Match Preview - Dundee (H)

Ross County are back on home soil on Saturday for matchday 17, ready to host Dundee following their return to the Premiership. It’s a 3:00 PMkick-off in Dingwall in what is set to be an entertaining clash between two clubs who are very close in the table.

Dundee

After what was a highly successful Championship-winning campaign last season, Dundee have taken the rise to the Premiership in their stride so far this season.

The Dark Blues have seamlessly transitioned to the top-flight under new manager Tony Docherty. They currently sit in seventh place with 18 points to their name – just one more point than amassed by the Staggies.

The Dee have picked up four victories this campaign including an impressive 1-0 win over Heart of Midlothian, as well as defeating high-flying St Mirren 4-0. Docherty’s side have also earned a further six points from draws, in all of which Dundee have shown plenty of strengths. They have shown intelligence in front of goal, scoring 19 goals in the Premiership this season. There are also positives at the other end of the park as the Tayside club have six clean sheets to their name this campaign.

Player to Watch – Luke McCowan

Some Staggies supporters will remember McCowan all too well from Dundee’s last stint in the topflight. The tricky winger netted twice against Ross County in December 2021, as well as causing the defence problems in the other fixtures between the sides during that campaign.

The former Ayr United man has probably had a slower start to the season than he would have hoped for, however with two goals and two assists to his name so far this season, you can see why new gaffer Tony Docherty has made him a regular pick. McCowan does have the quality that can unpick defensive lines, so for that reason will be one to keep an eye on.

Ross County

Derek Adams’ Staggies lost for the first time since the gaffers returned to the club down in Paisley. It was a match where the Staggies never really got going.

Derek was keen to reiterate the message that he wants his teams to go and score goals, and from what we have seen so far we can do that.

There is still a huge amount of belief in this squad who feel they should be higher in the table, especially after recent results with withs over St Mirren and Motherwell.

Player to watch – Yan Dhanda

Following on from a wonderful goal against Motherwell, Yan Dhanda will take it upon himself to do all he can to ensure the Staggies aren’t goalless again this weekend.

The former Swansea man has looked on a different level since Derek Adams returned. His free-flowing creativity has helped us hit the goal trail in recent weeks.

Dhanda could be the player to take the game by the scruff of the neck, and being back in front of a home crowd, it is a good opportunity for us to return to form. That includes a chance to leapfrog Dundee in the table.

Previous Encounters

The Staggies had a 100%-win record over Dundee in the 21/22 campaign with two away victories at Dens Park and a 3-2 home win. Regan Charles-Cook and Dominic Samuel scored to secure the victory for the Staggies that day after a Danny Mullen own goal put them on the back foot.

In the fixtures away from home there were goals galore for Malky Mackay’s side. County scored seven goals in the two meetings, most notably that memorable 5-0 win which included an unforgettable Joe Hungbo free kick.

The Staggies have a strong record against Dundee overall, with 19 wins out of 48 total encounters.

The previous meeting between these sides earlier in the season ended in a 0-0 draw in Dundee.

Familiar Faces

There have been numerous players to pull on both the Staggie blue and the Dark blue over the years, and with Jim McIntyre's managerial connections, there have been many in recent times.

Former County skipper Andrew Davies signed for the Dee under cup-winning manager McIntyre, whilst Martin Woods and Craig Curran also made the same move.

Sean Higgins and Colin McMenamin are some other fan favourites to have played for both clubs, as well as first-division-winning Scottish Cup hero Steven Craig.

Team News

Ross Callachan remains as the long-term absentee for the Staggies.

Will Nightingale will return after suspension