Ross County V Celtic at Victoria Park : Match Preview

08 November 2013 17:01
Ross County V Celtic - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Adams hopes to get over the line

Derek Adams is looking for Ross County to complete 90 minutes of football at the third time of asking if nothing else when Celtic visit Dingwall in the Scottish Premiership.


The Staggies boss took his side to St Mirren last Saturday only to see the game called off midway through the second half due to a waterlogged pitch.


The previous week, a power failure at half-time meant the match against Highland rivals Inverness at County's Global Energy Stadium had to be abandoned.


"I have never known anything like this in my time as a player or a manager, "said Adams. "It has been very difficult for us.


"One game was at home, the other was away. It is something we have to get on with but it is frustrating that we haven't been able to get two games completed.


"It has been a stop-start season with abandoned games and international breaks and we are just looking to put a run of games together.


"We will have played 11 games this season and Celtic have played more than 20.


"But we look forward to the Celtic game. They will have a very good following with them and they are coming off a Champions League game.


"For ourselves, it will be nice to get back to competitive action after not getting 90 minutes completed in the previous games."


Despite their 1-0 defeat away to Ajax in midweek leaving Celtic's Champions League hopes up in the air, the Hoops are unbeaten in the league this season.


Neil Lennon's players showed how much that record means to them last week when they battled back from a goal behind to score an injury-time leveller against Dundee United at Parkhead.


Adams said: "They started the season very well, undefeated in the league and they kept that intact against Dundee United last week with a late goal.


"I am sure they will be coming here and looking to do the same but we are looking to cause another upset and that's what it would be.


"They have a very good squad. I am sure they will make changes after the exertions of midweek but whoever comes into the team will be very talented.


"But we will be ready. Last season we drew twice with Celtic and beat them once at home so we have a very good record against them.


"It is a good fixture, one that everyone always looks forward to.


"I am sure it will be a capacity crowd and the atmosphere is always very good at these matches."


Melvin De Leeuw is a doubt having taken hefty knocks against Inverness and St Mirren and is battling to shrug them off in time.


Meanwhile, Celtic boss Lennon has complained about having to play a lunchtime kick-off in the Highlands so soon after returning from Holland.


"I am really not happy about the timing of the game," he said.


"I have had no time at all to work with the players. We came back from Amsterdam in the early hours of Thursday morning, we are in today (Friday) but there is no chance of any players who played, doing any training.


"Now we have a three-hour bus ride for a lunchtime kick-off.


"The timing is ridiculous and then I have players away in international duty for two weeks after that.


"I know the SPFL have nothing to do with internationals but I feel sorry for our supporters, some of them who may have been in Amsterdam now having to go to Dingwall on Saturday morning and I feel sorry for the players.


"It is an entertainment business and it is going to be very difficult for them to play at their very best. So I may have to look to freshen things up."


Scott Brown and Nir Biton return to the squad after both missed out in midweek through suspension.





Georgios Samaras will not travel with the squad due to a swollen knee while Adam Matthews (collarbone) and Steven Mouyokolo (Achilles) remain out.


Source: PA