Ross County

Image source, SNS

• Ross County have won just one of their last six Scottish Premiership matches against Hibernian (D2 L3) and are without a win in their last three (D2 L1). In fact, Ross County’s last league match was a 0-2 loss to Hibs, making this match the first time the Staggies have ever played the same opponent in consecutive matches in the Scottish top-flight within the same season.

• Hibernian have only lost one of their last five Scottish Premiership away games against Ross County (W2 D2), going down 1-0 in November 2021 under Jack Ross.

• After losing three home league matches on the bounce between December and February, Ross County are unbeaten in their last two (W1 D1) and are looking to make it three unbeaten at home for the second time this season – also doing so between November and December 2023.

• Hibernian have drawn each of their last three away matches in the Scottish Premiership, they haven’t drawn four in a row on the road since May 2018.

• Ross County defender Ryan Leak is the only player in the Scottish Premiership who has made 100+ clearances (124), won 100+ duels (184), won 100+ aerial duels (119) and made 40+ interceptions (44) this season.

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Interim manager Don Cowie believes he's instilled a "togetherness" in his Ross County squad as they continue to scrap for Premiership survival.

His side have picked up four points from their two home games, and will look to add to that when they host Hibernian on Wednesday night.

"We've worked really hard in the previous five games, showed a real togetherness," Cowie said. "Now it's about trying to add a little bit of quality to that and make the opponents defend as well.

"The club had gone through a tough period, it was well documented. I set about from the outset to bring that calmness, bringing that unity and togetherness at this club.

"It's the foundation of why we've been so successful over a number of years. It’s about bringing that together and I'm seeing a real togetherness. Now it's about building up on that and adding the finer details, just to make us an even better team because I really believe in the group."

Despite having seven loan players in the squad, Cowie was certain that his players are fighting as one to prevent relegation.

"What's very unique about our football club is that we all live in a smaller area. Geographically, everyone's within fifteen minutes of Dingwall," he added.

"They spend a lot of time with each other, it's not just a case of they train and then they don’t see each other again.

"Whether it’s like last week [when] I know there was quite a few of them golfing, or whether it's going for coffee together - that's important because that makes them feel part of this community and makes them feel together with what we're trying to achieve at this club."

Image source, SNS

Ross County interim manager Don Cowie has been talking to the media before his side host Hibs in the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday.

Here are the best bits from his press conference:

• Cowie thinks it's good to play Hibs again so quickly as it allows County to "focus and zoom in" on what happened in previous match.

• Says it's "important" to build on home form - they've picked up four points from their last two games in Dingwall.

• Simon Murray, Yan Dhanda and Connor Randall are all back fit - Cowie believes this is the "strongest" squad he's had at his disposal since he took interim charge.

• County have shown "a real togetherness" in last few games and now just need to add quality.

• Individual mistakes are "part of football" - Cowie spoke about County being both the victims and beneficiaries lately, and how they need to learn from them.

Ross Morren
Fan writer

Don Cowie will hope an eleven-day break since Ross County’s last match will refresh his side going into a tough run of fixtures before the split.

The Staggies welcome both Edinburgh sides to Dingwall in the space of a few days with Hibernian making the trip north on Wednesday evening before Hearts travel up the A9 on Saturday.

Following the international break, County play both Aberdeen and Kilmarnock away from home before rounding off their pre-split fixtures by welcoming league-leaders Rangers to Dingwall.

Based on the current league table, four of the remaining five matches are against sides in the top six. That’s not an ideal run of fixtures for a side sitting in the play-off spot.

Four of County’s five victories in the league this season have come at home, with Cowie picking up four points from a possible six in his first two home matches as interim boss. With two home matches coming up, can County take advantage and narrow the gap to Aberdeen in tenth?

If the Staggies are to pick up points during the run-in they’ll be keen to get some of their key players back on the park, especially Simon Murray.

Murray missed the 2-0 defeat to Hibs due to illness and his attacking threat was sorely missed. His energy and direct running can cause defences all sorts of problems and it looked like he formed a dangerous attacking trio with Jordan White and Eamonn Brophy in the two previous matches in Dingwall.

In the 2-0 defeat at Easter Road against Hibs, County were well in the match before George Wickens’ mistake for the opening goal turned the game on its head. If County can cut out the defensive errors that cost them in Leith and welcome back Murray to partner White and Brophy, the home fans will be hopeful they can pick up a vital three points in their quest for survival.

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

In a reverse of Ross County's previous fixture, they host Hibs in the Scottish Premiership.

The previous match at the start of the month ended 2-0 to the Easter Road side, so should Don Cowie shake things up?

Tell us your preferred starting XI here.

Birmingham City are confident about Brandon Khela's development on loan at Ross County. (Press and Journal - subscription required), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip

Image source, SNS

There's no doubt Simon Murray has been hugely important for Ross County in front of goal this season.

He's the club's top scorer this term, netting seven of County's 24 league goals so far, from an expected goals of 5.52. That overperformance is indicative of a good level of finishing.

The striker has had 55 shots, 21 of which have been on target, and he's converted a third of those.

He's also created 31 chances, with only Yan Dhanda offering up more for County. If Don Cowie is to guide the Dingwall side to safety this season, you suspect Murray will have a key part to play.

