Ross County

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Ross County manager Don Cowie has been speaking before the League Cup visit of Raith Rovers this weekend.

Here are the key points:

• On the "big" importance of a cup run, he says it is "something we have not done enough in recent years".

• Having their first home game of the season against Raith "will bring back emotions" of last season's play-off final win over the Kirkcaldy side.

• With Simon Murray sold to Dundee, Cowie was pleased to see Jordan White and Eamonn Brophy score in the weekend win at Stranraer and "there is a real opening" for them to stake a claim to be the first-choice striker.

• After Dundee, St Mirren and Kilmarnock all made the top six last season, Cowie says it "proved what yo can do when you can find that consistency and that is something we need to strive for".

• County are "a bit thin on numbers" and "always looking" to add further signings.

• On playing Rangers at Hampden, rather than Ibrox, in the early stages of the Premiership season, Cowie says it will be "something fresh" for his players, many of whom won’t have played at the national stadium.

• Team news – Connor Randall returns to the squad following the birth of his daughter.

Simon Murray says returning to Dundee eased "family difficulties" and the 32-year-old striker praised "second to none" Ross County manager Don Cowie for allowing the transfer. (The Courier), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

We asked for your views on what would be a successful season for Ross County, here’s what some of you had to say:

Francisco: As we say in my native Italy, it is not about the results but playing with the spirit of the bull. If we have a good team spirit then it will be a good season.

Kyle: Our squad on paper is still stronger than St Johnstone, who I feel are destined for the drop, I would say ninth is realistic this season. Play attacking football and fix our away form.

Graham: If the County players give 100% and fight hard in each game the Staggies should be fine and finish the season in a good position. Top-six would be excellent, above the play-off position would be progress. In Don we trust.

Ronny: Given we have lost Yan Dhanda, Jack Baldwin, Josh Sims and without doubt most noticeably Simon Murray, our objective has to be survival first and foremost. At this point, anything over and above that would be an outstanding effort.

Jim: Improvement away from home is vital. As in previous seasons, incoming players need to gel quickly to avoid being entrenched in another slog at the bottom, it could be daunting without Murray's goals of last season. We need to find a way to impose ourselves on teams around us. Best of the bottom six is ambitious and achievable.

Derek: Defence needs to be strengthened, as too many games were lost last season as a result of lack of ability, fitness and concentration specifically at the latter part of the game.

Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

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With last season’s play-off hero Simon Murray sold to Dundee, the eyes of Dingwall will be on Ronan Hale after the 25-year-old striker’s move from Cliftonville.

The Belfast-born former Republic of Ireland Under-21 cap has spent the whole of his career on either side of the Irish border since coming through Birmingham City’s youth ranks.

However, newly confirmed permanent County manager Don Cowie obviously believes someone who scored 22 goals in 31 appearances, including a double in their Irish Cup final win over Linfield, and who helped Cliftonville finish third in Northern Ireland’s Premiership, can also do damage in Scotland’s top flight.

Starting at Stranraer could have him feeling close to home at least.

• Read Clive's full piece here

Ross County fans, what do you think would constitute success under Don Cowie in the coming season?

Is staying up the primary objective, or would you set your sights higher?

Have your say here, external.

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Josh Sims has "taken the decision to move onto new challenges" after his Ross County contract expired, the Dingwall club have announced.

The 27-year-old winger signed for County in February 2022 after being released by Southampton, and went on to make 64 appearances for the club, scoring five goals.

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Alex Samuel and Jordan White both scored doubles as Ross County swept to a 6-0 friendly win at nearby Clachnacuddin.

Eamonn Brophy and Andrew MacLeod were also on target against the Highland League opponents.

McLeod, 19, completed the scoring with a late volley, wrapping up a comfortable night for Don Cowie's side.

The teenager was also involved as White curled one in from the edge of the penalty area, while the big striker later powered in a header.

Brophy opened the scoring on 15 minutes with an opportunist finish as Samuel struck twice before the interval.

Last season's top scorer, Simon Murray, linked with Dundee and Hibs, was again absent, having missed Saturday's victory at Brora Rangers.

Image source, Getty Images

Ross County have signed a striker with an "exceptional goalscoring record" in Ronan Hale, says manager Don Cowie.

The 25-year-old has penned a three-year deal with the Highlanders after leaving Cliftonville for an undisclosed fee.

Hale, a former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international, has scored 95 goals in 223 career matches, 50 of which came in 80 games for his previous club.

The forward has also had spells at Larne, Derry City, Crusaders and St Patrick's Athletic.

"Ronan has an exceptional goalscoring record in Ireland and had multiple clubs interested in him," County boss Cowie said.

"We are delighted that he has chosen to join Ross County and look forward to his time in the Highlands."

