Match preview: Ross County start crucial week by welcoming Motherwell to the Global Energy Stadium in Dingwall
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With the eventual defeat against Rangers last time out dubbed a free hit by both players and the manager, Ross County now face a key double header if they are to put some distance between themselves and the bottom of the table.
A trip to Hamilton Accies waits next week, but first up is a Motherwell side who do not seem to have benefitted from a new manager bounce so far.
The Steelmen have two games in hand over County, and a far superior goal difference, so extending the one-point gap between the sides would go a long way to boosting the Staggies' confidence.
In many ways, a mini-season starts now for John Hughes' men, who face all of the other bottom-half teams again before the split, so three points would be the perfect way to signal their intentions for the months to come.
Team News
Ross County: Connor Randall is the only new injury concern for the Staggies after suffering a recurrence of his back issue at Ibrox last weekend.
Goalkeeper Joe Hilton is available to make his debut after his arrival on loan from Blackburn Rovers was confirmed earlier today, but whether he will immediately take over in goal remains to be seen.
Stephen Kelly could also return after being ineligible to face his parent club, while Ross Stewart's comeback from injury continues to draw closer, despite missing the last two games.
Motherwell: Former Inverness Caledonian Thistle midfielder Liam Polworth is suspended, after being sent off against Aberdeen for the Steelmen last weekend.
Recent form
Ross County: lost 5–0 away at Rangers, won 4–1 at home against Aberdeen, lost 3–1 away at Livingston, drew 1–1 at home against St Johnstone, won 2–0 away at Hibernian.
Motherwell: lost 2–0 away at Aberdeen, drew 1–1 at home against Rangers, drew 1–1 away at St Mirren, lost 3–0 away at Hamilton, lost 2–0 at home against Kilmarnock.
Head-to-head (all competitions)
Ross County 9
Draws 6
Motherwell 15
Last five meetings
Motherwell 4–0 Ross County – Premiership, Saturday, October 24, 2020
Ross County 1–0 Motherwell – Premiership, Monday, August 3, 2020
Motherwell 4–1 Ross County – Premiership, Wednesday, March 4, 2020
Ross County 1–2 Motherwell – Premiership, Thursday, December 26, 2019
Motherwell 1–2 Ross County – Premiership, Saturday, September 21, 2019
Ones to watch
Ross County: Ross Laidlaw – shipping five goals against Rangers could happen to any goalkeeper in the Premiership, but there has always been the feeling that Laidlaw does not have the number one shirt nailed down at County.
First it was Nathan Baxter providing competition for him, and then Ross Doohan. Now it will be Joe Hilton, a fresh face to the group.
So Laidlaw may feel like he is under a bit of pressure to impress upon County's new keeper that he is not going anywhere any time soon, and if he keeps a clean sheet against Motherwell it would be all the more difficult for John Hughes to drop him.
Motherwell: Declan Gallagher – the Scotland international drew a lot of praise for his performance with the national team, but has been part of a Motherwell side that has not won any of their last 13 matches in all competitions.
With a place at the Euros up for grabs this summer, 'Well's slump will not be doing Gallagher any favours as he tries to keep his place in Steve Clarke's squad.
Motherwell have been in free fall in recent months, but the likes of Gallagher have the quality to pull them out of a relegation battle – and as far as they are concerned there would be no better time to start that resurgence than in Dingwall tonight.
Ross County manager John Hughes' pre-match thoughts
“They are round about us and we want to extend that lead, hopefully, to four points.
“We know what is at stake. We are under no illusions how difficult it will be because Motherwell are in a false position, that’s for sure.
“They have internationalists, they are a good side and in terms of Graham Alexander they have a good manager.
“It will be very difficult but if we have aspirations to remain in this league then we have to make sure we are picking up the three points.
“If you want to come to play football without any pressure then you are better not coming into it. It is all part of it, you have to thrive on that and turn that and the disappointments into your fuel.
“There is no point letting it affect you, they need to embrace the pressure and use it as their energy source to prove people wrong or to go and win games.
“The boys are taking it on because they are a good honest bunch of boys – I am confident that if these boys keep doing what they are doing on the training pitch then they will have enough to stay in the league.”
