Staggies View

In yesterday’s piece I said that I thought the losses to Aberdeen B and Hibernian wouldn’t matter in the grand scheme of things and it would only be an issue should we fail to get a result in last night’s league encounter with Queen of the South. Fortunately, I was proved correct as our joint-biggest winning margin in the professional league system fired us to the top of the table in style.

Well, that didn’t go to plan. In hindsight, posting a compilation of us beating a team two divisions above us while alluding to their fanbase being heroin addicts was maybe a bold move given we’d just drawn with East Fife and conceded two goals to a 15-year-old. However, what is the point of being a football fan if you can’t dream, eh? It’s been a long while since we’ve been able to resemble any form of a cup run.

Let me take you back to September 3rd, 2024. 735 days ago. What has happened in this time? Three full-time managers. Two relegations. One grumpy ex-Scotland international. All three Staggies View podcast hosts have graduated from the great institution of Glasgow Caledonian University and returned up the road. The County Corner Spotify has gone eight months without a peep.

Saturday provides Don Cowie and his playing squad an opportunity to return to home soil as Aberdeen travel along the A96 for our fourth William Hill Premiership clash of the season. The match has a different kick-off time than normal, with play commencing at 5:45 PM. The match is live on Premier Sports.

Ross County have used the free agent market to sign former Southampton academy star Josh Sims. Sims has been without a club for six months after being released upon the expiry of his deal. He had joined the Saints academy from Portsmouth and spent 10 years there, reaching the senior squad and being loaned out to various clubs. He has had some injury troubles, including a hamstring issue and a strange leg injury initially thought to be a nerve problem.

On Tuesday July 6 2022, Ross County suspended football operations after a “number of players and coaching staff test positive for coronavirus”. Two days later it was announced that we would be unable to fulfil our two opening league cup group stage matches causing the SPFL to award 3-0 victories to both Forfar and Dundee, ending any hope of progression to the next round.

Ross County made history by beating Rangers for the first time in their history, coming out on top 3-2 in Dingwall. A Jack Baldwin own goal put the title challengers ahead, but goals from Simon Murray, George Harmon and Josh Sims had County cruising. James Tavernier netted a consolation penalty for the visitors late in the day. The Staggies got off to a flying start in the opening minute. Murray found Michee Efete in behind, and his cross reached George Harmon who could only wide from close range.

By Peter Mackay Ross County 2-1 Heart of Midlothian (Simon Murray x2, Yutaro Oda) – Attendance 5267 Ross County survived a late scare in Dingwall to pick a monumental three points against third-placed Heart of Midlothian. Simon Murray netted two superb goals in either half to give Don Cowie’s side a two-goal lead. Yutaro Oda grabbed one back for the visitors early on in additional time after a Stephen Kingsley free-kick was ruled out for offside interference.

Partick Thistle defeated Ross County 3-0 to progress to the next round of the Scottish Cup and make a start in their bid to put their playoff heartbreak at the hands of the Staggies behind them. Brian Graham broke the deadlock, before Scott Robinson and Stuart Bannigan added to a miserable afternoon for County. Thistle had the first shot of the match. Steven Lawless was blocked off by the Staggies’ new signing Eli King, and it fell to Robinson who curled an effort slightly too high.

They say the third time is the charm when it comes to success – but that is not the case for Derek Adams, who is hungry for success for a whopping third time in a row. Following the shock sacking of Malky Mackay from Ross County, Staggies Chairman Roy MacGregor has chosen his replacement, who just so happens to be an incredibly familiar face.