Ross County

Ross County want to sign Watford goalkeeper Myles Roberts, who is on loan at Partick Thistle. (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Sunday's Scottish gossip.

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Kilmarnock captain Kyle Vassell was taken to hospital with a shin injury after the new-year win over St Mirren.

But fellow forward Marley Watkins is expected to return and winger Danny Armstrong is back from suspension.

Matty Kennedy is battling a back problem, while Stuart Findlay is a long-term absentee.

Ross County will check on the fitness of Michee Efete and Ryan Leak after the defenders went off injured in Thursday's win at Aberdeen.

On-loan midfielder Aidan Denholm is back at parent club Hearts to have a hamstring injury assessed, while Eli Campbell, Ross Laidlaw, Will Nightingale and Alex Samuel miss out.

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• Kilmarnock have only lost one of their last nine Scottish Premiership home games against Ross County (W6 D2), going down 0-1 in September 2023.

• After their 2-1 victory in October, Ross County are looking for back-to-back wins over Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership for the first time since September 2017.

• Kilmarnock have won each of their last three home league matches, last winning more in a row in the top-flight in January 2019 (run of five) under Steve Clarke.

• Ross County have won both of their last two away league outings, as many as their previous 31 on the road beforehand (W2 D9 L20). Never before in their top-flight history have they enjoyed three away wins in a row.

• Kilmarnock's Bruce Anderson has scored seven Scottish Premiership goals against Ross County – his most against a single opponent.

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Aidan Denholm's loan spell with Ross County has ended after the midfielder suffered an injury during the Dingwall side's Boxing Day win against Dundee.

The 21-year-old now returns to parent club Hearts to undergo rehab as he attempts to "return to action this season".

Denholm made 17 appearances in all competitions for County and contributed two assists.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Akil Wright revelled in his wonder goal and insisted Ross County should be targeting the top six this season rather than merely staying in the Premiership.

The defender sent a stunning 25-yard volley into the top corner at Pittodrie to set Don Cowie's men on their way to a second successive away win.

County, now unbeaten in three games, occupy 10th spot but are just five points off sixth-place Motherwell in a congested table.

"Yeah, no reason at all," said Wright.

"We believe in ourselves, we have done well in the last three games and we have kept that confidence.

"Winning is always going to give you that extra bit of confidence going into the next one so there is no reason why we can't look up rather than down.

"But there are lot of teams around that mix so it is about picking up points as best you can and hopefully come the end of the season we are in a good position."

Wright admits he's never likely to better his sensational strike against the Dons.

"I will never do that again I don't think," he added.

"I took probably the perfect touch and once I hit it I knew it had a chance and thankfully it has gone in. Just watching it go in was the best feeling."

We asked for your views on Ross County's 2-1 win against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

Here's what some of you said:

Rick: After 14 months of away pain, two wins from two, outstanding and worth the frostbite!

Shaun: Great team performance and a terrific win over the Dons. Every single County player delivered, it was brilliant to see. Strong debut from Nohan Kenneh, pleased to see him back. Hero of the day must be Akil Wright - what an unbelievable strike! He has been a great signing.

Ian: Cracking first half. Just a poor free-kick to give in the dying minutes of the first half. Second half Aberdeen were the better team but some dink and some strong defending from the team. What a turnaround by Don Cowie and the team.

Roger: Seems if somehow County could get a couple of good players in, with Cowie at the helm, a move up the table could definitely be on.

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Akil Wright: Goal of the year 2025 has already been won by the 28-year-old defender who got it oh so right against Aberdeen.

Noah Chilvers: A beautiful fluke of a goal to win it at Pittodrie. The midfielder exemplified County's industry and increasing confidence on the road.

Watch the best of the action from Pittodrie as a stunning strike from Akil Wright helps Ross County to a 2-1 victory over Aberdeen at snowy Pittodrie.

(Available to UK users only)

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• Ross County have beaten Aberdeen for the first time in the Premiership since 9 April 2022, a run of eight games without a win.

• Aberdeen have lost their last four games in the Premiership, their last joint longest losing streak was from 24 February 2024 to 13 March 2024.

• Ross County are undefeated in their last three games in the Premiership, their last joint longest unbeaten streak was from 26 October 2024 to 2 November 2024.

• Aberdeen have scored in 17 of their 20 games, no team has done so more often in the Premiership this season.

• Noah Chilvers has assisted 3 goals in the Premiership this season (1 in this game), more than any other Ross County player.

• Kevin Nisbet attempted 8 shots in this game, the highest total for a Aberdeen player in the Premiership this season.

Aberdeen's winless run extended to nine games as Ross County recorded their second Scottish Premiership away victory in a row.

County remain 10th but move seven points away from the bottom spot, while Aberdeen stay third.

What did you make of that, County fans? Who impressed you in the win at Pittodrie?

Has the last few weeks given you confidence? Let us know your thoughts here, external.

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Ross County assistant manager Carl Tremarco told BBC Scotland: "Back to back away wins is very pleasing considering how long we waited to get them. The boys are pleased.

"The first half we were good, we were really disappointed to come in at 1-1. But it was a test of character. It was a carbon copy of Hibs away and it was a challenge to the boys to go out second half, to not succumb to the pressure we knew we'd be under. We'd have to ride our luck at times and we did it. We deserved it.

