Celtic are set to face Ross County in Dingwall this weekend, and Brendan Rodgers has identified a key player from the home side that his team will need to watch closely on Sunday.
This comes off the back of Celtic’s disappointing midweek defeat in the Champions League against Borussia Dortmund, leaving the Hoops eager to regain form and secure a vital win in the Scottish Premiership.
The trip to the Global Energy Stadium offers Rodgers’ men a chance to put their European frustrations behind them, and they’ll head into the match as strong favourites.
However, with the pressure to maintain their lead at the top of the table, they cannot afford any slip-ups, especially as this fixture forms part of an important weekend of Scottish football.
Rodgers wary of Ronan Hale:
Ahead of the match, Rodgers singled out Ross County striker Ronan Hale, highlighting the player’s strong start to life in Scotland.
Hale, a new arrival from Cliftonville, has impressed since joining the Staggies, netting three goals in seven appearances. His form has made him one to watch, and Rodgers is under no illusions about the threat the young forward poses.
“We’ve seen them play, obviously, in the sort of 3-5-2 structure. From the build-up, it’ll go directly up to the strikers. Young Ronan Hale has done really well coming in from Cliftonville, scored three goals in seven games, and he’ll have an enthusiasm to play against Celtic, I’m sure,” Rodgers explained.
The Celtic boss also pointed to the physicality and intensity of matches at Ross County’s tight ground, noting that his side will need to be prepared for a tough encounter.
“There’s always tough games, (it’s a) tight pitch. We’ll have great support there, and we aim to get back on track with a high-performance level… but we know up there it’s always tough.”
Hale’s rise hasn’t gone unnoticed, and he is reportedly close to securing a call-up for Northern Ireland, pending a switch of allegiance from the Republic of Ireland. His growing reputation as a potential international player only adds to his threat this weekend.
Celtic’s strong record against Ross County:
Despite the challenge ahead, Celtic will take confidence from their recent record against Ross County.
The Hoops have won their last 11 meetings with the Staggies, a run that stretches back to February 2021, when Neil Lennon oversaw his last match in charge. They also claimed victories in all of their clashes with Ross County last season.
With that momentum behind them, Celtic will be hoping to secure three vital points before heading into the international break. Victory would serve as a morale boost after their European disappointment and help solidify their position at the top of the Premiership standings.
As the Hoops prepare for Sunday’s match, Rodgers will be acutely aware of the need for his side to deliver a performance. With Hale looking to make an impact, Celtic’s defensive replacements will need to be on their toes to secure a result in the Highlands.