Ross County

Ross Morren
Fan writer

There was late drama once again in Dingwall as Ronan Hale's 87th-minute penalty rescued a point for Ross County against Hibernian on Saturday.

Hale's penalty was the 17th goal that the Global Energy Stadium has witnessed from the 76th minute onwards in matches this season. The Staggies fell on the wrong side of late drama in recent weeks against Celtic and Livingston, so thankfully they were on the right side of it this time.

County's performance was a tale of two penalties. In the first half, Jordan White - who had scored his three previous spot-kicks this season - witnessed his fourth saved by Hibs goalkeeper Jordan Smith.

It looked like County were going to rue that missed opportunity until Hale's late leveller.

One of the biggest positives for County fans was seeing three academy graduates on the park at the same time. George Robesten, Andrew Macleod and Dylan Smith all made positive impacts on the match, with Robesten and Macleod, in particular, playing a big part in the move which led to County's second penalty.

Robesten and Macleod earned rave reviews during their loan spell at Brora Rangers during the first half of the season and both handled the step up.

Macleod impressed a lot of County fans with his performances in the group stage of the League Cup this term and he grew in confidence against Hibs with every minute he was on the park

Robesten, making his first Premiership start, used his pace and power to cause the Hibs backline plenty of problems.

Smith has already experienced first-team football at County, making his Premiership debut at 16. The Scotland Under-19 international has returned from a successful loan spell at Arbroath and he'll be keen to get a consistent run in the team again.

Don Cowie showed a lot of faith in all three players on Saturday and they didn't let him down. If they can continue their development and grow in confidence with more minutes on the park, the future will be bright for County.

Ross Morren can be found at The County Corner, external

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

George Robesten: Not a bad way to make an impression, the 19-year-old Ross County academy product provided the cross that led to the penalty.

Watch highlights of Ross County's 1-1 draw against Hibs in the Scottish Premiership.

We asked for your views on Ross County's 1-1 draw against Hibs.

Here's what some of you said:

Les: Can anyone explain to me, and dozens of other supporters why does Jordan White make the team week after week? Wouldn't even have him on the subs bench.

Graeme: Which County will turn up on match day? On 12 January, County played well for 80 minutes at home to Celtic. Six days later, they were knocked out by lower league opponents. Against Hibs, with three new players, they put in another solid performance. Don Cowie must instil a consistent mentality in the squad otherwise it's the play-offs again!

Ellis: Thought all the young guns played their part especially George Robertson up front. What a player he is, the way he plays, his physique, strength, pace and fitness he could be a big asset to this team. Can see him making this club big money in the future. Decent team performance from the boys and a solid point at home.

Iain: It wasn't a high quality game, Hibs had the better of it slightly but all in all I think 1-1 was a fair result. I was at the game and I can barely remember any proper clear chances for either team.

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• Hibernian are undefeated in their last eight games in the Premiership, their last longer unbeaten streak was from 12 May 2021 to 26 September 2021, a run of nine games.

• Hibernian have lost 18 points from winning positions in the Premiership this season, more than any other team.

• Hibernian have scored in each of their last eight games in the Premiership, scoring 17 goals in that run.

• Ross County have scored in each of their last eight games in the Premiership, scoring 12 goals in that run.

• Hibernian have scored in their last eight games in the Premiership, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of 12 games from 7 February 2024 to 4 May 2024.

• Ross County have scored in their last eight games in the Premiership, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of 11 games from 11 December 2021 to 9 February 2022.

• Ronan Hale has scored six goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other Ross County player.

• Nectarios Triantis has assisted three goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), no Hibernian player has more.

Ronan Hale's 88th-minute penalty rescued a draw for Ross County at home to Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership on a difficult pitch in Dingwall.

Dylan Levitt stroked in the opening goal three minutes before half-time after brilliant work from Nectarios Triantis to set him up inside the box.

Ross County struggled to create chances in response, and it looked as though they would rue Jordan White's missed penalty when the game was goalless.

The striker's tame effort was saved by Hibs goalkeeper Jordan Smith, after Nicky Cadden was penalised when the video assistant referee spotted a handball from Noah Chilvers' cross.

But they were given a second chance from the spot when Kieran Phillips was felled by Smith, and this time Hale smashed the ball low and hard past the Hibs goalkeeper.

