Ross County interim manager Don Cowie looks towards Rangers manager Philippe Clement as the final whistle blows. Clement did not shake Cowie’s hand at full-time Photo Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock
Ross County manager Don Cowie will be looking to complete his own Glasgow double at Dingwall in Sunday’s midday kick-off.
In August, Cowie became the first unbroken club Ross County boss to inflict defeat on Rangers, new or old, and cost Philippe Clement’s title chances.
The Belgian gracefully declined the chance to shake Cowie’s hand that afternoon as the Scottish Premiership title race swung in Celtic’s favour. Ross County have had a few league wins over Celtic over the years, but not under Brendan Rodgers as manager.
It is true that Celtic have played more often against Highland the rangers after the liquidation of the former club, it started again in the fourth tier of Scottish football.
Celtic’s perfect domestic record
Celtic will take to the pitch at Dingwall with a perfect domestic record so far this season, having won every league and cup game with Kasper Schmeichel yet to find the ball in the net in the Scottish Premiership.
The Great Dane got plenty of practice on Tuesday night at the Westfalenstadion, where Dortmund hammered Celtic by seven. This result perhaps gives Ross County some reason for optimism as Celtic could be shaken by experience. Throw in the travel and the big push to try and go head-to-head with last season’s Champions League finalists and Celtic could be more vulnerable than Cowie might have expected.
Free hit for Ross County theory
For many pundits north of the border, it is seen as a free hit for the county. Nothing is expected of them and they can play freely against an opponent still on the ropes after their traumatic night in the Rhineland. This is a theory that Cowie himself is quick to dismiss.
“There is no such thing as a free kick,” said the Ross County boss, with Highland official website of the club. “We understand that it is a challenge. They have been in excellent form at national and European level, bar Tuesday. But it is a challenge that we must accept and wait for.
“They have scored a lot of goals and they have not failed to concede a goal in the League, but we always believe that we can hurt the opponent we play against and score goals. This is the opportunity that comes to us on Sunday.
“I think your mentality has to change when you come up against a team like Celtic.
Celtic FC: Threats all over the pitch
“They have threats all over the pitch, they have a clear identity in the way they play, they are all synchronized in terms of their movement, so you have to have maximum levels of concentration.
“You might think you’ve negated something within their team, but there will be another aspect they’re also very good at. It’s a real challenge, but it’s one you have to enjoy and embrace.”
Scottish Premiership: Ross County v Celtic kicks off at midday and is live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football. It is also broadcast live on Celtic TV for subscribers outside Great Britain and Ireland.