"One absolute cracker, I'm not sure about the second! We know [Noah] Chilvers has that quality. When he's one on one in the penalty area, boys are scared to make contact. Whether he's meant it or not, he showed quality.

"It was always going to be a tough period. Seven out of nine is a strong turnaround from us and we go into every game with confidence. We won't get carried away. We'll enjoy it for an hour or so."

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

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County's first-half display was largely superb and while Akil Wright's strike - a goal of the season contender - was unusual in how it arrived, it was no less than they deserved.

Amissah's mistake was unfortunate. The ball skidded along the surface in the snow, while it was genuinely hard to see the ball at times given the strength of the blizzard at Pittodrie.

He was incredible in the second-half though, and any fears over where the future of the County gloves lie were answered in his remaining performance.

Last season, County relied on the occasional magic of Yan Dhanda and this season they have Chilvers to depend upon. It's taken him a few months to find his feet but he is a dangerous player who cannot be given an inch by the opposition.

More importantly, they continued on the confident performance they showed against Dundee a week ago. To win consecutive away games after 15 months without shows incredible resilience.

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Akil Wright. Could have gone to either of the goalscorers, but let's give it to Wright for scoring perhaps the goal of his career.

Weirdly, Jordan Amissah was also in contention. After conceding a calamitous equaliser, he produced three saves in the second-half that stopped certain goals.

Amissah made amends in a big way.

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Whether in defence or midfield, Connor Randall has become an ever-present for Ross County since his arrival from Bulgarian club Arda Kardzhali in summer 2020 and, as club captain, the 29-year-old Liverpudlian appears settled in Dingwall.

However, any offers to their full team of players out of contact this summer may have to wait until County know whether or not they are clear of relegation trouble.

Other contracts expiring: Jordan Amissah, goalkeeper; Jack Hamilton, goalkeeper; Logan Ross, goalkeeper; Ryan Leak, defender; James Brown, defender; Scott Allardice, midfielder; Victor Loturi, midfielder; Charlie Telfer, midfielder; Max Sheaf, midfielder; Eammon Brophy, forward; Alex Samuel, forward; Jordan White, forward.

Read more: Premiership summer free agents facing uncertain January

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Nohan Kenneh has returned to Ross County on loan from Hibernian for the remainder of the season.

The 21-year-old midfielder previously made 18 appearances for County after joining on a six-month loan in January 2023.

"We are pleased to bring Nohan back to the club," said manager Don Cowie.

"He had a really positive impact on the team in his first spell and played an important part in retaining our Premiership status. He helps to bring a different dimension to our midfield area."

Ross Morren
Fan writer

It's safe to say the festive fixtures have been full of joy for Ross County fans.

On Boxing Day, the Staggies finally ended a 481 day wait for a Premiership away win with an outstanding 3-0 victory at Dens Park. Three days later, goals from Josh Nisbet and Jordan White in the 97th and 99th minute salvaged a dramatic 2-2 draw against Hearts.

The away form in 2024 has been a constant thorn in County's side. They've come close on a couple of occasions to picking up an elusive away win until key moments in those matches went against them.

The Staggies were dominant from start to finish at Dens Park so to finally pick up a victory on the road in such an emphatic manner was the perfect late Christmas present for everyone associated with Ross County.

It was an excellent team performance at Dens Park by County, but the standout player on the day was Noah Chilvers. The midfielder scored his first County goal with a fine finish outside the box in the first half, but his vision and creativity was on full display when his run and reverse pass set up Josh Nisbet to make it 2-0.

Chilvers' performances and influence on the park are growing week by week and he's starting to establish himself as the talisman of this County team.

Three days later, it looked like the Staggies were struggling to match the performance levels shown against Dundee as Hearts seemed to be well on their way to taking three points back to Edinburgh.

Several County fans had already seen enough and left the ground going into stoppage time, but they would end up regretting their decision.

When Josh Nisbet's goal halved the deficit in the 97th minute, even the most optimistic County fan would have thought the goal was little more than a consolation.

However, the Jail End has seen a few dramatic comebacks over the years and would witness another when Jordan White's 99th minute equaliser would steal a point from the match.

Momentum can be crucial at this stage of the season when matches are taking place every few days. The Staggies have now picked up four points from a possible six in their last two matches, with both Nisbet and White scoring in consecutive matches.

Don Cowie will be hoping his side can continue to build their momentum going into the New Year as they face trips to Aberdeen and Kilmarnock.

Ross Morren can be found at The County Corner, external

Ross County are keeping a close eye on Oldham Athletic goalkeeper Mathew Hudson, with the 26-year-old out of contract in the summer and also attracting a string of English clubs. (Daily Record), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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• Aberdeen have won five of their last six league meetings with Ross County (D1), keeping four clean sheets in the process.

• Ross County have lost both of their last two league visits to Aberdeen, this after only losing one of their previous five beforehand (W2 D2).

• Aberdeen have only lost their first league game of a calendar year in two of their last 15 years (W8 D5), losing 0-1 to Motherwell in 2020 and 0-2 to Rangers in 2018.

• Excluding 2019 when they were promoted, Ross County have only won their opening Scottish Premiership game of a calendar year once in their last nine attempts (D3 L5), a 3-1 win over Motherwell in 2022.

• Jamie McGrath has scored six goals in his last six Scottish Premiership appearances against Ross County, including five in five for Aberdeen.