Welcome back to Dingwall!

Fourteen games to go, and a pack of rabid Scots hunting us down. Let’s dig in.

Motherwell aren’t faring well in this save, finding themselves a lowly sixth in a division they’re not accustomed to. We sweep them aside with customary aplomb, with Abou notching a brace.

Keys to our midfield Stevens and Adams return from injury, but a late equaliser leaves us with just a point at mid-table Morton.

Next up we labour against lowly Clyde, maybe our aged stars are starting to feel the grind. Balfour takes a swing at Connelly on the hour, and our talisman recovers enough to slot the resultant penalty. Win’s a win.

The cups really aren’t the focus of this save, but it’s nice to test ourselves against Premier opposition.

It seems the population of Dingwall care more than I do however. A record 8,674 turn up to watch us summarily outclassed by the Tannadice Terriers. This hopefully bodes well for next season though, assuming we make it to the Prem.

We’re 2-1 down at half time home to St Mirren, and in a fit of pique I make a half time triple sub. Notman lasts 13mins before limping off leaving us a man short. Thankfully that man Connelly and Billy the Kid each brace to give us a quality victory.

A bit of an injury crisis sees Dicky Hart suit up for his third game of the season. He grabs a super-early winner, the 6,000 strong are then treated to 84mins of Arsenal-like defensive solidity. Post-match it’s less jolly. Notman is ruled out for 6 weeks, and Abou is missing for a few weeks. Time for backup, get your cheque book out Chairman Roy!

The kit man stocks up on Um Bongo as we welcome a mystery man (with good stats!) from the Congo. Roy is satisfied with only £5k spent, he’s still swimming in bar takings from the recent attendance boom.

We’re top, Hamilton are bottom. Within three minutes the tables have been turned. A derisory performance, one we can afford but it can’t become a habit.

Next up is one of those unique twists of fate this game still throws up after almost 30 years. Elliot has been way too good since joining last term, and he was always going to attract the big boys. Aberdeen and Everton come in for him, but before he can sign he slips a disc jumping for joy, and is out for 3 months. They hastily withdraw their offers, and I’m a CB light.

Does two defeats classify as a crisis? We completely outplay Dundee with 17 shots, but none of them find the target. It’s a second straight home defeat, and I’m getting nervous.

We’ve gone seriously goal shy. Airdrie’s keeper scores for us, but Brian ‘Nanny’ Mcphee spoils the party.

With 6 games to go the lead is down to just 4 points, we really don’t want to fall into the playoff spot!

Our main man Connelly has gone goal-shy, having scored only five since November. We start him on the bench, and our Congalese backup comes up trumps with a hattie! Connelly comes on to add a 4^th, and we’re walking on Ayr.

It’s all going on in midweek. We pinch CB backup Kirkwood from divisional rivals Raith for a stop-gap £60k. Billy the not-so-kid is injured again, so young Quinn joins on loan from Leeds. Gary Gillespie asks for a transfer despite making the team for only the second time this season in the win over Ayr. Festus Agu decides he wants to take his legal eagle mind to a bigger club. Just for good measure Notman returns after 6 weeks out. It’s an unsettled preparation for a huge trip to Motherwell.

Connelly settles the camp with an early goal, and Kirkwood shows his class in defense on debut. Big win!

With 4 games to go we have at least second wrapped up, and with Dundee drawing the gap is now 6 points. In less positive news the tiring Connelly dislocates his shoulder and he might just be done for the year. Congo boy – time to step up!

He does not. 41 year old Bannon limps off, leaving us exposed and quickly broken down. Eek, the gap is down to five as Dundee are goalless home to 9^th placed Clyde.

Clyde do us another favour by being crap, and we demolish them 5-1 despite Bannon being out for the season.

Dundee draw again and IT’S ALLLL OVVVVVEEERRRRR. A third straight promotion for the Rosses. That night the boys hit the town, N’Tsunda tries Irn Bru for the first time, and it all gets a bit weird. But they deserve it!

Abou has no chill and scores after mere seconds vs Raith. Carlisle and Hart celebrate with new contracts.

All 4 Rosses in the team for the last game, because why not. Hart gets the winner on Love Street. What a season!

Ayr pip Dundee to second after a big downturn in their form. I hope they win the playoff as it’s a weak team to contend with next season. There won’t be many!

Now to hope some of my golden oldies are up for the next challenge! Trevor Steven signs a three year deal, which he will hopefully see out!

Before we even get to the end of the campaign 40 year old Gillespie is gone into the world of management. Judging by our recent 5-1 demolition job, Clyde need his stability!

We only lose two other old dogs. Ross1 gone, Mcminn gone. IRL one went on to star at the Highland Games, the other lost a foot and became Derby’s kitman. The swings and arrows of outrageous fortune in the Highlands.

This means we retain key cogs Trevor Steven, a spritely 36, and 42 year old Eamonn Bannon. Can they do it in the Prem? Find out next time as we take our place amongst the big boys, and make them travel a long way to away games in Dingwall. Fun.

IRL in 1999/2000 Ross went up into Division One as part of a Scottish league restructure after finishing third, so they’re on our tails!

Up the Ross!