This weekend there are expectations…
Earning a point each against the likes of Motherwell, Aberdeen, and Celtic was just fine- even if it should have been three against Celtic! It was a “solid” start to Ross County’s first Scottish Premier League season and more than anything else, giving up only one goal in those three matches showed that the County defense is stout and that is what will serve the club well as the season drags on. The goals will likely come and go depending on the opposition, but good defense and goalkeeping is something upon which the club can build. This weekend, however, County should be expected to gain their first SPL victory when they travel to Dens Park to face Dundee F.C.
Dundee finished second in the First Division last season, but it was a distant, distant second and had the season been longer they would likely have become a mere speck in County’s rearview mirror. Despite finishing 24 points behind the champions, Dundee find themselves in the SPL courtesy of Rangers F.C. going out of existence. While the Dark Blues will struggle to avoid relegation back to the First Division, they are without a doubt an improved side since they last faced County. Foremost among these new signings is the most recent one, Colin Nish. Nish is currently on loan from Hartlepool United in League One, but who was a proven SPL goal scorer in almost 300 matches for Kilmarnock and Hibernian. Dundee also feature numerous former Ross County players- Gary Irvine, Steven O’Donnell, and Steven Milne, who played in Dingwall just last year.
Still, this is the first of numerous matches this year from which County must take three points if they hope to avoid relegation. One point won’t be a disaster, but three will signal that the club is truly on the right track. Not to mention the fact that three points will likely move County into the top half of the SPL table!!
