St Johnstone is set to face off against Ross County at McDiarmid Park on February 26, 2025, as both teams scramble to secure their spots in the Scottish Premiership and avoid relegation. The stakes couldn't be higher as St Johnstone currently sits at the bottom of the league, and with just one win from their last nine midweek games, they are desperate for three points.
Fortunately for St Johnstone, they’re hoping to welcome back key players including Benji Kimpioka, who has been sidelined due to illness, and Victor Griffith, who has struggled with ankle issues. Nonetheless, the squad still faces challenges with the long-term absences of Uche Ikpeazu (knee injury) and Sam McClelland (Achilles). On the other side, Ross County welcomes back Zac Ashworth after injury, but will be without Michee Efete (knee), Ryan Leak (Achilles), Alex Samuel (thigh), and Will Nightingale (knee).
The significance of this match is underscored by historical performance: St Johnstone has been unbeaten against Ross County over the past five league meetings, recording three wins and two draws. This is notable as previously, the two teams met 18 times with St Johnstone managing only three victories (D10 L5). Last October, they convincingly defeated the Staggies 3-0, which included Ross County finishing the match with nine men following two red cards.
Despite the league table placing, Ross County’s manager Don Cowie remains cautious heading to Perth. He stated, “Despite losing two players in the game at different times, we didn’t do ourselves justice down there. We didn’t enjoy how we started the game, and...it wasn’t us.” Cowie expressed frustration at the team's performance during their last encounter at McDiarmid Park, showcasing just how eager he is for the squad to improve against St Johnstone this time.
Ross County heads to this match with notable recent form, having won their last two matches and sitting 11 points clear of their opponents. Although they have improved significantly since the festive period, Cowie insists they wouldn’t be complacent against St Johnstone. “They are where they are in the table, but I still think they are a good, dangerous team,” he noted. Cowie aims to see his team build momentum now, sitting just two points away from the top-half positions.
Error-stricken performances against St Johnstone have lingered on Cowie’s mind, and he is encouraged to rectify those past mistakes, especially with the potential of gaining ground on top teams. He said, “What I did speak about...was our challenge to accumulate as many points as possible.” This tactical mindset puts the focus squarely on this upcoming match.
Highlighting Ross County’s latest players, defender Akil Wright has been one of the standout performers. Wright's contributions have been pivotal, amassing incredible performances coupled with goals. “I feel like I’ve done what I’ve always done, but as I’ve played more and more games it has helped me to show how good I am,” Wright declared, clearly confident of his role at the club, especially after scoring his fourth goal of the season last week.
Given the importance of this midweek encounter, both teams will be pushing hard for victory as St Johnstone looks to escape serious relegation threats, and Ross County aims to solidify its hold on their higher league standing. Fans eagerly anticipate not just the outcome but the spectacle expected from this tightly contested match.
With the added pressure, expectations for excitement are high. Can St Johnstone bounce back to reshape their fragile campaign, or will Ross County continue to climb the table and put more distance between them and the relegation zone? Match day should provide answers.