Match preview: Ross County out to recreate cup upset and shock Celtic in Glasgow
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It is a new era for Ross County as John Hughes takes charge of his first match since being appointed manager away at defending champions Celtic.
He has been tasked with guiding the Staggies to safety, but there are not many bigger baptisms of fire than by travelling to Parkhead.
Hughes has said his role is to come in and sprinkle gold dust on players who clearly have quality, but are low on confidence and momentum.
A repeat of last month's 2–0 victory in the Betfred Cup would be the perfect way to do just that, but the Hoops will be out for revenge with that result still fresh in everyone's minds.
Team News
Ross County: Several players have returned from the treatment table in the last couple of matches, but the likes of Carl Tremarco and Ross Draper may well have to continue to settle for a place on the bench as they work to regain match fitness.
Tom Grivosti, Connor Randall , Charles Lakin and Regan Charles-Cook are on-going concerns, but there were no new issues coming out of the defeat to Hamilton for Hughes to take into consideration.
On-loan goalkeeper Ross Doohan will also miss out as he is ineligible to face his parent club.
Celtic: After going all the way through extra time on Sunday, Neil Lennon may look to rotate his squad to being in some fresh legs.
Club captain Scott Brown and summer arrival Shane Duffy both picked up knocks in the eventual win over Hearts, while James Forrest has been a longer-term absentee with an ankle issue.
Recent form
Ross County: lost 2–0 at home against Hamilton, lost 2–0 away at Aberdeen, lost 4–0 at home against Rangers, won 2–0 away at Celtic, lost 3–1 away at Kilmarnock.
Celtic: drew 3–3 against Hearts (won 4–3 on penalties), won 2–0 at home against Kilmarnock, won 3–2 at home against Lille, drew 1–1 at home against St Johnstone, lost 4–2 away at AC Milan.
Head-to-head (all competitions)
Ross County 4
Draws 6
Celtic 19
Last five meetings
Celtic 0–2 Ross County – Betfred Cup, Sunday, November 29, 2020
Ross County 0–5 Celtic – Premiership, Saturday, September 12, 2020
Celtic 3–0 Ross County – Premiership, Saturday, January 25, 2020
Ross County 1–4 Celtic – Premiership, Sunday, December 1, 2019
Celtic 6–0 Ross County – Premiership, Saturday, October 19, 2019
Ones to watch
Ross County: Billy Mckay – the experienced forward's best run of form in his career came in his four years at Caley Thistle, half of which came under John Hughes, so the new manager in Dingwall will be keeping his fingers crossed that Mckay can rediscover that lethal touch to fire County up the table.
Like so many of his teammates, the Northern Ireland international has struggled to find the net in 2020/21, scoring just twice in 21 appearances across all competitions this season.
He will be more familiar than most at the club with the new manager's style of play though, so expect Hughes to look to him to lead by example in the coming weeks.
Celtic: Conor Hazard – the 22-year-old goalkeeper was an unlikely hero for the Hoops at Hampden as they lifted the Scottish Cup, having only made his senior debut for the club 10 days earlier.
He has spent time out on loan in each of the last three seasons, but with Neil Lennon struggling to find confidence in any of his senior stoppers Hazard got his chance, and took it with both hands as he saved two spot kicks in the shoot-out.
With just one Premiership match under his belt though – albeit a clean sheet against Kilmarnock – Hazard is still adapting to life with the gloves at Parkhead, so the Staggies may be able to use that to their benefit.
Ross County manager John Hughes' pre-match thoughts
"Celtic will have gotten a lift from winning the Scottish Cup. What they've done domestically is an absolutely fantastic achievement.
"Going to extra time, they might have to rest one or two so I don't know their team, but we have to take inspiration from the last time we met them.
"If you can do it once, you can do it twice. Going to Parkhead, you need to count on your luck and take your chances, so hopefully we'll do the same as last time.
"On the other hand you know that if you get Celtic on their day you can get a sore one.
"No matter what, the gameplan is in place – if you score a goal it doesn't change, if you lose a goal it doesn't change – we have to let Celtic know they're in a game."