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Don Cowie has been speaking to the media as Ross County prepare for their first competitive game of the 2024-25 season.

County travel to take on Stranraer on Saturday in their first League Cup group game.

Here are the manager's key points:

• He says the club are still looking to add a few more players but he's delighted with those already in the building.

• Cowie is disappointed to lose Jack Baldwin, saying he was a great professional in the dressing room but it's not all about the football

• He adds that he knows it was important for Baldwin to move back to England with his family and the club wish him nothing but the best.

• Cowie confirms teams are interested in Simon Murray but at the moment the striker is still a County player, until that changes there's not much more to add.

• Looking ahead to Stranraer, Cowie says it's important to get out of the group and get into the next round of the cup.

• He insists they won't take the games lightly, they're in a really tough group but that puts them in good stead for league campaign.

• On the league, the manager adds that it's going to be an "ultra competitive" season but his side will be ready to face that challenge.

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Ross County have confirmed captain Jack Baldwin has left to join Northampton Town for an undisclosed fee.

The centre-back joined the Highland side in 2021, going on to make 102 appearances for the club, 38 of which came last term.

In a statement, County confirm Baldwin "made clear his desire to move closer to family in England".

They go on to thank the defender "for his service to the club".

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Ross County will let Simon Murray leave Dingwall – with the striker attracting interest from Hibs and Dundee – once they complete the signing of 25-year-old Irish striker Ronan Hale from Cliftonville (The Press & Journal, external)

Read the rest of today's Scottish football gossip here.

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The "versatility" of Akil Wright makes him a "great fit" for Ross County, says manager Don Cowie.

The Highlanders have confirmed the signing of the 28-year-old on a three-year deal after leaving Stockport County for an undisclosed fee.

Wright, who has also had spells at York City, Wrexham, Barrow and AFC Flyde, is a versatile player who can play at right-back and in midfield.

"We are absolutely delighted to finalise the signing of Akil," Cowie said.

"We identified him at the end of the season as a player who we believe is a great fit for our football.

"Akil has a wealth of experience in English football, predominantly playing in defence but has the versatility to also play in midfield."

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Ross County came from behind to beat Brora Rangers 2-1 in a pre-season friendly at Dudgeon Park.

The Highland League side went ahead early on through James Wallace before an unnamed trialist scored Don Cowie's side's equaliser prior to the interval.

Former Kilmarnock and St Mirren man Eamonn Brophy ran through to put the Staggies in front just after the hour mark.

The top-flight side have one more pre-season friendly on Tuesday 9 July against Clachnacuddin FC before their 500-mile round trip for the first game of the League Cup group stage against Stranraer.

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Ross County's home match against Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership next month has been moved to a later kick-off time due to its selection for TV coverage.

Don Cowie's County welcome Jimmy Thelin's Dons to Dingwall on Saturday, 31 August but the game will now take place at 17:45 BST with Premier Sports opting to televise the encounter.

Aberdeen were undefeated in the five meetings between the sides last season, winning the first four and drawing the last meeting 2-2 in May.

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Charlie Telfer "will excite supporters" after the midfielder signed a one-year deal with Ross County, according to manager Don Cowie.

The 29-year-old left Airdrieonians at the end of last season after a hugely impressive Championship campaign, and now steps up to the Premiership with the Staggies.

"Charlie joins us on the back of an impressive season with Airdrieonians, gaining multiple accolades in the process," Cowie said.

"He is a creative midfielder who will excite supporters with the way he plays.

"He also has vast experience in Scottish football adding to the experience we already have in the dressing room."

County fans, we asked for your thoughts after Don Cowie was given the manager's job on a permanent basis.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Graham: Brilliant, just the right man to steer the ship at County. He can get the best out of the players and they will leave everything they have on the pitch for him. Delighted.

Fernando: Cowie had a reputation as a no-nonsense midfield enforcer in the mould of Roy Keane. I’m sure he’ll set his teams up in the same way as his playing style and will make us a lot tougher to beat.

Mohammed: Don’s done a great job since taking over from the Derek Adams debacle.

Tarquin: Cowie is the man this club needs. He knows what the club needs to move forward.

Don: Don was born for this role. He can lead us to great things. From a youth player to a manager. He knows the club inside out.

Dougal: Don will have our boys playing with that Highland grit and determination that will propel us up the league.

It's official. Don Cowie has been confirmed as Ross County boss, signing a one-year rolling contract.

The 41-year-old former County midfielder, who took interim charge in February and went on to secure the club's top-flight status, says it is an "honour" to be made permanent boss.

How are you feeling about Cowie's appointment? Is he the right man to drive the club forward?

Give us your thoughts here., external