Celts Sights Set on Staggies

Celts Sights Set on Staggies
~~~~~~~~~~ Official TC Match Preview ~~~~~~~~~~

November: Luke McCowan chalked up a goal and 3 assists against Ross County when these sides last met


Global Energy Stadium, Dingwall
Saturday, 12 January 2025
15.00 GMT

Celtic head north to the Highlands this weekend, when they square off against Ross County, currently sitting in 10th place in the Scottish Premiership.​

After the 2-0 win in midweek against Dundee United, there is little time to rest before attention must be turned to this next challenge facing Brendan Rodgers’ side.

With the Hoops seeking to extend, their current 15 point advantage over their close rivals at the top of the Premiership ladder, this weekend’s match with County comes in the middle of such a heavy and hectic schedule of fixtures, with 7 games to be played over the next 22 days.


Brendan Rodgers has a personal record of 10 wins and 1 draw against Ross County

As for the hosts, for a team who have built a bit of a reputation for success at home but struggle on their travels, they have really turned this around recently.

Perhaps manager Don Cowie asked Santa to help with their ‘Away’ form, but whatever it is, since Christmas they have won three times in a row on their travels, for the first time in the club’s history!

indeed, County now come into this game on the back of a run of 4 games undefeated, including 3 wins in that run, whichhas kept them on pace with the revitalised Hearts beneath them and narrowly above the drop zone.

The trip to Dingwall has often proved a tricky one, but Celtic should have more thsn enough to overcome the hosts - and hopefully that the Bhoys can replicate the same sort of display as they did when they ran out 5-0 winners the last time these sides last met, with Luke McCowan in particularly inspired form, back in November.

By the Numbers​

• The Hoops have won each of the past 13 consecutive meetings (12 League & 1 League Cup) against the Staggies.
  
  
• Brendan Rodgers still holds a near perfect record against County (P11 W10 D1).

• Ross County appear to tire toward the end of each half, conceding a total of 21 goals combined in the last 10 minutes before halftime and before full time.

Arne Engels was once again a standout performer in the 2-0 win v United in midweek

Team News

Brendan Rodgers is expected to be without Nicholas Kuhn (thigh), after the club’s leading goal scorer this season was forced to withdraw late, ahead of the midweek clash with Dundee United, as well as the continued absence of James Forrest (foot). This leaves Yang Hyun-Jun as likely to start on the right wing for this match.​

As for the hosts, they are likely to be once again without the services of Will Nightingale, Elijah Campbell and Ryan Leak, however Alex Samuel should be back in contention.

Referee: Matthew MacDermid

The 31 year old made his Premiership debut in May 2022, and has made 39 appearances at this level since then. This will be the 2nd time that Celtic and MacDermid will have crossed paths this season, after he held the whistle for the 4-0 win v St Johnstone, last month.

Celtic Overall Record
M:6 W:5 D:1 L:0

VAR: Greg Aitken



~~~~ Head to Head ~~~~

Overall
P: 44 W: 32 D: 6 L: 5​

Last 5 Meetings
W W W W W

~~~~ 2022/23 Form ~~~~

All Comps
W W L W W ~ W W D W L

SPFL
W W L W W - W W D W L​