It’s officially squeaky bum time in Dingwall as Ross County stare down the barrel of a relegation play-off.
With just three matches remaining, the Staggies sit second from bottom in the Scottish Premiership table, and unless they can pull off a minor miracle, they’ll be scrapping for survival against Livingston.
It’s been a bruising few weeks for County fans, watching their side lose five league matches on the bounce at the worst possible time.
Hearts, Kilmarnock, St Mirren, Aberdeen and Dundee United have all taken maximum points off Don Cowie’s men, leaving morale as battered as the back four.
Ross County’s tally of 35 points from 35 games paints a bleak picture, and the road ahead isn’t much kinder.
They travel to Perth next to face bottom side St Johnstone, who will be scrapping like mad to pull County into the relegation basement with them.
That’s followed by another away trip to Dundee, before finishing the season at home to a Motherwell side also not safe yet.
In short, there are no easy points left to play for.
And if County fail to leapfrog into safety, they’ll enter a tense two-legged play-off against a Livingston side who’ve been playing like a team reborn.
Livi, who finished second in the Championship, have had an impressive run-in and would love nothing more than to replace County in the top flight.
The recent history between the two clubs isn’t on County’s side either.
In 34 meetings, Ross County have only won eight times, with Livingston taking the honours on fifteen occasions.
That includes a gutting Scottish Cup defeat in January, where County fell 3–2 at home after leading the tie.
Livingston are fast, physical, and right now – full of confidence.
County, on the other hand, look nervy and a touch lost.
But football, as we all know, is nothing if not unpredictable.
A single win can change the whole picture.
A moment of inspiration, a lucky deflection, a red card at the right time – it doesn’t take much to turn a wobble into a run.
What’s needed now is belief, bottle, and a bit of bravery.
Don Cowie has done an admirable job keeping the dressing room focused, but the time for talking is over.
This final stretch is where reputations are made and dreams are broken.
The fans will be there, rain or shine, voices hoarse, scarves high, singing till the final whistle.
They know their club is worth fighting for.
And they’ll be hoping the players feel the same.
So whether it’s a last-gasp winner or a gritty draw in Perth, Ross County have to find something.
Because in a few short weeks, their Premiership status will either be confirmed — or gone.
And that’s the kind of prospect that gives every fan that unmistakable squeaky bum feeling.
