Highlands & Islands

• Celtic have won each of their last eight consecutive meetings with Ross County in all competitions since a 0-1 defeat under Neil Lennon in February 2021. Indeed, the Glasgow side have also won both previous occasions they have faced the Staggies on MD1 of a league season in 2013-14 (2-1) and 2015-16 (2-0).

• Ross County have never won a league visit to Celtic in 16 previous attempts (D3 L13), losing each of their last nine in a row by an aggregate score of 1-29 since a 1-1 draw in April 2016.

• Celtic have won 20 of the last 21 occasions in which their opening league match of a season has been at home (D1). They haven’t lost on home soil on MD1 of a league campaign since 1950-51 to Morton (3-4), going unbeaten in 33 such matches since (W29 D4).

• This will be the fifth time that Ross County have begun a Scottish top-flight season away from home on MD1, losing three of the previous four occasions (W1 – v Dundee in 2017-18), including twice at Celtic (2013-14 and 2015-16).

• Celtic’s returning manager Brendan Rodgers is unbeaten in his last 10 managerial league games on MD1 (W8 D2), including winning all three season openers as Celtic boss from 2016-17 to 2018-19. His last MD1 defeat came as Liverpool manager in 2012-13 (0-3 v West Brom).

Andrew Dallas and Greg Aitken have been appointed as the first dedicated Video Assistant Referees in Scotland, while the Scottish FA has also created a VAR independent review panel.

With more than 30 years of combined experience as match officials, Dallas and Aitken will step back from on-field duties to focus on officiating from Clydesdale House.

Gary Hilland, Andrew McWilliam and Graeme Leslie will also call time on their on-field duties to take up positions as the first dedicated VAR assistants in Scotland.

"Andrew and Greg have significant experience officiating at the highest level but have both shown a particular aptitude operating as VARs since its launch last year," said Allan.

"With the new season upon us it is important for us to continue to improve the VAR operation in all areas, so while their time on the pitch has come to an end, we are delighted that our match officials will continue to benefit from their vast experience."

The independent review panel will comprise former players, managers and coaches. Guided by experts on the IFAB Laws of the Game, it will meet on a regular basis to discuss and give an independent view of VAR interventions and non-interventions.

The appointment of the dedicated VAR match officials and the independent review panel are facets of "a commitment to improved transparency and efficiency, and knowledge and understanding of VAR" after several controversies following its rollout in Scotland last autumn.

Image source, SNS

Can Ross County cause an upset as they head to Celtic in the first fixture of the new Scottish Premiership season?

Put yourself in Malky Mackay's shoes and tell us who you would pick to get the job done here.

Ross County are in the chase to land a loan move for Arsenal striker Nathan Butler-Oyedeji. (Press & Journal)

Read all of Wednesday's Scottish gossip.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, BBC Sport

Ross Morren, The County Corner podcast, external

It’s been 58 days since Josh Sims’ penalty hit the back of the net against Partick Thistle in the Premiership play-off penalty shootout to complete one of the most spectacular comebacks I’ve witnessed in football. (Yes, I may be a little biased in that opinion!). It sent the home fans in Dingwall absolutely delirious, but most importantly it secured Ross County’s Premiership status for another season.

So, how can County use that incredible comeback as a springboard to success in the upcoming season?

Off the pitch, the play-off final drama has galvanised fans into supporting the club now more than ever. There’s been a 23.5% increase in season ticket purchases compared to last season, and the new home kit is also the clubs best selling on record. This kind of support and investment from fans has also helped County on the pitch, and allowed the club to bring in some real quality players.

Eamonn Brophy signing on a permanent basis is an exciting piece of business, and our marquee signing of this transfer window so far. Scoring three goals and two assists during his eight matches on-loan last season and striking up a strong partnership up front with Jordan White before his season was ended due to injury, Brophy made his mark.

If he shows the form we know he’s more than capable of, then perhaps a recall to the Scotland squad could be on the cards...

Along with Brophy, Jay Henderson has also made the move from Paisley to Dingwall this summer. He impressed with his direct running and technical ability in 21 appearances on-loan at ICT last season, scoring four goals and assisting five which are impressive stats for a young winger.

He’ll be spending this season on the other side of the Kessock Bridge alongside his former teammate, Scott Allardice, who shares the target of establishing himself as a Premiership player. A standout in midfield for ICT last season, he’ll add strength and physicality to the County midfield.

As it turned out, County fans had an early chance to get to know Kyle Turner during the play-off final last season. Turner was a real driving force in the Partick Thistle midfield, scoring seven goals and assisting a further 16 goals in 50 appearances. I believe Turner is a player who could improve the midfield of several Premiership sides, so convincing him to make the move north is a real coup.

Fans always love to see “one of their own”, a player who’s come through the youth academy and has Ross County in their blood, and that’s the perfect way to describe Josh Reid. Returning to Dingwall, Reid's ready to continue his development and help drive his local club to success.

I think there’s a strong possibility that County can have a very successful season. As exciting as the ending was to last season, I’d quite like to avoid the play-offs for the foreseeable future!

Malky’s first target this season will be aim for 10th place, and build from there. There’s a strong core group of players who will be looking to improve on last season, coupled with the quality additions so far and their hunger to prove themselves at their new club, there’s no reason why this squad can’t finish further up the table.

My gut feeling is we’ll have enough to comfortably avoid a relegation scrap, but with one or two more additions before the end of the transfer window, the squad could potentially put themselves in the mix for a top-six place come the end of the season...

Predicted finish: 7th

Standout player: Yan Dhanda

Game most looking forward to: Heading to Celtic Park on the opening day of the season to kick off the new Premiership season... And hopefully to spoil the party on Flag Day!