Ross County V Dundee Utd at Victoria Park : Match Preview

17 January 2014 18:31
Ross County V Dundee Utd - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Arquin ready to impress

Yoann Arquin believes he can be a success in the Scottish Premiership after swapping Notts County for Ross County.


The French striker could make his debut against Dundee United on Saturday after signing on Wednesday following a two-week trial period.


The 25-year-old scored 13 goals in 65 appearances for the Magpies, where his team-mates included former Ross County midfielder Mark Fotheringham, but was out of the first-team picture in recent weeks.


Arquin, speaking through a translator, said: "I want to prove I can help the team. It's a good opportunity for myself and the club to move forward.


"Last season I was the top scorer but this season a new manager came, Shaun Derry, and I was training with the reserves, which was a problem for me.


"But that's in the past. Now I'm concentrating on Ross County and doing well here.


"I have speed, I am good in the air and I can shoot and create goals.


"I watched Scottish football on the TV when it was Rangers against Celtic, big games, and my former team-mate at Notts County told me it was good football and it would be good for me.


"I have enjoyed it for two weeks and I'm looking forward to the future."


Ross County midfielder Stuart Kettlewell begins a three-match suspension after his red card against Partick.


Defender Steven Saunders remains on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.


Dundee United will be without teenagers John Souttar and Ryan Gauld against County after manager Jackie McNamara sent the pair on a holiday to Spain to avoid burnout.


McNamara is also without striker Brian Graham, who has a knee injury.


Defender Gavin Gunning is a doubt with a knee problem while Mark Wilson (stomach) and Nadir Ciftci (groin) both have an outside chance of returning from injury.


McNamara has warned his side they face a dangerous game in the Highlands when they travel to take on a rejuvenated Ross County.


Derek Adams has made five January signings so far and his team have picked up seven points from three Scottish Premiership games this month.


The Staggies embarked on a significant upturn in fortunes at the same time last year and ended up finishing fifth in the table, one place above United.


And McNamara has told his players to brace themselves for a demanding afternoon in Dingwall.


McNamara said: "County are on the up. They had a good fightback last week against Partick Thistle.


"And when you add that to the fact they won the derby match the week before then it tells you something.


"So we know it will be a very tough afternoon.


"There is never an easy game in Dingwall and this weekend will be no different.


"Our players know that and they know what to expect.


"We've got to be ready to match them in every respect if we want to come back down the road with the kind of result we are after."


United won convincingly in Dingwall earlier in the season, a 4-2 triumph started a run of just one defeat in 14 league games


But they have failed to win in five games and McNamara insists that game in September will have no bearing on this weekend's meeting.


McNamara said: "That was a good day for us. Everything clicked and we won well on the day.


"But this is a totally different match and a lot has happened since then.


"It's one we want to win and to do that we'll have to do things properly.


"That's when we're at our best and we won't change our ways.


"We're going there to try and play football and hopefully take our chances."


Source: PA