Ross County

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Ross County manager Don Cowie admits Saturday's League Cup visit of Championship Raith Rovers "will bring back emotions", but says they are fully focused on the here and now.

County go into their first home game of the season looking to build on last Saturday's Group H win at Stranraer.

The last time Cowie's side faced the Kirkcaldy side, they secured their top-flight status with a comfortable win in the Premiership play-off final, but he is braced for a tough encounter this time around.

"It is a good test really early on in the season" Cowie said. "A really good team, they have managed to add to the squad and kept the bulk of last season.

"We realise it is going to be a challenge, but it is one we believe we can take care of, but we will need to play well for that to happen.

"Raith are a really good football team, we saw that last season, so we need to be prepared and ready for that.

"We want to make the most of the League Cup. We want to get to the latter stages of it, and it is these sort of games you need to turn up and do well in."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Akil Wright says he is relishing the chance to step out of his "comfort zone" and shine for Ross County.

Earlier this month, Wright, 28, who can play in defence or midfield, signed a three-year deal with County after leaving Stockport for an undisclosed fee.

Having spent all of his career in the English lower leagues until now, Wright is embracing a new experience.

"The Scottish Premiership, it is a big league," he said. "Playing against some of the big teams, it is competitive. I'm in my prime now and I want to try and experience something different.

"I know James Brown quite well from the Stockport days, I played against Michee Efete quite a few times as well, but I spoke to James prior to coming to see what it was like and how he is enjoying it and his response made it easier for me.

"Obviously the distance was probably the only negative at the time, but since I have been here I have enjoyed it and I am settled in now and raring to go."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Manager Don Cowie hopes the existing strikers at Ross County can fill the void left by "figurehead" Simon Murray.

Murray, who scored 23 times for County last term, last week left to join Dundee.

County then began their season with a 3-1 League Cup win at Stranraer, with Jordan White netting a double and fellow striker Eamonn Brophy also on target.

"Simon was a fantastic player for us, especially in the last three months when I came into this role," said Cowie.

"He was the figurehead for us in terms of the goals he got, but football moves on you have to adapt to that.

"There is a real opportunity for what is here already. Jordan and Eamonn especially have come back after the summer flying, they look really sharp and it was great for them to get on the scoresheet on Saturday.

"We have also got Ronan Hale, who has come in to the club, that I am really excited about, and Alex Samuel, who has come back form his loan spell.

"So we have competition there, but there is a real opening for all of them to go and say ‘I want to be the number one striker'."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Ross County manager Don Cowie says playing Rangers in the league at Hampden rather than Ibrox will be "something fresh" and an "exciting challenge" for his players.

The sides meet at the national stadium on 24 August after Rangers agreed a relocation up to early September due to delayed construction work at their own ground.

"It will be different, it will be an exciting challenge for the group," said Cowie.

"Not many have probably played at Hampden. Even myself, who had a long career, except for playing for Scotland, it was somewhere I never played in a league or cup match so it will be something fresh for them.

"In terms of the circumstances which lead us to Hampden, it is what it is. We just deal with that and get on with it."

Having needed a play-off victory over Raith Rovers to preserve County's Premiership status last season, Cowie hopes to avoid a similar struggle in the new campaign and cited the example of over-achievers Dundee, St Mirren and Kilmarnock, who all finished in the top six.

"We proved three years ago when we get it right you can get into that top six," he added.

"Kilmarnock, St Mirren and Dundee had excellent seasons last year and proved what you can do when you can find that consistency. That is something we need to strive for.

"Always it has to be first and foremost to stay in the league, we realise the challenge of being in the Scottish Premiership and how competitive it is going to be this year.

"But at the same time you have got to be ambitious and it is about starting well and taking it on from there."

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.

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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.