 |
|
|
|
|
|
e-mail Lorsports
Return to the Main News IndexReturn to the 1998-99 Index PageReturn to Lorsports' Home Page
Neale Cooper will have the tantalising prospect of a cup final clash with Inverness Caley Thistle on his mind when Ross County tackle Press and Journal Highland League Nairn County in tonight's Inverness Cup quarter-final at Victoria Park. (7.30pm).
Derbies against Caley Thistle have been few and far between since the Inverness side, already through to the last four, stepped up to the Second Division two seasons ago.
Since then, the Inverness Cup has seen the two senior clubs' paths cross twice -- Caley Thistle beating County in two finals -- and Cooper would love to give his side another crack at the Jags later this month.
"It's an appetising prospect, but we've got two ties to play and win before we can even start thinking about a final against Caley Thistle, starting with a Nairn side which will be no pushover," said Cooper.
"Their players will relish the chance to play at Victoria Park against Scottish League opposition and I don't doubt that we'll have to be on our toes to win, because they'll raise their game against us.
"And, if we beat Nairn, there'll be a tough semi-final for us next week against a Brora Rangers side with a big ex-County contingent. That would be a hard game as well."
Cooper looks certain to add winger Davie Ross, defender Willie Furphy and striker Gary Higgins to the nucleus of the side which beat Berwick Rangers 3-1 on Saturday, while Nairn boss Jim Walker will name an unchanged line-up.
County have dropped admission prices to £4 for adults and £2 for concessions for the tie.
Return to the Page Index
Ross County manager Neale Cooper has signed Hibs youngster Russell Huggon on loan for a month.
Huggon impressed Cooper in County's 4-3 win over Brora Rangers in the Inverness Cup on Tuesday.
Cooper confirmed the 19-year-old midfielder, who can also play on the wing, will be in the squad for tomorrow's home game against Queen's Park.
Cooper said: "He played well in the game against Brora. He will be in the squad for Saturday, but the game may have come too early for him."
Huggon, who has yet to play in the Hibs first team, is under contract at Easter Road and Cooper would need to pay a transfer fee if County wish to sign him on a permanent basis.
Cooper admitted Ross County had shown an interest in former Dunfermline full back Raymond Sharp, who signed for Alloa on Wednesday.
Return to the Page Index
Neil Tarrant reckons Ross County can give Queen's Park a hammering today -- if County can grab a quick opening goal.
Confident County, top of Division 3, are chasing a fifth successive league win and Tarrant said: "It's just about getting the first goal. If we get an early goal we can knock four or five in."
Tarrant has scored eight goals this season but a hamstring injury forced him out of the side and Gary Wood stole his starting spot.
Now Wood is sidelined with ankle ligament damage and Tarrant is out to grab goals and cement his place in the team.
"I was playing well at the start of the season but Gary was brilliant when he got his chance. Now he is injured and I'm back in, but it's a squad game. We want to win the league, so we need a big squad and I believe Ross County have a brilliant squad.
"There is a bit of friendly competition between the lads but I live in the same house as Gary and we get on well. We might end up playing together up front - it depends on the boss."
Tarrant scored twice but was on the losing side when County last faced Queen's Park.
The 4-2 defeat was in the immediate aftermath of County's League Cup defeat at Tynecastle and started a run of poor results.
"I was on the bench that day because I had picked up a knock against Hearts in midweek, but I got on at half-time," recalled Tarrant.
"It was 0-0 at half time and the manager told me to go on and get him a couple of goals. I did but, unfortunately, the result didn't go for us."
Manager Neale Cooper will have on loan Hibs midfielder Russell Huggon in his squad but the 19-year-old is unlikely to feature.
Cooper will stick with the same players who beat Stenhousemuir 5-2 at Ochilview last week and said: "Queen's Park ended our unbeaten record so it is a chance for revenge today."
Return to the Page Index
A superb display by veteran winger Billy Ferries took the Spiders apart and helped County top the scoring charts with 41 goals so far this season.
