First team
Match Preview - Partick Thistle (H)
19/01/2024
Written by Peter Mackay
The winter break is finally over and Ross County’s long-anticipated return to action is upon us. It’s not quite time for league action yet though, as we are set to host Partick Thistle in the Scottish Cup. Kris Doolan’s side travel to the snowy north for the 3:00 PM kick-off in Dingwall.
Partick Thistle
The Glasgow side has had a positive season to date, currently situated in third spot in the Championship table. Kris Doolan’s side have amassed 36 points so far, picking up a healthy ten wins along the way in doing so.
Thistle have netted 42 goals this season, showing they are incredibly prolific at the top end of the park. However, they have conceded on 33 occasions, showing a slight vulnerability at the back.
Using a 4-2-3-1 formation, the Jags have had much success and are currently unbeaten in their last three matches, which includes a 4-0 demolition of Arbroath.
After coming ever so close to promotion last season, Partick looks nailed on to finish in the playoff positions this time round again. And of course, there is no doubt that they will be out for big revenge on the Staggies.
Player to Watch
A former Staggie has been at the forefront of all the success Partick Thistle has had in recent years. Brian Graham, who is a League Cup and Championship winner with the Staggies, has led the line incredibly for the Jags in recent years. Playing as what could be described as an old-fashioned number nine, Graham is the target man for Doolan’s side, with most attacking play being spearheaded through the former Hibs and Dundee United forward.
Graham has again this season been in good form. He has banged in ten goals this season, alongside notching one assist. He scored in the first leg of the playoff last time the sides met, so its safe to assume Graham will be looking to inflict more of the same.
Ross County
The Staggies have been out of action for over two weeks now, with the winter break providing an opportunity for Derek Adams to get down to work with his players on the training ground.
There have been some changes within the squad as Adams looks to make use of this window. Ben Paton and Ben Purrington have left the club, whilst Adam Mackinnon and Kyle Turner have departed on loan deals until the end of the season.
Ross County fans will be hoping they get to welcome the new additions to the squad on Saturday. Those coming in are all on loan deals, being goalkeeper George Wickens (Fulham) left-back Cameron Borthwick-Jackson (WKS Slask Wroclaw), Brandon Khela (Birmingham) and Eli King (Cardiff), who are both midfielders.
This match against Partick Thistle will be far from straightforward for us, however, it does provide a platform to get some fresh blood integrated into the XI, including those players who have struggled for fitness this season.
Derek Adams and his players will be incredibly eager to put their last outing right and get back to winning ways, as well as hoping to build some momentum ahead of the return of Premiership action.
Derek Adams' Comments - By Roy Templeton
Thistle will be desperate to exact revenge after they just lost out on penalties to County in last season's pulsating play-off double header and you have a tie to get the juices flowing - particularly in front of an expected big crowd.
"Thistle are bringing a large support north which should make for a really good atmosphere and I'd expect the game to be played at a fast pace. They'll be out for revenge - we understand that - but we'll on our guard for that, " he said.
Getting away from league action, says Adams, is always attractive for both players and fans. And he's keen to repeat the good Cup form that took County to the Cup Final in 2009 when he was again in the dugout.
"The Scottish Cup is really important to the club and we'd love to get a good Cup run. It's a competition we've done really well in before when we were in the Championship and a Cup run always helps your season - both for the finances, but also for the supporters who see it as something different from the league campaign.
"Playing at home is an advantage for us but they'll be bringing that big support. We won't have played for a few weeks, but they have, so we'll have to start the game off really well."
Both teams have changed personnel since last season, with Adams arriving from Morecambe for his third stint as manager and several new players arriving during the transfer window.
And if anyone has a horse called Silver around Dingwall, they should perhaps look out for the County boss calling round as he's quickly becoming known as The Loan Arranger.
In the last fortnight alone he's brought in four players - Former Manchester United left-back Cameron Borthwick-Jackson from WKS Slask Wroclaw, England youth goalkeeper George Wickens from Fulham and midfielders Eli King from Cardiff City and Brandon Khela from Birmingham City. Meanwhile Ben Purrington has left to join Exeter for an undisclosed fee while Adam Mackinnon and Kyle Turner have gone on loan to Arbroath and Raith Rovers respectively.
Adams expects another few arrivals in the days ahead with seven loans permitted and he expects all that are signed before Saturday to form part of his 20-man squad for Saturday.
"We've done really well so far in the transfer window - I like to freshen things up and that will continue!"
Player to Watch
Simon Murray was electric in the last meeting between these sides. The striker has been a mainstay in the XI this season, and his directness and pace has caused defences many issues. The power of the former Hibernian man could be the key for the Staggies in this match, especially with many thinking this match will be a closely contested tie.
Murray has netted on four occasions this season as well as grabbing one assist. However, his overall play makes him stand out, but most importantly his work rate at the top end of the park is unmatched.
If the players around Simon can create some opportunities for him, the County support will be confident in his abilities to bolster the Staggies.
Murray can turn matches in a flash, just as he did in the play-off – and despite murmurs of transfer rumours surrounding the striker's name, he is a player who will always be fully committed to the cause.
Previous Encounters
Our overall record against Partick Thistle is incredibly even, with both teams having picked up 21 wins each against each other.
In recent years matches have been closely contested. Thistle knocked us out of the league cup in 2019, but in the season before that County went unbeaten against the Glasgow side on our way to lifting the championship title. That unbeaten run included a hectic 4-2 victory at Firhill.
In the 2017/18 season, one of the most memorable matches in a disappointing season was a 4-0 home victory over Thistle in which Alex Schalk netted three times, as well as Ross Draper scoring.
Memorable Match
Familiar Faces
As aforementioned, cup winner Brian Graham is currently playing for the Jags. Kyle Turner moved in the other direction in the summer.
Some standout names to have played for both sides are Scott Fox, Scott Boyd, Raffaele De Vita and Blair Spittal.
Team News
Ross Callachan is out. This match might come too soon for Dylan Smith and Scott Allardice.
Ticket Information
Ross County FC vs Partick Thistle - MyProVenue™ (tickets.com)