There was a frantic finish as both sides flung the ball into the respective boxes from set pieces in stoppage-time, but there was no late winner.

Hibs extended their unbeaten league run to eight matches and stay sixth, while Ross County are 10th, eight points clear of bottom side St Johnstone.

County fans fans, were you at the game on Saturday or following the action from home? Either way we want your thoughts on the performance.

Have your say, external

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Ross County manager Don Cowie hailed the impact of academy products Andrew MacLeod, George Robesten and Dylan Smith, who all played a part in the closing stages of Saturday's draw with Hibernian.

"It's an important point. We kept going right to the end and I'm delighted in terms of three academy products having a big impact in the last 15 minutes for us, so it's a big pat on the back to them.

"Jordan [White] has been very good with his penalties, it was a big moment in the game. We have the chance to take the lead and don't take it and then we get punished right before half-time.

"It's great composure from Ronan [Hale] when we get the second opportunity [from the penalty spot], he tucks it away. Andrew MacLeod does fantastic to win the ball on the transition and feeds young George [Robesten], who puts in a great ball and Kieran [Phillips] does what good strikers do to get across the front post and we get a penalty."

Thomas Duncan
BBC Sport Scotland

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No ground has seen more goals after the 76th minute this season than the Global Energy Stadium.

County have scored seven of them and conceded 10, and manager Don Cowie will be relieved this time it was not late heartbreak as it was last time out against Celtic.

Hale took no chances when driving his penalty straight down the middle with real ferocity, with White having fluffed his effort in the first half.

Cowie will also be pleased at the impact of 19-year-old Robesten as he delivered a dangerous low cross which lead to the penalty, having played the first half of this season in the Highland League on loan at Brora Rangers.

Both he and fellow 19-year-old Andrew MacLeod were crucial in the move which lead to the equaliser.

Having been solid at home under Cowie's management they are now without a win in five in Dingwall while their away form has picked up.

The soft, muddy, and bumpy pitch which has been damaged by brutal weather conditions cannot be helping their cause, but they kept going and got their reward.

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Ross County are unable to field on-loan Hibs midfielder Nohan Kenneh against his parent club. Jack Grieves misses out with a head knock, while Michee Efete, Ryan Leak (Achilles), Alex Samuel (thigh), Ross Laidlaw, Eli Campbell and Will Nightingale (all knee) are all set to remain sidelined.

Youngsters Dylan Smith, George Robinson and Andrew McLeod are in contention after being recalled from loans.

Hibs wing-back Nicky Cadden is set to play with a protective mask after breaking his nose against Motherwell.

Jordan Obita and Nathan Moriah-Welsh return from suspension but captain Joe Newell (groin), Elie Youan (foot) and Marvin Ekpiteta (thigh) are still out.

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New Ross County signing Zac Ashworth wanted to step out of his comfort zone with a move to Dingwall.

Defender Ashworth joined Don Cowie's side from Blackpool on loan until the end of the season and made his first appearance off the bench in last weekend's 3-2 Scottish Cup defeat to Livingston.

"I could have been comfortable and stayed in England but I wanted to do something different, experience something different and play some good games," the 22-year-old said.

"Personally I want to play as many games as I can, stay fit, stay healthy and start enjoying my football again.

"Collectively we want to win as many games as we can and not only stay in the league but push up the league as well."

Manager Don Cowie wants his side to bounce back from their cup exit but is braced for "a really tough game" at home to Hibs on Saturday.

"When a team's in form and their confidence is high, they've got a lot of threats," he said.

"Martin Boyle has really ignited his season in the last six to eight weeks, scoring goals and performing like we all know he's capable of doing.

"But despite the frustration and disappointment from Saturday against Livingston in the cup, we were in really good form in the league and it's one that we must be ready for and try and maintain that form."

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Ross County defender Ricki Lamie has joined Championship side Hamilton on loan until the end of the season.

Lamie, 31, joined the Staggies in the summer on a two-year deal but hasn't featured since making three League Cup appearances in July.

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• Hibs are unbeaten in seven league games, winning five (D2), as many as their previous 26 beforehand (W5 D9 L12). Hibs last went longer without losing in the Scottish Premiership in September 2021 (nine games under Jack Ross).

