Ross County boss makes an odd Celtic comparison but pinpoints duo who can exploit his side

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Ross County manager Don Cowie has compared league leaders Celtic to bottom side Hearts in the build-up to Sunday’s Scottish Premiership meeting.

The Bhoys make a long trip to the Highlands, aiming to exorcise the demons of Tuesday night’s Champions League performance and confidently return to winning ways.

Brendan Rodgers is expected to use a difficult Celtic week as motivation in Dingwall. Three points are needed to maintain the status quo above Aberdeen and Rangers in the league table.

Cowie knows his side are up against as tough a test as it gets in Scotland. However, he feels his side are well prepared, in part because of their trip to Tynecastle last week.

They earned a 1-1 draw against Hearts, and the Ross County boss reckons he’ll face a similar tactical set-up at home on Sunday.

Don Cowie delivers verdict on Celtic ahead of Ross County clash

Cowie said [Ross-shire Journal]: “We spoke about it as a group going into these two games – Hearts and Celtic are very similar in terms of the way the opposition plays. We’re going to have to defend well, concentrate and defend deep at times.

“There is obviously a slight variable in the quality of the individuals in their two teams, but their framework is very similar.

“It was a good test for us on Saturday, and I thought for 95 minutes we did extremely well to defend our goal and be really brave to get first contacts.”

County may deploy a similar rearguard action, but the champions’ creativity has been supreme in domestic football this term and they’ll do very well to shut the Bhoys out based on league form so far.

Celtic full-backs highlighted as key threats in Dingwall

The Staggies manager does think that the way Celtic utilise their full-backs is an added threat on Sunday.

New Bhoy Alex Valle is expected to start in Greg Taylor’s absence, with Alistair Johnston, hopefully, on the opposite flank.

Cowie continued: “It’s a real challenge, because you go into it thinking about them as an opposition and the abundance of quality they have.

“Normally you would think about wide players being really good and dealing with two players, but the way Celtic play their full backs have freedom to join in with attacks which means there are so many elements to be aware of.

“It will take a real collective performance, first on the training pitch, and then we have to execute it during the match on Sunday.”

Celtic’s task is to break down a defensively resolute side today. It’ll be a low line, with a packed penalty box. The ability of the Bhoys can shine through but Rodgers’ side will be made to work for the three points.