County first visited Love Street for league game in 2001/02. Considering how bad we have been in the last few seasons (04/05 aside), the fact a draw against us is their best result in Paisley is a little embarrasing. No doubt that's thanks to the useless managerial skills of Alex Smith over the past few years.
Sadly for the rest of the first division, Smith left in the summer. To make things worse, County replaced him with John Robertson, who had been unceremoniously dumped by Hearts. Robertson has already won the first division with Inverness Caley and seems to have got things sorted out at Dingwall. They're unbeaten in the league as we come to the end of the first quarter and a real force to contend with. They could finally break their Love Street duck tomorrow.
Two ex Saints should be playing against us tomorrow. Steven McGarry left a few years ago after falling out with Tom Hendrie. Typically his first goal for County came against us! Ian McCaldon was on loan with us from Livingston in our season in the SPL and was pretty impressive, although anyone would have looked impressive compared to Derek Scrimgour. The big goalkeeper spent the last year out of football, but has now joined up with former Livingston team mate Robertson and looks set to return to Ross County's starting lineup tomorrow.
The international break came at just the right time for Saints after our heavy fixture list in the weeks before it. Brian McGinty and Ryan McCay are the only guaranteed absentees for tomorrow. Craig Hinchcliffe is fit, although is unlikely to replace Bell's Young Player of the Month Chris Smith in goals, whilst Mark Reilly is also fit and will hopefully return to the midfield. John Potter and Kirk Broadfoot both had knocks but seem to have recovered and should play. I'm not even going to bother guessing what formation we'll play and who will be up front as these change for almost every game!
Unlike many teams, Ross County will come and have a go rather than sit back. I think they'll finally break their Love Street jinx and extend their lead at the top of the table with a 1-0 win.