Ferries, 32, looked to be on soccer's scrapheap when he managed only 40 minutes of play last season after suffering a pelvic injury.
But he said: "I wanted to prove those people wrong who said that I'd never play for County again.
"For me, it's all really down to confidence. I'm sharper and faster than I've been for a long time and playing in a good team certainly helps sharpen your belief in your own abilities."
County boss Neale Cooper said: "Billy was different class. His style of play is exactly what the fans pay their money to see and the goal he scored set us on our way.
"I'm sure everyone is getting fed-up of me saying this, but once again Kenny Gilbert had a great game."
Gilbert slipped back into the middle of the defence alongside Ian Maxwell when Mark Haro went off at half-time with a twisted knee. He strolled through the remainder of the game."
The County boss was also delighted that his side have laid a penalty bogey as he watched them score three spot-kicks against Queen's Park.
Cooper said: "Strangely enough, I get blamed by the fans for the lads missing penalties. On the day, it's all about players who are confident enough to go up and take a penalty kick and today our lads were up for it."
Neil Tarrant grabbed a hat-trick, two of them coming from the spot, moving him on to 11 goals for the season along with Steve Ferguson, who blasted home County's fifth goal, again with a penalty kick. Ferries grabbed the other counter.
Return to the Page Index
Ross County's free-scoring troops can't wait for today's top of the table clash at unbeaten Brechin City in the Third Division's match of the day.
County boss Neale Cooper said: "Immediately after the final whistle last week their minds turned to this one. It's a big game and we know it's going to be difficult.
"Whoever wins this one will have a wee platform to build on, but we're not even half way through the season yet and there's still a long way to go."
Cooper added: "We will certainly play to our strengths in the game, and one of those is our ability to score goals -- a lot of the lads are on song at the moment and, hopefully, we'll score a few more to keep our travelling fans happy."
Ross County are intent on avenging the 1-0 home defeat they suffered at the hands of Brechin City in September.
Brechin will be going all out to defend their 15 game unbeaten run in front of a big crowd swelled by several hundred school children receiving free admission.
County have scored 41 goals this term while City have conceeded only nine, suggesting a tight game between two very evenly matched teams.
Central defender Mark Haro is County's only fitness doubt. He will have a late test on the twisted knee he received in the first half of last week's 5-1 win over Queens Park.
If Haro doesn't make it, Willie Furphy will come into the squad of 14.
Return to the Page Index
Derek Adams displayed a high level of confidence when he was scoring regularly for Ross County before his move to Motherwell -- and now Neil Tarrant is following in his footsteps.
The 19-year-old Englishman has been the ideal replacement for Adams and is showing the same kind of positive attitude as his predecessor.
Tarrant scored his 12th goal of the season to end Scotland's remaining undefeated club record and put the Dingwall club three points clear at the top of the Third Division.
The former Darlington player, who was once on trial with French side Auxerre, has taken the burden as No. 1 striker at the club and is relishing the prospect.
Tarrant said: "I believe I can get at least 20 goals this season because I am getting brilliant service from all areas of the park.
"At the start of the season I set my sights on 10 goals by Christmas. Now I have achieved it I want to be the top scorer in the league by the end of the season.
"When I first arrived at the club I knew I couldn't just walk into the team and knew it would take some time for me to get a chance.
"I played a few games when I first joined but then I got injured, which set me back a few months. I had twisted my knee against Berwick but then I came back and scored three goals towards the end of last season.
"I worked hard in pre-season training and Neale Cooper said I was his main striker after Derek Adams. Now I am on fire at the moment and feel really confident."
County went to Glebe Park smarting from their previous 1-0 defeat against Brechin at Victoria Park, having dominated the game and then coming away with nothing.
However, the roles were reversed, with County surviving an onslaught and then stealing the points with Tarrant's goal in 20 minutes.
City keeper Stuart Garden failed to hold a Billy Ferries free kick from the right, Ian Maxwell reacted quickly and cut back to Tarrant, who had time to slot the ball high into the net.
