MATCH PREVIEW | Ross County v Hearts

After a narrow opening day defeat at Tynecastle its round two for Ross County and Heart of Midlothian this weekend in the Highlands. After a strong first half showing in Gorgie, County would be sucker-punched by goals from Alan Forrest & Barrie McKay in the second half before Jordan White pulled one back for The Staggies.

TEAM NEWS

Ross Callachan (hamstring) is added to Malky Mackay’s growing injury list with Ben Purrington (ankle), Ben Paton (knee), Connor Randall (ankle) and Alex Samuel (knee) all still out for a period of time.

The good news for County fans was the return to action of George Harmon last weekend with the left back playing 77 minutes at Kilmarnock since coming back from his hamstring injury.

THE OPPOSITION

Hearts have had a mixed bag in their opening 11 fixtures of the cinch Premiership campaign. Currently sitting with four wins, two draws and five defeats the Edinburgh side have had to contend with a tough run of fixtures in Europe alongside their competitive action in domestic competition.

A strong showing in last weekend’s 3-4 defeat to Celtic at Tynecastle will undoubtedly give the visiting team to Dingwall confidence with Lawrence Shankland netting a hat-trick. Robbie Neilson’s side who have a significant injury list of their own have scored 18 goals in their 12 matches, conceding 20 over the same period.

TALE OF THE TAPE

Fixtures between Ross County & Hearts have been keenly contested in recent times with 5 draws in the last seven Premiership meetings between the two.

Hearts found the upper hand on the opening day of this campaign, as well as last season, when County fell to the same 2-1 scoreline at Tynecastle on Boxing Day. Ross County’s last league win over Hearts was on 1^st March 2017 when Alex Schalk popped up with a second half winner in the Capital.

There were two thoroughly entertaining clashes in Dingwall between the two sides last campaign with a 2-2 draw in September which was followed by a 1-1 draw in April. The final meeting of the two sides last campaign would end in a 0-0 draw at Tynecastle.

ATTENDING THE MATCH

Ross County fans can purchase tickets for this match by CLICKING HERE

Away tickets are available directly from Heart of Midlothian FC Ticket Office.