoff spot.

The Staggies remain in 11th but just two points behind Dundee heading into the final weekend when County host Motherwell and Dundee head for relegated St Johnstone.

Hale shrugged off a glaring miss in the second half to confidently dispatch the most pressurised of penalty kicks.

"It's one of them where someone's got to step up and do it, and I know that I can do it, so I wanted to be that man for the team," Hale told BBC Scotland.

"I had a good chance in the first half and in the second a massive chance, so I wanted to be that man for the redemption, and thankfully I put it away.

"It's massive for the club. It gives us that fighting chance. We've been on that seven-game losing run, and it hasn't been great, but we've stuck in it.

"The 96th minute, all the boys are out on their feet, and we've come up with that one chance. It gives us a fighting chance Sunda,y and we'll focus on ourselves."

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• Dundee have lost 28 points from winning positions in the Premiership this season, more than any other team.

• Ross County have failed to win in their last 8 games in the Premiership, their last longer winless streak was from 9th December 2023 to 17th February 2024, a run of 10 games.

• Dundee have failed to win in their last 3 games in the Premiership, their last longer winless streak was from 9th January 2025 to 1st March 2025, a run of 8 games.

• Lyall Cameron has assisted 5 goals in the Premiership this season (1 in this game), no Dundee player has more.

• Ronan Hale has scored 11 goals in the Premiership this season (1 in this game), more than any other Ross County player.

Ronan Hale's dramatic 96th-minute penalty rescued a draw for Ross County against Dundee, relegated St Johnstone, and ensures both these sides go into the final weekend of the season still battling to secure their Scottish Premiership status.

What did you make of County's performance?

Share your views.

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Ross County manager Don Cowie: "It's massive, it means on Sunday, it's all to play for. When you get to the stage of the game, to somehow find an equaliser.

"I know Dundee will feel a bit aggrieved, just in the manner [it came]. It was a pretty nothing cross that goes in the box and they win the first contact and it hits their second defender on the arm.

"They'll be really disappointed, but we were probably due that little bit of luck and we'll certainly take it.

"Ronan showed a lot of bottle going up. The pressure must have been immense stepping up and he must be delighted with the way he dealt with that pressure. Incredible character that he showed stepping up.

"There was no doubt in his head that he was taking it. ( I see him every day, practise his penalties. He's so confident.

"You can see how alive he's looking. He was unfortunate in the first half with the one that deflects onto the bar. He has a good opportunity in the second half, which he doesn't take, but he just puts himself back in that position time and time again.

"To step up with that composure and with that authority, I'm delighted for him."

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Ross County's wastefulness has been central to their struggles this season – they are the lowest scorers in the Premiership – and it was evident again at Dens.

They created several promising openings. Hale was unfortunate to see his deflected strike hit the crossbar rather than the net after brilliant run from halfway that took him past several defenders.

Wright should have buried his header from the subsequent corner after being left unmarked just six yards out.

Tiffoney's goal for Dundee seemed to knock the stuffing out of County, though they really should have levelled when Hale blazed horribly wide from eight yards after being teed up by Alex Samuel.

It's to Hale's credit that he brushed that aside to hold his nerve for the most pressurised of penalty kicks.

And while County would have loved a win, they have ended their seven-match losing run in the nick of time.

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• Dundee have lost all three of their Scottish Premiership games against Ross County this season, but have never lost four in a row against the Staggies in the top flight before.

• Ross County have never beaten a single opponent four times within the same Scottish top-flight campaign before, something they will achieve over Dundee should they win here.

• Dundee have only won their final home game in one of their past nine top-flight campaigns (D4 L4), a 3-1 victory over Hibernian in 2021-22.

• Ross County have only won their final away game in one of their past six Scottish Premiership seasons (D2 L3 – including curtailed 2019-20 season), a 2-1 victory at Motherwell in 2020-21.

• Since Christmas Day, Dundee have won just one of their 10 home league games (D3 L6), and have the fewest home points in the Scottish Premiership in this time (six).