Sports Reporter with the Press & Journal, covering the Highlands and Islands. You’ll find me on a hill, golf course, football ground or pub. All views mine.
Beyond devastated to lose my Dad yesterday. Such a talented man who has given me so much inspiration in life. He was great company for all who knew him, but above all he was the most wonderful father and my best pal. I will miss you dearly Duncan - but I will do you proud.
So chuffed to have been awarded Highlands and Islands sports reporter of the year last night. Those of you that knew me five years ago will remember how happy I was just getting a job…
Horrendous to read this. Spoke to Regan after the game, presumably before this became apparent to him, and he was in such high spirits after his team’s efforts. Hope those responsible are hammered.
We are disappointed that our player Regan Charles-Cook has been subjected to racist abuse online following today’s match.
We will give Regan all of our support and will work with the Police & relevant parties to ensure these messages are properly dealt with.
#WeStandWithRegan
Among everything my dad achieved in his professional life, what was created by the team at
@AFCCT
gave him more pride and satisfaction than anything else. He'll be up there taking delight in how it's been carried forward - the 10-year milestone is testament to that. 👏
We will wear a special shirt this afternoon to celebrate 10 years of
@AFCCT
.
The commemorative logo will take centre stage thanks to
@TEXO_UK
who have generously donated their front of shirt sponsor for this match 🤝
Most embarrassing part of last night’s madness was Ange inferring Celtic fans deserved a moment like that for the ‘long’ journey they’ll likely make once this season. County fans have three 5+ hour round trips over the next (Xmas!) week…
Even now I’ve slept on this, I still can’t understand it. There’s an opportunity staring Caley Thistle in the face to rediscover the roots which made them so successful when last playing at this level, and ultimately carried them far beyond it. This can’t be the answer.
A hugely significant development for Caley Thistle -consultant Alan Savage confirms the club have wiped out historic loans - totalling more than £3 million - owed to a number of key stakeholders.
So thrilled for Ross County, such a wonderful club to cover. Can’t downplay just how much bouncing back at first attempt means to everyone there. Staggies will be a great addition to the top-flight - so important the Highlands is represented among the elite.
Covering Cove Rangers got my sports reporting career up and running 10 years ago - fond memories of the wooden press box at Allan Park! Delighted to see the club step up to SPFL where I hope they thrive.
@CoveRangersFC
GOAL (90+4) - Brechin City 3-4 Fraserburgh. Broch look to have won this - with Aitken's header deflected into his own net by Davidson. Huge drama here.
@PandJSport
Had the same press situation last weekend, forcing me to cover Ross County’s moment of glory from my living room. Game being on telly bailed me/fans out but appears the Saints aren’t as fortunate. Miles short of being good enough from
@CelticFC
No coverage for away fans. No press passes given to Perth-based media. Celtic FC really covering themselves in glory at the moment. A club like no other...
Devastated to hear the news about Neale Cooper, so sad. I’m one of many fans too young to remember him play, but still felt that connection with him due to his bubbly, charismatic and downright generous personality. RIP Tattie.
"There's no denying, we've got too many players."
"Our squad is very, very bloated."
Brendan Rodgers believes the size of Celtic's squad could be detrimental.
📺 BT Sport 1 HD & 4K UHD
Had to laugh when leaving Victoria Park with
@AllPtsNorth
yesterday. We observed that the first thing Rooney would have seen after completing his walk down the tunnel was a picture of Graham celebrating his 4 goals v Raith earlier this season. Awkward!
GOAL (90 + 6) Ross County 3-3 Rangers. Sensational finish to this game. Young substitute Matthew Wright turns the ball home after the ball falls to him following a Hungbo corner. What a game!
@PandJSport
Ryan Fraser looking pretty sharp on MOTD. Delighted to see such a comeback, must have been a real torture for him being so badly injured at a time when the national time was thriving.
Delighted to see Ross County nip that dreadful run in the bud so emphatically. It’s not been enjoyable to watch these last few weeks but really hope they can kick on now. They’ve got a squad more than capable of doing so.
#Staggies
GOAL (90+7) - Brechin City 3-5 Fraserburgh. Another one for the Broch, with Barbour netting a second penalty after Davidson had brought him down, for which he was sent off.
@PandJSport
FT Fort William 0-16 Caley Thistle. MacKay, Oakley, Kennedy (x2), Morrison, Brown, Gunn, Wilson & Trafford free kick sets up quarter final away to Lossiemouth on August 22.
Enjoyed catching up with Steven McGarry for the first of a new 'cult heroes' series. McGarry is now head coach of Sorrento FC in Australia, and spoke about his record-breaking title success Down Under, as well as reflecting on his time with the Staggies.
For an all-weather pitch to fail to resist two different types of weather is just embarrassing. Really feel for the Dons making two wasted journeys to Livingston.
Steven Ferguson expresses how much Ross County appreciate the efforts made by Staggies supporters, who are ready to head to Pittodrie in numbers this weekend.
@rosscountysc
@thecountycorner
@staggiesview
Pleased to see Ross Stewart finally up and running for Sunderland, and off to the dream start with a debut goal. A player with big potential to develop at a massive club.
Scott Allardice outlines his personal aims for the new campaign, in his first interview since returning from a knee injury which kept him sidelined for five months last season.
