First team

Match Preview - Dundee (A)

16/02/2024

Don Cowie will be looking to get points on the board as he takes on his second away match of the week, this time away to Dundee.

Ross County

Don Cowie made multiple changes in his first match as Interim Manager as players such as Eamonn Brophy and Josh Reid came back into the side after a long-time out of the starting 11. Eamonn showed his value in Wednesday's game, setting up Simon Murray for the Staggies' goal on the night.

It was always going to be a tough ask, facing a Rangers side in such a rich vein of form but Don will be able to take some positives from the match in the way the squad got back into the game after an early setback and were still in the game right up until the 92nd minute of the match.

The trip to Dens Park should give Don a chance to assess where the squad are with a challenge against a Dundee side who have recruited very well this season as we look to close the gap to Tony Docherty's side and those around them.

Player to Watch

Ryan Leak captained the side for the first time on Wednesday in what was a proud moment for the Welsh youth international. His presence has been missed by the side as we look to shore up defensively and add more steel to our back-line. Leak along with goalkeeper George Wickens had a busy night, with Rangers having 43 shots and some superb blocks from Leak keeping the scoreline down.

From the Dugout with Don Cowie

They may have lost the points at Ibrox on Wednesday but a battling performance, and a terrific goal that got the Rangers fans unsettled until the hosts scored again, gave new boss Don Cowie lots to be positive about.

"The players put a lot of effort in, and it was difficult at times as Rangers were really going for it, but they stood up to it really well and I was proud of how they coped," said Cowie.

Going to Ibrox and Parkhead is always challenging - and they're not the games that will define the season - but a hard working all-round team performance meant Cowie could come away with his head held high. Being in the dugout as the gaffer for the first time #,he said, was a novelty, but a good one..

"It was different - but I enjoyed it," he said.

The return of players who've not been seen for some time including Eamonn Brophy and Josh Reid was welcomed - as was the form of loanee keeper George Wickens who made a string of top class saves throughout the game.

Failing to go into half time level was a blow he could have done without.

"It was frustrating to concede goals so late in both halves having got back into the game but we scored a really good goal .

"And yes there are things we can do better, but we'll take that away and dissect it."

But having spoken earlier in the week about wanting to get his players to be known for how hard they work he got that in spades.

"It's never easy when a new manager comes in but these things happen in football and I know I've got a group of players I believe in as I've been working with them already.

"Playing at Ibrox, however, isn't our battle and we've now got a number of games coming up that we really need to get points from.

"We know the situation we're in and we've just got to start looking up and make the most of it.

"I know we've got quality here but I want to see us work hard and get the fundamentals right. That's what will make the difference," he concluded.

Dundee

Dundee have been a side that we have faced twice already this season, albeit each time with a different manager. Our first match against the Dee this season was back in October when we played out a 0-0 draw in the city of discovery under Malky Mackay.

Derek Adams was the manager when we hosted the dark blues in December, Joe Shaughnessy netting a 97th minute winner that day to send Dundee home the happier of the two sides.

Player to Watch

Owen Beck, on loan from Liverpool, was a very welcome signing for Dundee in the January window as he made his return for the second-half of the season. The left-back made his debut for Jurgen Klopp's men in January of this year in their match against AFC Bournemouth.

Memorable Match