First team
Match Preview - Hearts (A)
27/09/2024
Don Cowie’s Staggies are back on the road again after a six-goal thriller in Dingwall versus St Johnstone. This time around, Tynecastle is the venue as Ross County takes on 12th placed and managerless Heart of Midlothian in the William Hill Premiership. Kick-off on Saturday is at 3:00 PM.
Ross County
The Staggies are looking to make it three unbeaten on the bounce after a recent upturn in performances and form.
Having defeated Dundee and clawed back a point against St Johnstone, there is a real belief and feel-good factor surrounding the team at the moment, and hopefully that can continue when we face win-less Hearts.
Of course, no matter what kind of form the home team are in, Tynecastle is a difficult venue to go to.
The gaffer seems to have found a more settled XI for the time being, and that is reaping its rewards.
The character shown to score two late goals last weekend was remarkable, and although the celebrations for Akil Wrights's perfect header were great, I’m sure Don and his team will have been working hard to ensure we’re in those losing positions less often.
We currently sit in eighth place in the table.
Player to Watch
Ronan Hale has excited Ross County fans to no end since he arrived in the Highlands from Cliftonville.
He hit the ground running, grabbing three goals in two matches in the league cup group stages.
He also smashed home a last-minute equaliser versus Dundee United in our second match of the season to rescue a point, already making him a fan favourite.
Ronan added another strike to his tally for the season last weekend as he finished wonderfully through the legs of the St Johnstone defender to open the scoring in a 3-3 draw.
The quick striker seems to have a bit of freedom under the guidance of Don Cowie, who has made him a regular starter.
With his front-footed approach and dynamism, Hale appears to have all the qualities needed to become a key player for Ross County.
The soon-to-be Northern Ireland international is averaging over 1.6 shots on target per 90 minutes, making him a sure favourite to be the one who scores goals for the club this season.
Heart of Midlothian
Very surprisingly, the season so far has been a major struggle for last season's third-place side Hearts.
Without a win so far this season, last weekend the club announced the sacking of Steven Naismith as manager.
Former Dundee United manager and current Hearts B team manager Liam Fox will be in charge of affairs for Ross County’s trip south to face the maroon side.
The Gorgie club have picked up just one point the season – an opening day draw with Rangers.
Since then, they have lost every match leaving them pointless in eight.
Undoubtedly, Hearts have an abundance of quality throughout their squad. They will be hoping this woeful start to proceeding is just a mishap, and that interim boss Liam Fox can get the back playing the way they did last season.
Player to Watch
Despite not playing as much football as he should have this season, there was only ever one player who was going to be picked for this segment.
Former Ross County number ten Yan Dhanda was a wonderful servant to the Staggies but has yet to be rewarded with a regular starting place in the Heart of Midlothian starting team so far.
The creative midfielder has bags of quality and the ability to unlock defences, but for whatever reason hasn’t been fancied so far by now departed manager Naismith.
A change of manager will perhaps bring changes to the lineup meaning Dhanda could well be in the frame for a start against his old side, County.
In the limited minutes Yan has played, he has averaged over 76% pass success rate, as well as over 28 completed passes per 90.
If Hearts are to bounce back from their bad form, I would imagine that Yan Dhanda will have a part to play in that.
Dhanda won South Asian Footballer of the Year this week. He claimed a joint award with Leicester City player Hamza Choudhury.
Previous Encounters
Last time out, County picked up a magnificent home victory over Hearts during Don’s interim period.
Simon Murray netted twice in the match to pick up a huge three points for County.
Under Derek Adams, we claimed a point in a 2-2 draw. Yan Dhanda scored a world-class free kick after Josh Sims opened the scoring.
Before that win last season, you have to go back to 2013 to find the last time we defeated Hearts.
Familiar Faces
Current County midfielder and captain Connor Randall played for Hearts on loan from Liverpool before arriving in Dingwall.
Ross County legend Liam Boyce is currently a Hearts player and could face up against his old side on Saturday.
Yan Dhanda and Blair Spittal are also signed with Hearts.
Harry Paton, Gary Glen and Ruben Palazuelos also played in Maroon as well as Staggie blue.
Team News
Geroge Harmon will be out for a prolonged period of time following an ankle injury sustained versus Dundee.
Josh Reid also misses out this week but could return soon.
Ricki Lamie is edging closer to a return to action and is back on the grass.
Max Sheaf remains out.
Will Nightingale remains a doubt.
Refereeing Team
Referee: Iain Snedden
AR1: David Roome
AR2: Paul McAvinue
VAR: Steven Kirkland
AVAR: John McCrossan
Tickets
Can be purchased up until 3:00 PM on Friday 27th September.
Black Isle Supporters Club and the Official Supporters club are both running buses to this match.