The biggest risk we have is people like this using a tragic situation of which little background info is known to fuel their xenophobic agenda. Utter scumbag.
Horrible tragedy in a Glasgow Hotel housing illegal immigrants.
All over the UK, hotels are filling up with young men who are coming across the Channel every day.
It is a massive risk to our wellbeing — yet the government does nothing.
FT: FC Utrecht 2-0 Ross County. Second-half goals from van der Maarel and van de Streek were the difference, with County once again tested by strong opposition. Nice to see co-managers taking time to speak with travelling Staggies.
1⃣7⃣ |
@Joshuamullin7
is having the season of his life at Ross County - here's his six league goals in one handy clip! The two strikes against Ayr United are particularly glorious -
Seems to be an issue with the goal frame here at Livingston, the crossbar looks to be damaged. David Martindale involved in the repair work going on.
@PandJSport
Thoroughly enjoyed my
@thecountycorner
debut! Thanks to Ross and Steven for having me on - we were certainly not short of discussion topics this of all weeks…
Episode 3️⃣3️⃣ of The County Corner Podcast is out now!🎧
Ross, Steven and special guest
@andydskinner
discussed;
💥 Derek’s post match comments
🤯 The reaction across Scottish football
🤔 How will the players react?
📰 Andy’s ten years reporting on County
Ross County teamsheet for tonight’s friendly against Groningen. No Simon Power in squad, his clearance has not come through in time for him to play.
#staggies
Really impressed with Elgin City tonight. Frustrating the game was settled on two errors but otherwise some very fluent play and goal threat which bodes well for the League 2 campaign.
Don Cowie believes Eamonn Brophy can reap the benefits of his first full pre-season in several years.
Also - confirmation that Jordon Garrick will not be joining the Staggies permanently.
Fully recharged after a couple of great weeks on holiday. All set for the long trip to Kazakhstan with Scotland tomorrow, before a thrilling end to the football and rugby seasons awaits back in the Highlands.
Just the ultimate gentleman. He worked closely with my dad and I feel very blessed to have spent a bit of time in Craig’s company - I’ve no idea where he found said time given how many people say the same. Huge loss to the game.
Everyone at Aberdeen FC is heartbroken by the loss of our beloved former manager, director and club ambassador, Craig Brown.
A dear friend to us all, Craig will be sorely missed and our love and condolences are with his family at this terribly sad time.
"Fortunately I’ve hit the ground running and scored four goals."
Ronan Hale is determined to kick on after making an impressive start to his Ross County career.
Iain Vigurs possibly setting a new record for the earliest yellow card of season, booked after seven seconds for a lunge on Mallan. Instantly brings back memories of Tattie Cooper's legendary tale about Charlie Nicholas.
Twitter can be some place. This sensitive soul took so much issue with my views on the shoddy behaviour of United’s fans he decided to tweet an MP (who serves a consistency nowhere near me) about it…
Jim McIntyre inherits Dundee in a very similar position to where Ross County were four years ago. He very quickly put his own stamp on the squad and turned it around spectacularly that season.
Incredible - not even been here 24 hours and they’ve only gone and changed the name of the city! The Scottish press pack arrived in Astana, but will be leaving Nursultan - surely a first!…
GOAL (17) - Alloa Athletic 0-1 Ross County. Good work from Olaigbe to carve out a cross from the left, which picked out the head of Sims to nod home.
@PandJSport
Jordon Garrick showed up very well against Brora before going off injured towards the end of the first half. Clearly has pace to burn. Will be interesting to see whether there’s a deal for him with the Staggies.
Kieran Tierney is out of tomorrow’s EURO 2020 qualifier against Kazakhstan, but could be OK to face San Marino. Given likely absence of Andy Robertson, an opportunity for Graeme Shinnie?
#scotland
#euro2020
HT: Brora Rangers 1-3 Caley Thistle. Cattachs took lead through Kyle MacLeod, but new signing Sean Welsh x 2 and Jamie McCart have put Inverness in front.
FT Fort William 1-0 Clachnacuddin. Brown's goal early in the second half ends Fort's wait for a first league victory since they defeated Strathspey Thistle in April 2017.
#HighlandLeague
@PandJSport
GOAL (28) - Kelty Hearts 0-1 Brora Rangers (2-1 agg). Game on as Brora strike first at New Central Park, with Morrison drilling low past Jamieson after being played in by Wagenaar.
@PandJSport
This is a disgrace. For a start, there’s nothing else on BBC Scotland when the briefings are held. Would love to hear more about the “editorial merit” in showing a loop of old TV clips instead of vital daily information about a pandemic.
A few thoughts on where Don Cowie may be looking to strengthen Ross County’s squad this summer.
Staggies fans, where would you like to see recruitment focused?
@thecountycorner
@staggiesview
Boyd was just as provocative to the Dons fans as Lennon was to the Jambos. Never a hint of a coin being thrown, and that’s how it should have been at Tynecastle too. As annoying as a bit of goading can be, it doesn’t excuse that sort of behaviour.
A very dangerous precedent being set by the use of VAR for penalties at this World Cup. Heartbroken for the team going out in that manner.
#scotland
#wwc
Clearly feel much sympathy for Kelty after last night’s call-off. But worth remembering a number of Elgin’s south-based players would have been on that A9 too. Whether home/away, incredible travel commitment from club’s players and staff often goes unnoticed.