Following an action packed 2-2 draw with Heart of Midlothian, the Staggies will travel to Fir Park to face high flying Motherwell in the cinch Premiership.
Still in search of their first victory of the season, the Staggies have picked up three points from their first six games. That doesn’t seem like a large haul at face value, however the opposition facing Mackay’s men were arguably the six best teams in the country. Picking up three draws wasn’t all bad, with numerous positives to take from each game.
Motherwell have had a slightly unexpected but electric start to the campaign, winning three of their matches, drawing two and losing on just one occasion. Fresh of the back of a hard-fought point away to champions Rangers, the Steelmen will prove a tough and timely test for Ross County, who desperately need to pick up three points.
Last time out, Motherwell picked up a wonderfully impressive point on ‘flag day’ at Ibrox. Despite ending up one nil down after just twelve minutes thanks to a Fashion Sakala header from just two yards out, Graham Alexander’s men dug deep. It would have been easy for ‘Well to let the floodgates open, but they stayed resolute and managed to pull a goal back through Kaiyne Woolery who stabbed home on the 66th minute mark.
In County’s last fixture, they went toe to toe with unbeaten Heart of Midlothian. The Highlanders earned their third point of the campaign in a rousing 2-2 draw. Former Staggie Liam Boyce sent the visitors one nil ahead with a fine finish and elevated his hero status even further amongst the Ross County support by suppressing his celebrations to show a mark of respect to his old club. Ross County went ahead after Blair Spittal notched a wonderful double, however the three points were ripped away after a stunning Kingsley free kick.
One To Watch – Regan Charles-Cook
Regan Charles-Cook has had a marvellous turn in form and fortunes under Malky MacKay, and his recent form and impact of the team has been exciting to watch. Constantly driving and terrorising full backs, the winger has been the biggest creative spark within the Staggies side this season. If Charles-Cook is deployed as a winger at Fir Park, he could cause real issues for the ‘Well full backs. With a goal and an assist to his name already this campaign, his confidence seems sky high compared to last season, so Charles-Cook will be ready and waiting to pounce upon any attacking opportunities which come his way.
Danger Man – Tony Watt
Tony Watt has been a household name in Scottish football for years. He seems to have finally settled in at Fir Park, where he has made a scintillating start to the campaign. Despite being played on the left wing at times, Watt has netted three times in six matches. He has proved himself to be a dangerous attacking outlet, and he is the man the County are going to have to keep at bay to be in with a chance of taking three points up the A9.
A trip to Fir Park is never an easy task, however this game presents itself to Ross County as their best chance to pick up their first win. It is going to be another hard fixture, however there is confidence within the County side that all these positive performances are eventually going to pay off with an important win. Lets hope it happens on Saturday at Fir Park.
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