St Johnstone vs Ross County: The Preview

By Ramsay Banks

Ross County have a huge task on their hands on Saturday as they travel to Perth to take on table-topping St. Johnstone.

The Saints have yet to lose in the league this season, most recently playing out a 0-0 draw at home to Ayr United.

To go along with their first-place status, Simo Valakari’s side has both scored the most and conceded the fewest goals in the Championship.

The kick-off is at 3 pm at McDiarmid Park.

Ross County

The Staggies finally got the ball rolling last weekend, picking up their first win of the season in a convincing 2-0 win over Raith Rovers.

Debutant Miller Thomson broke the deadlock deep into the second half, before Ronan Hale sealed the deal in injury time.

There was a sense of relief in Dingwall as County finally notched a first win since their return to Championship football.

Highlights:

Despite still sitting 9th in the table, ahead of only Airdrieonians, County will hope to use the momentum they now have to make a real push up the table in the early winter run-in.

Tony Docherty’s men are now only five points behind Arbroath in the final playoff spot, but sixteen points behind Saturday’s opponents in the only automatic promotion place.

Player to watch: Ryan Duncan

Having been thrust straight into the starting lineup after his loan move from Aberdeen was confirmed, Duncan wasted no time in making his mark against Raith Rovers.

A really good performance from the midfielder, who featured comfortably in both centre-midfield and at left wing-back, helped the Staggies get into the driving seat and ensured they were on their way to victory.

Now that County are facing the toughest possible task in the Championship this season - playing St. Johnstone away from home - Duncan will look to further establish himself as a fan favourite.

St. Johnstone

St. Johnstone have deservedly positioned themselves top of the pile following the first round of Championship fixtures.

Only dropping points on two occasions thus far, Valakari’s men are very much the team to beat as the league table starts to take shape.

The Saints boss is a huge reason for their good fortune, and was awarded the Scottish Championship manager of the month award for September.

Last time the two sides met was in Dingwall on the second week of the season, and it was not a match for the purist.

Uche Ikpeazu eventually bagged the winner for St. Johnstone to decide what was a very scrappy game of football.

Preparing for the return fixture, Ross County will be looking to get their revenge on hostile turf.

Player to watch: Josh McPake

St. Johnstone’s excellent start to the season is in large part thanks to Josh McPake’s red-hot form.

With nine games played, he has catapulted himself to the top of the league’s scoring chart with seven goals to his name already.

He was recently rewarded for this form, being named player of the month alongside his manager.

The attacker is going to be hugely important to not only the outcome of Saturday’s clash, but St. Johnstone’s season as a whole.

For County, keeping McPake quiet is a task that will go a long way to what would be a hugely significant result

Familiar faces

Reghan Tumilty got his start in professional football at Ross County and now prepares to face his former side in a St. Johnstone kit.

Nicky Clark made the switch from Perth to Dingwall in the summer and will hope to be central to a positive result for the Staggies.

Team news

Noah Chilvers, Andrew Macleod and Sean Mackie remain out.

Josh Reid has made a return to training.

Connor Randall, Ross Laidlaw, Kieran Phillips, and Ross Docherty are doubts.

George Robesten has joined Strathspey Thistle on a loan deal until January.

Miller Thomson is unavailable due to international duty.

Refereeing team

Referee: David Dickinson

AR1: Douglas Ross

AR2: James McCluskey

Stadium information - https://www.perthstjohnstonefc.co.uk/matchday-information/
Ticket information - https://www.rosscountyfootballclub.co.uk/news-items/st-johnstone-a-ticket-information