Ross County are set to be without the duo of Jack Baldwin and Ross Callachan for next week’s Premier Sports cup tie against Celtic.
It wasn’t too long ago that the Hoops made their first visit to the Highlands of the season, having defeated the Staggies 3-1 in the second game of the Scottish Premiership campaign.
However, both sides were once again matched up with one another in the 2nd round of the Premier Sports cup.
The Bhoys will make the trip to Dingwall in the hope of securing a place in the next knockout round of the competition on the 31st of August.
After putting in a solid defensive showing at the beginning of this month, Malky MacKay’s side will be out for revenge when Celtic come to town.
Levelling up the game just before the hour mark, it took until six minutes from time for Celtic to get back in front, with goals from Moritz Jenz and Liel Abada sealing the points for Postecoglou’s men.
However, ahead of the Premier Sports cup tie, Ross County will be without two of their key players after Jack Baldwin, and Ross Callachan received two-game bans from the SFA Compliance Officer due to challenges during their fixture against Kilmarnock last weekend.
Callachan was given his marching orders in County’s 1-0 win over the Rugby Park side on Saturday after picking up two yellow cards. Of course, usually, that would only see a player miss one game through suspension.
But, on review by the Compliance officer, the midfielder was handed a two-game ban for a late lunge on former Celtic man Kerr McInroy in the first half of the game, which he only received a yellow card for at the time.
County’s team captain Jack Baldwin was able to see out the 90 minutes of their first win in the league this season. But, he was also handed a retrospective two-game ban for a second-half challenge, which he received a yellow for during the game.
Both players have been key features for Malky MacKay’s side so far this season, having featured in all four of their Scottish Premiership outings.
After joining the club last summer, Baldwin and Callachan were also key players in helping the Staggies achieve a top-six finish, both playing over 34 games across the 2021/22 campaign.
So, the County duo will likely be a big miss for the huge cup tie against Celtic a week from today.
The 2nd round of the Premier Sports cup marks the point that Ange Postecoglou’s side enters the competition.
The Hoops will be hoping to retain the trophy, having lifted the League Cup in the 56-year-old’s first 12 months in the Parkhead dugout.
County have shown in the past how tough a team they can be to face, particularly at their home venue. But, it will come as a blow to be missing two key players from their starting lineup.
In other news, “Great atmosphere” – RB Salzburg duo name Celtic Park visit as part of dream Champions League draw
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
