Don Cowie is expecting ‘the best version’ of Celtic in today’s game

The Celtic Star

·11 January 2025

Don Cowie is expecting ‘the best version’ of Celtic in today’s game

Don Cowie is expecting ‘the best version’ of Celtic ahead of lunchtime’s kick-off in Dingwall as the Champions look to extend the lead over nearest rivals theRangers to 18 points…

Ross County manager Don Cowie and Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers shake hands at the final whistle

Ross County’s decent form

Ross County arrive at their third meeting of the season with the Scottish champions in excellent form. Unbeaten in their last four games, County have taken 10 points from a possible 12 over the festive and New Year period.

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The Staggies had gone 15 months without an away win in the league until a 3-0 victory over Dundee at Dens Park on Boxing Day. Since then, impressive victories at Pittodrie and Rugby Park means Don Cowie’s side have won three successive league encounters on the road in the Scottish Premiership for the first time in their history.

Don Cowie was Brendan Rodgers’ first signing as a manager

Brendan Rodgers has battled it out with his former Watford player Don Cowie twice already this season. The first came in early October when Celtic fought back late on courtesy of Alistair Johnston and Nicolas Kuhn to secure a vital three points in Dingwall after a humiliating display in Dortmund days earlier.

Ross County interim manager Don Cowie looks towards Rangers manager Philippe Clement as the final whistle sounds. Clement did not shake hands with Cowie at full-time Photo Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock

Also, Celtic blitzed County in a five star first-half performance in late November. Sweeping the Staggies aside, the Hoops demonstrated their qualities comfortably winning 5-0.

Daizen Maeda, Nicolas Kuhn, Luis Palma and James Forrest all missing

Rodgers will be without wingers Daizen Maeda, Nicolas Kuhn and Luis Palma, therefore adjustments in the wide areas will have to be made. James Forrest is also sidelined.

County will be aiming to take points off Celtic for the first time in four years and leap above teams in a congested league table. Meanwhile, Celtic can widen the significant gap at the top between themselves and theRangers to 18 points with a victory.

Speaking ahead of the game, Don Cowie is expecting a tough affair but remains confident his players can stay concentrated for 90 minutes and make it tough for Celtic.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers embraces Ross County manager Don Cowie during theScottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Ross County FC at Celtic Park on November 30, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“We’ve always got to expect the best version of them,” Cowie explained. “When it’s the best version, they are easily the best team in the country. We will be ready for that, but at the same time we have to be ready if they are not at their best and try to take advantage of that.”

“We have to be at our best. Without the ball the concentration levels have to be at a top level throughout the whole game, and then when we get those opportunities, we have to be clinical.”

“A couple of months ago when we played them, we showed we have a good understanding of how to play against them – but they have still got real quality and can hurt you at any time.”

“It’s just about putting a complete performance together to get a result.”

🗣️ "The group has got real confidence." 🗣️ "There will be a bit of movement." Ross County boss Don Cowie on the club's January transfer plans and facing Celtic tomorrow live on Sky Sports 📺
– Friday, 10 January 2025

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