Ross Morren
Fan writer

Ross County have enjoyed their visits to Leith to face Hibernian over the past couple of years.

Goals from George Harmon and Alex Iacovitti earned a 2-0 win back in November 2022, while a stunning Jordan White volley earned Malky Mackay’s side a point in the capital after coming back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 last October.

Based on that recent record in Leith and County picking up four points in the last two matches, fans were optimistic before Saturday's trip to Easter Road.

However, an uncharacteristic error from George Wickens in the second half allowed Myazine Maolida to tap home, and Dylan Levitt added a second for Hibs late on as County chased the game.

Despite the defeat, there’s positives to take from Don Cowie's reign so far. Cowie has had to learn on the job during a tough run of fixtures where his side have played three top-six sides in his five matches in charge.

With one win, one draw and three defeats, he’s overseen an upturn in form since the sacking of Derek Adams, who only took one point from his final five league games. County have also scored more goals and conceded fewer across Cowie’s five matches in charge compared to his predecessor’s final five matches.

Based on the stats, there has been an improvement in both performances and results under the interim manager.

Cowie’s record could have looked even better were it not for defensive errors against St Mirren and Hibs. He’ll be keen to iron out those mistakes and see his side exact revenge when Hibs travel to Dingwall on 13 March.

You can find Ross Morren on The County Corner, external.

We asked for your response to County's 2-0 loss to Hibernian. Here's a flavour of what you had to say.

Anon: Defensively, we were dealing competently with Hibs’ threat until Wickens’ error turned the game. He was uncharacteristically shaky all afternoon.

The second goal resulted from us hooking our full-backs to chase the game. Hibs were the better team and County badly need to find some creativity. We are sorely missing Dhanda’s influence.

'If Don Cowie is going to get this side out of trouble, he needs to sort out his back three' - Neil McCann

Watch the best of the action as Hibs score twice in the second half to beat Ross County at Easter Road. (Available to UK users only)

Image source, SNS

• Hibs attempted 547 passes in this game, their highest total in a single match in the Scottish Premiership this season.

• Ross County have failed to score in 15 of their 28 games, more often than any other team in the Scottish Premiership this season.

• Hibs are undefeated in their last four games in the Scottish Premiership, their last longer unbeaten streak was from 28 October 2023 to 3 December 2023, a run of six games.

• Elie Youan has assisted four goals this season (one in this game), no Hibs player has more in the Scottish Premiership.

Were you at Easter Road or following the match from home? Either way, we want your views on the game – have your say here.

Ross County manager Don Cowie: "I thought we defended very well. The game swung on an error from our goalkeeper. He's held his hands up.

"To that point I was happy with how we were playing, the crowd were starting to get a bit quiet. So it was disappointing the timing of it.

"But we still had enough time to get back in the game. Eamonn has a chance he could take on another day.

"But again I see plenty of positives from my team.

"I'm seeing a team working ever so hard. I would like to see more quality at times but we now have a 10-day period until the next game so it's up to me to work on that until then.

"We could have looked after the ball a bit better and caused them more problems. We have players technically who can do that.

"It's just about giving them the freedom and belief to go and do it.

"There are still 10 games left so plenty of points to play for. As long as we make sure come the split we're in there fighting to stay in this league, that's all I can ask from the team."

Image source, SNS

Thomas Duncan
BBC Sport Scotland

Having picked up four points in their last two games, Ross County were decent again but clearly missed Simon Murray, who was absent through illness.

He has scored nearly 30% of County's league goals and is so influential in creating chances too.

George Wickens has looked a solid addition in goals, but ultimately it was his error in dropping Dylan Vente's cross that handed Hibs the breakthrough.

Those errors keep cropping up in the County rearguard, which they seriously need to address.

Ross County welcome back captain Jack Baldwin for the first time since before the winter break.

The centre-back takes his place in a back three in place of Loick Ayina.

James Brown also comes in, with striker Simon Murray absent from the squad.

• Follow the action

Ross County: Wickens, Brown, Efete, Baldwin, Leak, Reid, Loturi, Sheaf, King, White, Brophy.

Substitutes: Laidlaw, Borthwick-Jackson, Sims, Harmon, Henderson, Khela, Jenks, Ayina.

Image source, BBC Sport

Hibernian midfielder Luke Amos is facing a couple of weeks out with a muscle injury sustained against Dundee last weekend.

Long-term absentees Josh Campbell and Jake Doyle-Hayes remain sidelined.

Ross County are set to have an unchanged squad, although midfielder Ross Callachan is stepping up his training programme following a long-term knee injury.

Will Nightingale, Connor Randall, Scott Allardice, Dylan Smith and captain Jack Baldwin also remain out.

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

Ross County interim manager Don Cowie has challenged his side to impose themselves on Saturday's game at Easter Road despite acknowledging the strength of Hibernian's attacking options.

County have collected four points from their last two games and have the chance to edge closer to the teams above them when they take on Nick Montgomery's side.

Hibs are unbeaten in four games, though, and attacking-minded players Martin Boyle, Dylan Vente, Elie Youan, Myziane Maolida and Emiliano Marcondes have all been among the goals in that run.

"It will be a very tough game against a team that has very good attacking players," Cowie said on a club video.

"So we will need to defend very well and then it's about us trying to implement our game and causing them problems."