• Ross County have only won one of their past seven league games against Hibs (D4 L2), a 2-1 victory at home in May 2024.

• After their 3-1 win in December, Hibs could pick up back-to-back Scottish Premiership victories over Ross County for the first time since October 2022, and first time within a single season since 2017-18.

• Ross County have lost three of their past four home league matches (D1), as many as their previous 16 beforehand (W7 D6 L3).

• Hibs forward Martin Boyle has scored a brace in both of his past two league games, while he last scored in three successive Scottish Premiership appearances in August 2021 (run of four).

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Manager Don Cowie says Ross County will "not tolerate" the "disrespectful" behaviour of some of their fans during a minute's silence on Saturday.

Jeering and several flares were set off in the Jail End stand in Dingwall before the side's Scottish Cup defeat at home to Livingston.

The silence was held in tribute to Scotland great Denis Law and also Gordon Seaton, who played for County in the 1970s and 1980s.

The Highland club said they are appalled by the behaviour of the small section of the support, with the police now investigating the incident.

"It's not something you want to see in football anywhere, never mind your own ground," County boss Cowie said.

"We don't tolerate that. It's disrespectful. I'm sure the club will deal with it in the appropriate manner."

Cowie expressed his disappointment at his team's cup exit and called on his players to respond when they welcome Hibernian at the weekend.

The County boss has strengthened his squad this month with the additions of Kieran Phillips, Nohan Kenneh, Zac Ashworth and Jonathan Tomkinson.

Cowie revealed it is "a bit quiet just now" in relation to further incomings, but "there are two players" who are in talks to leave the club.

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Manager Don Cowie has been speaking to the media prior to Ross County's Premiership match at home to Hibs on Saturday.

Here are the key lines:

• On the behaviour of a small section of County fans during a minute's silence for Scotland great Denis Law and ex-County player Gordon Seaton last Saturday, Cowie says "it's disrespectful" and "we don't tolerate that".

• He says County "were really disappointed" with the weekend Scottish Cup exit at home to Livingston, a game the manager feels his side "should be taking care of".

• Cowie says "focus now has to turn" to the visit of Hibs this weekend.

• He feels Saturday's match "will be difficult" but says it's "one we must believe" they can win.

• On transfer incomings, Cowie - who has recalled Dylan Smith from his Arbroath loan spell - says "it's a bit quiet just now" but reveals "there are two players" in talks to leave the club.

Ross Morren
Fan writer

Ross County are in the midst of a Scottish Cup curse.

The 3-2 defeat after extra time against Livingston on Saturday was the sixth successive time the Staggies have fallen at their first hurdle in the competition.

Fans have to cast their minds back to January 2019 for the last Scottish Cup win. A double from Brian Graham earned County, who were a Championship side at the time, a 2-1 victory at Motherwell in the fourth round.

To make matters worse, the Staggies have been knocked out by Championship sides in five of the past six seasons in the competition.

It's a run of form that has left fans scratching their heads. Several managers and players have come and gone during that time, but the curse continues to linger.

Don Cowie spoke about his desire to get the club to the latter stages of the competition for the first time in years. That was emphasised when the County boss named as close to a full-strength team as he could, but it wasn't to be.

The Staggies will have to try to use Saturday's disappointment as motivation for the remainder of the Premiership campaign and now allow their performance levels to drop to that standard again.

With no distractions between now and the end of the season, Cowie's side will be fully focused on climbing the table and securing their Premiership status.

Ross Morren can be found at The County Corner, external

We asked for your thoughts after Ross County went out of the Scottish Cup with a 3-2 defeat by Livingston.

Here's what some of you said:

Jamie: Livi deserved their win, too many players just miles off it. How Don Cowie can't see this squad needs a bit of pace and width to mix things up is beyond me.

Rick: Didn't deserve to win, only started playing when we went behind for each goal. As for the final goal the entire defence and goalkeeper were just ball watching, and finally what on earth was Akil Wright doing for that handball? I couldn't believe my eyes!

John: That's the worst performance I've seen by County. They allowed Livingston to bully them and failed to attempt to control the game. Connor Randall not starting was a mistake for me. Apart from his tap in, Jordan White had very little, if any, influence.