ALMONDVALE, Scotland – Tonight, Livingston go face Ross County for the first leg of the Scottish Premiership play-off final with both teams vying for a spot in the top-flight league.
Kick-off for this hotly anticipated match is set for 20:00 BST at the Tony Macaroni Arena, as Livingston look to rebound from last year’s relegation while Ross County aim to maintain their place in the Premiership.
The stakes are high for both sides. Livingston, who were Championship runners-up, are riding on the wave of confidence after a solid 4-0 aggregate semi-final win over Partick Thistle. Meanwhile, Ross County is struggling, having gone nine games without a win, finishing second-bottom in the Premiership this past season.
“At this moment in time, I’ve got to say Livingston,” Cammy Bell, former Rangers goalkeeper, told BBC Sport. “Livingston are winning games. They are used to winning this season. Ross County have gone nine games without a win. That’s a long period of time.”
The recent form of both teams paints a clear picture: Livingston enters the final with strong momentum, while County faces the daunting challenge of recovering from a dismal spell of seven defeats and two draws.
History also looms large over this encounter; in the past ten Premiership play-off finals, only three Championship teams have been successful in securing promotion. However, Livingston has tasted success as one of those clubs, earning their place in the top flight back in 2018.
Ross County’s ambition hinges on extending their six-year top-flight status, but it remains to be seen whether they can overcome their recent slump. Livingston’s squad boasts seasoned players like Ryan McGowan and Stevie May, who have proven their worth in high-pressure situations.
“Livingston have a clear identity,” stated Cammy Kerr, a defender for Queen's Park. “They go at teams, they have been a lot more attacking this season in the Championship. For me, it is a mentality thing. Livingston are on the up.”
Despite their struggles, Ross County maintains hope through striker Ronan Hale, who has netted 16 goals this season. However, the team has not kept a clean sheet since early March, a worrying stat heading into a crucial tie.
Recent encounters between the two clubs favor Livingston; they triumphed in their last meeting, a Scottish Cup match in January, with a 3-2 scoreline. This fixture will set the tone for their potential revival or further decline.
As anticipation builds for the clash, county fans hope for a miracle to resurrect their fortunes while Livingston fans flock to support their side’s quest to reclaim their rightful place in the Premiership.
Tomorrow’s second leg in Dingwall promises to be equally gripping, possibly determining the fate of either team’s seasonal aspirations.
