Three takeaways from Ross County's crucial Scottish Premiership win over Livingston
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Ross County took a big step towards Scottish Premiership safety with a 2-0 win over Livingston in Dingwall.
A somewhat disjointed spell early on gave way to a dominant performance, helped along by Alex Iacovitti's header finding the far corner at the end of the first half.
Alex Samuel claimed a second around the hour mark, and things went from bad to worse for the visitors when Kurtis Guthrie was sent off for violent conduct after clashing with Keith Watson.
It was a crucial three points for the Staggies, who moved to within one point of both Kilmarnock and Dundee United due to results elsewhere.
A timely boost, then, here are three things to take away from the victory with post-match reaction from Malky Mackay and Iacovitti.
Putting the pieces together
Ross County really struggled to wrestle the ball off Livingston in the early going, and the spaces they left in the middle of the park did not help.
There were moments where it was as though the Staggies were playing with separate teams of defenders and forwards, with nobody linking the two halves of the side.
County resorted to long balls forward too often as a result, as it was almost impossible for them to play through Livingston with no link between the defensive and attacking units. That is not even a particular criticism of any individual, but it does go some way to explaining why there was not much fluency in County's early play.
Once they got their noses in front, it was a different story. You could see the Staggies grow in confidence, and they looked a cut above Livingston by the end of the match.
Passes began to be strung together, forward players were getting in behind their markers and movement from back to front became far more seamless.
That is the level County need to be at from now until safety is secured. Anything less, and it will be a big ask to stay in the top flight.
Alex Iacovitti's thoughts: "We're so delighted, that has been coming. We started off a little bit nervy, but after the goal went in we took the shackles off and really played our game.
"We were a real problem for them throughout, and the subs that came on were brilliant. That's what goals do for you.
"The nerves go, and we can crack on and play our football to show everyone how good we are. We were terrific today, so we've got to keep going now."
Quality delivery
If a team struggles to break down their opponents with the ball at feet, their next best mode of attack usually comes from set-pieces.
That was one area the Staggies did look dangerous at, with Yan Dhanda and George Harmon each sending dangerous crosses into the middle fairly early on.
County arguably should have scored when the former picked out Simon Murray at the back post, and it was a reminder of Dhanda's quality even when they weren't playing particularly well.
It should have been no surprise, then, that it was another cross from Dhanda that led to the opening goal from Alex Iacovitti, taking full advantage of a drop ball after a break for injury.
Another pinpoint delivery in the second set up Alex Samuel to put the result beyond doubt.
Dhanda's ability on the ball is no secret at this point, but it is a weapon that not many other clubs have in the bottom half of the table – it could be the difference maker that keeps Ross County in the Premiership.
Manager Malky Mackay's thoughts: "I was really disappointed when we lost Yan for five weeks, because he had got to the point where he understood what to do with the quality he has in the final third.
"Crosses and shots, with the strike of a ball he has, is what he needed to give us more of a return on to have an impact. He had to understand the hurly burly nature of the Premiership too, and he was getting to grips with that before he got the foot injury.
"He played through it for a week, but then he was out for five, so I'm delighted to have him back because it shows the quality we have – with him, Alex Samuel and Josh Stones all back, it certainly helps with the three injuries we've got at the moment."
A long-awaited moment
You could have been forgiven for writing off Alex Samuel's Ross County career at one stage.
Making just seven appearances for the club before picking up a cruciate injury in March 2022, he was hardly the number one choice in attack even without the lengthy lay-off.
Then, after missing so much time and with plenty of competition for places after heavy recruitment in attack during the January transfer window, it seemed like a big ask for him to make an impact on the Staggies' relegation battle.
Coming on against Livingston, though, it did not take him long to find the net for County's second goal of the afternoon.
It was his first for the Staggies since signing at the end of August 2021, and a welcome moment for all given his time spent in the recovery room.
In fact, both he and Josh Stones looked full of energy when they came on for Simon Murray and Jordan White, so Malky Mackay may have some decisions to make over who starts in the final weeks of the campaign.
Alex Iacovitti's thoughts: "I'm absolutely buzzing for him – he trains so hard every day, so if there's one man who deserved that it's him.
"He was out for a year, and he worked his socks off throughout the whole time he was injured. He's a great lad as well, he came in the dressing room before every game to wish us the best of luck.
"When he was doing his rehab, he was giving it his all, and since he has come back he's a totally different player.
"He's a nightmare for any centre back to play against in this division, him and Josh Stones both bump and pin you – they're horrible to play against. That's what we needed at that point (in the match), and when they came on they were both excellent."
