Match preview: Ross County vs. Celtic

When Neil Lennon took over as caretaker manager for the remainder of the dreadful campaign Tony Mowbray left behind he was asked to do two essential things; one was to close the gap as much as possible on a marching to victory Rangers team and the other was to win the Scottish Cup. 10th April 2010 will be a day Ross County fans never forget because that was the day they stopped Celtic doing the latter. In a season which couldn't get much worse it sent the Celtic fans into deep reflection and the entire club into a Summer of revolution. Ross County went on to have their cup final day out vs. Dundee United and whilst they came up short it was a unifying moment up North for fans of Highland football.. On Wednesday night the two clubs meet for only the third time in their history. The media will build the game around these events but it's unlikely either team will want to focus on the past.

I've invited another guest blogger to give their thoughts on how the opposing team's season is going for those of us unaware. The man with the task this time is Alan Ross from Ross County fansite TheJailender.com (you can also find Alan @TJE_Updates on Twitter). He explains:

Ross County’s start to the season was sluggish, although has steadily improved as the season has progressed. 

The season opened with a shock defeat at home to Third Divison, and former Highland League rivals, Elgin City in the Ramsdens Challenge Cup; a trophy they were looking to retain after winning it only three months beforehand. The following week saw an improvement as County scrapped a 2-1win against Queens Park at Victoria Park in the first round of the Scottish Communities league Cup. 

As for the league season, the First Division is as tight as ever with only 2 points separating second top from second bottom, with only 6 points between top and bottom. It’s no surprising that the majority of County’s games have ended in draws then. That’s how the league campaign started when they drew 2-2 at home to the early league leaders Morton. County then suffered their heaviest defeat since entering the Scottish League 16 years ago when they lost 5-1 away to Hamilton the following week. 

However County recovered from the defeat and beat Queen of the South the following week before returning to Hamilton’s new Douglas Park to win 2-1 in the League Cup. This revival in fortunes coincided with County Manager Derek Adams’s return to the dugout after serving a four match suspension.  

Since then County’s performances have steadily improved week on week, although their long running frustration of not being able to convert chances created in front of goal has seen them draw many of their games.

Ross County will undoubtedly smell the blood of a Celtic which was wounded by the hand of Rangers. Saying that, teams facing either Celtic or Rangers after a bad result often fear the wrath of a team itching to set the record straight. County's side remains surprisingly similar from the exploits at Hampden. First goalscorer Steven Craig (whose father Joe played for Celtic) remains at the club and six further players in the squad started that day; Garry Miller, Scott Morrison, Scott Boyd, Richard Brittain, Iain Vigurs and Michael Gardyne. The game is a showcase for the players again with it being shown live across the nation on BBC1. Victoria Park is home to the small but imposing stands and tight pitch you often see in the SFL; under the lights it's likely to be a claustrophobic place to play football.  The team will be eager to write a new giant killing chapter into their relative short history in the football league; they will believe that if they can get in the faces of supposed stars of the SPL anything is possible. The prospect of Hampden is now closer for the Dingwall side looking forward rather than looking back.

For Neil Lennon it's a tricky proposition. Whether the manager decides to give fringe players of the squad a meaningful game to prove their worth or opts to send out the complacent team from the second half at Ibrox remains to be seen. Another defeat and exit from the League Cup at this stage would be further damaging to his and Celtic's reputation regardless of the strength of the eleven. In an already hectic schedule perhaps it would be prudent to send out a mixture of youth and proven talent. It should also be a good chance to give Charlie Mulgrew and Kelvin Wilson further game time together if, as hoped, Glenn Loovens returns to being very much a squad player for what seems like the third or fourth time. Mohamed Bangura will perhaps get his first start after coming on in the latter stages of the only games he's played in so far. Adam Matthews may get to continue his development at right back and Badr El Kaddouri might be given the opportunity to play his way out of his Sunday nightmare. In midfield Victor Wanyama could get a start in the middle to further adapt to the pace and physicality of the Scottish game. Then there's the enigma that is Paddy McCourt; will he get the chance to show he can be part of this season if fit and available for selection? Youth knocking on the door of the first team squad includes Filip Twardzik, Paul George and Lewis Toshney; any combination of these players, who traveled to Madrid, could feature if the game is going well.

Celtic will be looking to enter the deepest stages of both domestic cup competitions and the only thing we know for certain is that Neil Lennon will take the threat of Ross County very seriously after we were collectively embarrassed eighteen months ago. A team will be sent out that he believes is good enough. Going forward there's no room to take any team we face lightly. While respecting County, Celtic should really be looking to take a comfortable victory on Wednesday night. Even if the majority of fans do not look upon the League Cup as one of the most glamorous trophies we compete for there would certainly be a a lot of discontent if we are dumped out of another competition at the hands of 'the Staggies'. As I've previously written... a momentum of defeat can not be allowed to gain pace.