County boss Neale Cooper said: "To have a successful side you sometimes need to ride your luck, and we were very fortunate.
"To break Brechin's run is a big plus for us but we know we can play a lot better and it was a day for battling."
Return to the Page Index
Ross County will challenge Celtic in a glamour friendly at Victoria Park on Saturday, December 5 (3pm).
It was thought in several quarters that this date would accommodate the Inverness Cup final between Ross and Caley Jags.
However, this has been pencilled in for either Saturday, January 23 -- the date of the Scottish Cup third round -- or, more likely, Saturday, March 27, when both clubs will have a free date as Scotland play host to Bosnia that afternoon in the European championships.
Aberdeen legend Eric Black, now Celtic's assistant head coach, will make an emotional trip back to his roots. Black is a native of Alness and was the SFA's development officer for the Highlands before moving to Glasgow in 1994.
County chairman Roy McGregor said last night: "The Celtic side will be made up of first-team fringe players and some of their under-21 side and we are delighted to have the chance of welcoming both Eric and Kenny McDowall back to Dingwall."
Celtic travel to take on Hearts at Tynecastle that weekend, but they are sure to have several household names in their pool for the trip to Dingwall.
Return to the Page Index
Neale Cooper is looking for Ross County to thrill the Dingwall fans against Dumbarton today with the silky soccer style that has been the hallmark of his side's scintillating performances this season.
Cooper said: "Last week at Brechin was one of those games where we weren't able to play our normal game. Although we came away with a victory, we didn't play well.
"But we came away with our first clean sheet for a long time and it was great to see that Steve Ferguson and Neil Tarrant have formed a good partnership up front.
"Dumbarton suffered a bad result in midweek. They're one of the league's better sides and I expect them to come up here looking to make amends for losing 2-0 at home to Montrose."
Realistically, Sons are still well in the hunt for a promotion place and Cooper will have his squad well prepared for the fray.
David MacKay and Connor Campbell are added to the pool but it would be a surprise if Cooper tinkers with the men who won the battle of Brechin.
Flying winger Billy Ferries has been an influential figure in the last few games and his ability to dribble round defenders and show that little bit of pace has proved to be an important factor in County's rise to the top.
Return to the Page Index
Three of Ross County's prominent players Steve Ferguson, Kenny Gilbert and Neil Tarrant have signed contracts committing themselves to the Dingwall side for the next two seasons.
All three played their part in County's victory over Dumbarton on Saturday and Neale Cooper was delighted that they see their future at Victoria Park.
"Steven, Kenny and Neil are important to our team and figure in our long term plans. They are true professionals," he said.
"It is a credit to Ross County that negotiations were progressed swiftly. The three lads are desperately keen to help us gain promotion this season and see their careers further develop at Victoria Park. As usual Kenny Gilbert was tremendous today and man-of-the-match Alex Taylor took control in the middle of the park."
Despite Roy McBain hitting the inside of a post within the first minute, County made heavy weather of the first half.
It was not until Taylor brilliantly finished off McBain's mazy dribble and cross in the 58th minute that the pressure appeared to lift.
Two minutes later Steve Ferguson finished off a move he had started, meeting Neil Tarrant's cross on the drop. Sons keeper Barnes did well to block his first effort but Ferguson only had to chest the ball over the line for his 12th strike of the season. He is equal top scorer at the club with Neil Tarrant who has also scored twelve goals.
Cooper immediately took Ferguson off, bringing on striker Connor Campbell, but the County boss revealed that the move had been planned before Ferguson found the target.
"We made the decision to take off Steven and give Connor a run before that strike. He came on and gave us a lot of pace up front," Cooper said.
Cooper is delighted that his side's home form has started to match their incredible away record. County have now won six of their nine home matches and six out of seven away from home.
"We've certainly been doing very well away from home, but we're now turning in the type of performance here that our fantastic support deserves."
Ross County have a break from league action next weekend when the entertain a Celtic side made up of fringe and youth players, kick-off 3pm.
Return to the Page Index
Return to Lorsports' Home Page