Ross County Vs Celtic

Ross County will be looking to strengthen their position above the relegation zone when they host Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic at the Global Energy Stadium on Saturday afternoon. With a critical battle against relegation looming, the Staggies hope to continue their recent good form, but they face a daunting task against the formidable league leaders. 

Currently sitting in 10th place, Ross County have accumulated 25 points from 22 matches, consisting of six wins, seven draws, and nine defeats. Their place in the table leaves them just two points ahead of 11th-placed Hearts, and they will be eager to avoid the relegation playoff for a third consecutive season. The team is entering the fixture with some optimism, having collected 10 points from their last four outings, including three wins and a draw. With confidence high after their recent performances, Ross County are determined to cause an upset against the high-flying Hoops. However, even with this newfound belief, the task ahead is challenging, as Celtic are cruising at the top of the table, 16 points clear of second-placed Rangers, albeit with a game in hand.

Looking back, Ross County's journey since the 2021-22 season has been one of struggle. After finishing a respectable sixth in the Premiership in 2021-22, the team has battled in the lower half of the table over the past two seasons. Both 2022-23 and 2023-24 saw the Staggies narrowly avoid relegation, finishing in 11th place and surviving the relegation playoffs. In 2022-23, they faced Partick Thistle in the playoffs and emerged victorious, while in 2023-24, they overcame Raith Rovers to secure another season in the top flight. Heading into the current campaign, manager Don Cowie was hopeful of steering the club clear of another relegation dogfight, but as things stand, Ross County are once again battling near the bottom. Despite the challenges, they remain just a few points behind the top six, with a win here potentially pushing them into contention for a higher finish.

Their opponents, Celtic, are enjoying a sensational 2024-25 campaign. With only two defeats from their 31 matches across all competitions and a tally of 24 wins and five draws, they have been virtually unstoppable this season. Sitting atop the Scottish Premiership with 56 points from 21 games, Celtic hold a commanding 16-point lead over Rangers, though the Gers do have a game in hand. Their superb form has seen them maintain a stronghold on domestic football, while also progressing in European competition. The Bhoys are on the cusp of qualifying for the Champions League knockout stages for the first time since the 2012-13 season, and they have already secured silverware this term, defeating Rangers in a dramatic penalty shootout after a thrilling 3-3 draw in the League Cup final.

Celtic's dominance in domestic competitions seemed unshakable until earlier this month when their unbeaten run in league play came to an abrupt end. A 3-0 loss to Rangers at the beginning of January 2025 shattered their long-standing invincibility, but the response from Brendan Rodgers' side has been emphatic. Since that defeat, Celtic bounced back strongly with a 3-0 victory over St Mirren and a 2-0 win against Dundee United. These results have shown the resilience and quality of the squad, and they will be eager to continue their momentum when they face Ross County. The Hoops will be looking to extend their lead at the top and maintain their impressive run as they march toward another title.

Celtic's manager, Brendan Rodgers, has been the architect behind their success this season, and his ability to lead the team through both domestic and European challenges has been crucial. Rodgers has built a well-balanced squad with depth and quality across all areas of the pitch. With standout performers like Kyogo Furuhashi, who has been in sensational form this season, and captain Callum McGregor, Celtic's squad is filled with players capable of winning games at the highest level. The addition of several key signings in the summer has added even more strength to an already impressive side, and their early-season dominance shows just how well the team has gelled under Rodgers’ guidance.

For Ross County, their approach will likely be focused on being compact and resilient, hoping to frustrate Celtic and capitalize on any potential mistakes. The Staggies have shown glimpses of quality in recent weeks, but they will need to be at their absolute best to have any hope of challenging the league leaders. Cowie’s side will look to players like Jordan White and Dominic Samuel to provide a spark in attack, while they will also rely on their defensive unit to remain organized and disciplined in the face of Celtic’s attacking threat.

Despite their relatively lowly position in the table, Ross County have a solid home record, and their supporters will play a key role in lifting the team. The Global Energy Stadium has often been a fortress for the Staggies, and the crowd will be hoping for a performance that can bring them closer to safety in the league. With Celtic bringing their star-studded squad to Dingwall, however, it is difficult to see past the visitors claiming all three points, but if Ross County can harness the confidence from their recent performances, they could pose a challenge.

The Staggies will need to ensure they are well organized at the back to prevent Celtic's attacking players from running riot. Defenders such as Jack Baldwin and Keith Watson will need to be at their best to deal with the pace and quality of Celtic's forwards, while goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw will have to be in top form to keep the visitors at bay. Ross County's midfield will also need to be disciplined in tracking the runs of Celtic's attacking players and offering support in both defense and attack. The battle in the middle of the park will be crucial, as Celtic’s midfield duo of McGregor and Reo Hatate have been outstanding this season and will look to control the tempo of the game.

In terms of attacking play, Ross County will likely look to capitalize on set pieces and counter-attacks. Given Celtic's high pressing game, there could be opportunities for the Staggies to exploit the space left in behind when they break forward. The pace of Samuel and White could be key to creating these chances, as both players have shown the ability to make runs behind defenses. The key to any success for Ross County will be their ability to remain calm and composed under pressure, as Celtic's relentless attacking play can wear down even the best teams.

Celtic, on the other hand, will be focused on continuing their dominance and extending their lead at the top of the table. With their sights firmly set on another Premiership title, the Bhoys will be keen to build on their recent successes and maintain their impressive form as the season progresses. They have already shown that they can bounce back from setbacks, and with Rodgers at the helm, they will be confident of securing another vital three points on Saturday.

For Celtic, maintaining a high level of intensity and focus will be essential in ensuring they don't slip up against a team battling relegation. With their squad’s quality and depth, they will be the clear favorites going into this match, but they will need to avoid complacency and be fully focused on the task at hand. Given the stakes for Ross County, this match promises to be an intriguing contest, with the Staggies hoping to spring a surprise and Celtic aiming to assert their dominance once again.

As the match approaches, both teams have clear objectives. For Ross County, the focus is on continuing their recent form and fighting for survival, while Celtic’s goal is to extend their lead at the top and maintain their impressive campaign. With both teams motivated by their respective aims, Saturday’s match promises to be a fascinating encounter, with the outcome likely to have significant implications for both ends of the Scottish Premiership table.