Match preview: Ross County aim to keep Betfred Cup destiny in own hands against top-of-the-table Elgin City
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Ross County travel to Elgin City as favourites for their Betfred Cup group match, but looking to click into top gear after a poor run of form in the league.
It will not be an easy match at Borough Briggs either with City starting the League Two campaign in encouraging fashion, as well as sitting top of Group D with two matches to play.
With a one-point advantage going into tonight's matches, the Staggies will need to get the better of Elgin – whether in 90 minutes or with the help of a penalty shoot-out – to keep their fate in their own hands.
Team News
Ross County: Michael Gardyne is a new concern for Staggies manager Stuart Kettlewell, with the club record holder going off against Livingston with an ankle knock.
There were fears over Tom Grivosti who also needed treatment at the weekend, but the young defender is fine.
Connor Randall, Ross Draper, Keith Watson and Callum Morris were the existing names on the treatment table, but Kettlewell should have everyone else available for selection.
Elgin City: Kane Hester is not suspended for tonight's match despite his red card against Queen's Park on Saturday, as his suspension only counts for League Two matches.
That means Gavin Price has a full complement of players to pick from as he looks to mastermind an upset against County.
Recent form
Ross County: drew 1–1 at home against Livingston, lost 2–1 away at Dundee United, lost 4–0 away at Motherwell, drew 0–0 at home against Hibernian, won 2–1 at home against Arbroath.
Elgin City: lost 1–0 at home against Queen's Park, lost 1–0 away at Edinburgh City, won 3–0 at home against Brechin City, won 4–1 away at Stranraer, won 2–0 away at Montrose.
Head-to-head (all competitions)
Ross County 3
Draws 0
Elgin City 1
Previous meetings
Ross County 2–0 Elgin City – Betfred Cup, Saturday, July 14, 2018
Ross County 1–2 Elgin City – Betfred Cup, Saturday, July 23, 2011
Elgin City 1–2 Ross County – Challenge Cup, Saturday, July 24, 2010
Ross County 3–1 Elgin City – Betfred Cup, Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Ones to watch
Ross County: Charlie Lakin – the on-loan Birmingham City man has been the constant in County's midfield in recent weeks, with Harry Paton, Stephen Kelly and even skipper Iain Vigurs all spending some time on the bench.
Since coming off the bench for his debut at Montrose, he has started every match and shown that he could be a big player for the Staggies once he fully settles in.
He has trickery about him to go past his man, and provided the assist for Oli Shaw against Dundee United, and provides a valuable left-footed option when entering the final third to counter Iain Vigurs' deeper role in the side.
Elgin City: Kane Hester – the former Arbroath and Albion Rovers attacker can be an enigma, as his red card at the weekend showed, but he has a lot of quality too.
That was actually his second sending off of the campaign, but he has shown signs of being able to replace Shane Sutherland's goal tally when he is on the pitch with four goals in his opening three games.
He was prolific in pre-season too, and goals in both friendlies against Inverness Caledonian Thistle should be all the warning County need that he is capable of finding the net against higher level opposition.
Ross County manager Stuart Kettlewell's pre-match thoughts
“Elgin are at a decent level and have had a decent start to the season.
“There’s a few players in there I know pretty well from being in and around the Highlands over a period of time and a couple of younger lads who have come through our system here. Some of these guys will have a point to prove.
"They, like ourselves and Arbroath in this group, have plenty to play for. They’ll see an opportunity to qualify for the next round of the cup.
“We have to go and show our qualities and try to take the game away from them as early as we possibly can.
“We got ourselves into a brilliant position away to Montrose and then took our feet off the gas. If that’s not a lesson to us, I don’t know what is.
“It is very difficult just to click your fingers and start winning games, so these next two games can be a really good starting point for us to go and build momentum in the league.”
