It have to be spirit sapping for County to be going into this tie on a run of seven defeats and two attracts as they completed second backside, 4 factors adrift of Dundee.
Livingston, in distinction, are flying into the ultimate after a convincing 4-0 mixture semi-final victory over Partick Thistle, having narrowly misplaced out of their title race with Falkirk.
Whereas the Highland aspect are aiming to increase their six-year keep within the prime flight, Livingston are aiming to bounce again on the first time of asking after relegation final season.
One consolation for County is that historical past is definitely on the aspect of the Premiership group.
There have been 10 Premiership play-off finals. Solely three Championship sides have triumphed to make that leap upwards.
Nonetheless, Livingston have expertise as a type of three promoted golf equipment. They had been winners in 2018, changing Partick Thistle within the prime flight.
The dimensions of the hole between Premiership and Championship sides is an oft-debated matter.
Though it has been a tricky season for County, their gamers have been honing themselves towards a usually larger grade of participant all season and that should depend for one thing.
Livingston, although, can level to loads of gamers inside their ranks who’ve loads of years of wealthy Premiership expertise – the likes of Stevie Might, Ryan McGowan, Danny Wilson and Scott Pittman have all impressed within the prime flight over time.
On the subject of current on-field proof of contests between the 2 divisions, Livingston misplaced 1-0 at house to St Johnstone – who completed backside of the Premiership – of their Scottish Cup quarter-final again in March.
Tellingly, nevertheless, Livi beat County in the identical competitors again in January. That was a 3-2 victory in Dingwall as Andrew Shinnie scored the winner within the last minute of additional time.
Former Dundee captain Cammy Kerr is aware of the territory on the subject of each Premiership and Championship.
The Queen’s Park defender believes Livingston pose a serious menace to the Premiership aspect.
“Livingston have a transparent identification,” Kerr advised Sportscene. “They go at groups, they’ve been much more attacking this season within the Championship.
“For me, it’s a mentality factor. Livingston are on the up. Ross County are the entire reverse. It does play a component.”
The 16 targets from Ronan Hale in all competitions will give County hope. The Northern Eire striker has additionally scored of their previous two matches.
Defence is extra of a problem. It was 1 March the final time the Dingwall aspect stored a clear sheet.
As for Livingston, continuity has been the theme with the identical 11 beginning the previous 5 matches.
Nonetheless, may expertise on this specific fixture be key for County?
This might be their third Premiership play-off last in a row.
Again in 2023, they just about rose from the useless towards Thistle. The Glasgow aspect had been 3-0 up on mixture with solely 20 minutes of the second-leg nonetheless to play.
In one of many best comebacks ever seen in Scottish soccer, the Staggies regrouped to attain three targets earlier than delivering the knockout blow on penalties.
Final season was a much more snug affair for County as they thumped Raith Rovers 6-1 on mixture.
Nonetheless, that Rovers group appeared like a aspect that had run out of steam. The identical can’t be stated of Livingston.
About the Author
