Ross County

Ross Morren
Fan Writer

The play-offs - here we go again.

We had our fate in our own hands going into the final day of the league season. A win against Aberdeen would have guaranteed Premiership survival, but it wasn't to be.

Don Cowie’s players gave absolutely everything but came up just short. As the full-time whistle went, they slumped to the ground in devastation.

But they will need to pick themselves up and prepare to face Raith Rovers on Thursday. The Kirkcaldy side have had an excellent season where they pushed Dundee United all the way at the top of the Championship.

They showed great character to overcome Partick Thistle on penalties in the semi-final on Friday night and will provide a stern test for the Staggies.

County will hope their experience from the play-offs last season gives them an advantage going into the two legs.

The squad Cowie has at his disposal and the options available are far stronger compared to the injury-ravaged pool Malky Mackay had at this stage last season.

If players such as Simon Murray and Yan Dhanda can replicate the form they’ve shown in recent weeks, they should cause Rovers problems.

On Thursday night we'll be keen to avoid a repeat of the first-leg performance from last season where County found themselves on the wrong end of a 2-0 scoreline against Partick Thistle and down to 10 men in the first 45 minutes.

If we can get out of Kirkcaldy with a positive result, the players should be confident they can get the job done in the second leg in Dingwall.

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Don Cowie insists Ross County are up to the challenge of the Scottish Premiership play-off final against Raith Rovers.

The Dingwall side could only muster a 2-2 draw with Aberdeen on the final day, leaving them 11th after St Johnstone won at Motherwell.

With Championship runners-up Rovers prevailing in a tense semi-final with Partick Thistle, Cowie expects a tough test from Ian Murray's men.

“It’s a team that is going to be really confident,” the interim manager told club media.

“They finished second in the league and pushed Dundee United all the way.

“I watched the game on Friday night. It’s going to be a big crowd, a big atmosphere, which I’m sure they will looking to take advantage of. We need to be ready for that.

“I have still got so much belief in this group of players. We know we are going to have to perform really well to get through the two legs.

“It’s going to be a challenge but it’s one I certainly feel we are up to. The feelings that we have from last year, from the group that was here, we can draw on that and take it into the games.”

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Ross County's draw against Aberdeen wasn't enough to avoid the Premiership play-off final against Raith Rovers, but Simon Murray scored his 21st goal of the season in superb style.

We asked for your thoughts after Ross County were condemned to the relegation play-off for the second year running.

Here's what you said:

Iain: At any other time in the season, a draw at home v Aberdeen is a decent result. Just gutted we couldn't grab the winner today. After watching Raith in the play-off, I'm far more confident of winning than I was last year!

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• Ross County have scored in their last four games in the Scottish Premiership, their longest scoring streak this season.

• Aberdeen have won 13 points from losing positions in the top flight this season, only Motherwell (19) and Rangers (18) have recovered more.

• Simon Murray has scored 14 goals league this season (one in this game), more than any other Ross County.

• Junior Hoilett has contributed to goals in his last three games in the Scottish Premiership (two goals, five assists).

• Ross County attempted the last six shots in this game as Aberdeen last shot was taken by Jack MacKenzie in the 59th minute.

• Jamie McGrath of Aberdeen attempted six tackles in this game, more than any other player on either team (ahead of Ross County's James Brown - four tackles).

Watch highlights as Ross County draw with Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership.

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Ross County interim manager Don Cowie: "Congratulations to Craig [Levein] and St Johnstone. They did the job that they needed to do.

"Unfortunately, we came up short in terms of us getting the victory. But, again, I'm extremely proud of the group. They kept fighting right until the end.

"We've got to be ready for two very important [Premiership play-off final] games. Raith [Rovers] are a very good team, they're going to be feeling good about themselves.

"We're going to have to be at our best. We know what it takes but it's going to be a real challenge."

Were you at Ross County's 2-2 draw with Aberdeen or following the match from home? Either way, we want your views on the game – have your say here.

The season has been nothing but eventful for County.

They started with Malky Mackay in charge after he oversaw survival via the play-offs last season. By mid-November, he had gone and in came Derek Adams for a third spell in charge.

However, it was an unhappy reunion. Adams criticised the quality of the Premiership and before too long followed Mackay out the exit door via resignation in February.

Don Cowie, whose playing career was bookended by spells at County, was seemingly the last man standing and the interim manager certainly improved results, just not well enough to seal safety via league position. Two tense meetings with Raith Rovers in the Scottish Premiership play-off final await.

For Aberdeen, incoming manager Jimmy Thelin will arrive from Elfsborg next month and the Swede, like all Premiership managers, faces a big summer of recruitment to improve the club's fortunes.

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Ross County winger Josh Sims says he wants to focus on securing Premiership survival with the Dingwall side before finishing talks on a new contract to stay in the Highlands. (Press and Journal, external)

Read the rest of today's Scottish gossip here.

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Ross County boss Don Cowie has no fresh injuries. Max Sheaf (muscle), Dylan Smith (ankle) and Scott Allardice (knee) remain out while Ross Callachan is yet to make his comeback following a long-term knee injury.

Aberdeen’s squad is in good shape.