Scottish football as it happened

1. FT: Ross County 2-3 Dundee United
2. Ciftci (2) and Armstrong for United
3. Arquin and Maatsen for County
4. Liam Boyce shown straight red card for hosts
5. Win takes United above Inverness

Time for me to sign off folks after watching Dundee United take the three points in the Highlands in what was a cracking five-goal thriller.

Join us again tomorrow for all the action on a busy day of Scottish football.

Thanks and good night.

ROSS COUNTY MANAGER JIM MCINTYRE

"First half we got into great positions and passed up some good goalscoring opportunities so that was frustrating. United showed their quality and we need to show a bit more belief, and do things a bit quicker.

"We were trying to be clinical but the final ball let us down and good teams counter on you quickly.

"That's the last three weeks we've went behind but we've shown we have a bit about us. We need to keep trying to improve the quality in the final third.

"We'll keep working away, we're certainly doing a lot of things well but we need to start turning that into results."

SNS Group Craig Williamson

There's been a fair bit of debate on Sportsound about the red card for Liam Boyce, but referee Bobby Madden had no doubts and was quick to send the striker packing.

DUNDEE UNITED MANAGER JACKIE MCNAMARA

"It should have been more comfortable. Credit to them as they came back into it, even with 10 men, but we took our foot off the gas and stopped passing it as we should have.

"Disappointed with the way we finished but we have a few lads struggling with a stomach problem so I'm just glad to get it finished.

"I'm delighted for Nadir Ciftci, he's been frustrated of late with his goal tally but he was clinical tonight.

"That was a massive game for us and we had to win it. It's crying out for someone to do that [challenge Celtic] but we will need to be better than we were at times tonight."

"Credit to County, they kept plugging away and the twice they got a bit of quality they got goals."

So Dundee United leapfrog Inverness Caley Thistle to go second in the Premiership, while plucky Ross County remain at the foot of the Premiership table.

SNS

Inverness boss John Hughes took in tonight's match and now wonder he was smiling, what a night of entertainment in Dingwall.

FULL-TIME

It's all over and Ross County's late surge isn't enough to earn a point as Dundee United go second in the table after a clinical display of counter-attacking football. Great entertainment.

Last minute of stoppage time in Dingwall...

United almost get another on the break as Gary Mackay-Steven cuts in from the left and drives in a shot that Mark Brown does well to turn away.

County are piling forward looking for the leveller.

GOAL

Sub Darren Maatsen latches on to a through ball from Martin Woods and lashes a left-foot shot in off the underside of the bar.

Or maybe not...

The red card may well have ended County's hopes of getting back into this one.

We have five minutes left of the 90.

SUBSTITUTION

United's final change sees John Rankin on for Calum Butcher.

RED CARD (LIAM BOYCE)

Ross County substitute Liam Boyce is shown a straight red card for a studs-up challenge on Paul Paton.

GREAT SAVE!

It's that man Yoann Arquin again, racing beyond the back line and getting in on goal. He's having a personal battle with Radoslaw Cierzniak and this time the United keeper comes out on top with a fine save.

Arquin could have squared this match all on his own.

CLOSE!

The hosts almost haul themselves to within one goal of United as Yoann Arquin breaks away and takes the ball past keeper Radoslaw Cierzniak, but the striker gets the ball caught in his feet and the chance is gone.

This might not be over yet.

GOAL

Jamie Reckord delivers into the area and after initially taking a bad touch, Yoann Arquin smashes the ball home with his left foot.

DOUBLE TOPS

SNS

Turkish hitman Nadir Ciftci has bagged two goals in Dingwall for Dundee United.

SUBSTITUTION

County make their final change as Yoann Arquin replaces Jake Jervis.

SUBSTITUTIONS

Ryan Dow and Chris Erskine make way for United as Gary Mackay-Steven and Aidan Connolly are sent on by Jackie McNamara.

We have movement in the United dugout....

Then it's United's turn to press as Nadir Ciftci tries to claim his hat-trick but his shot from 25 yards is easily saved.

Ross County play some good stuff as they head towards goal but Martin Woods' left-foot effort from distance is comfortably held by Radoslaw Cierzniak.

Jim McIntyre's men are refusing to roll over here as Darren Maatsen bursts down the right and delivers, it's too close to the keeper though. Story of the night for County in the final third.

SUBSTITUTION

Darren Maatsen enters the fray for County in place of Joe Cardle.

SNS

Stuart Armstrong celebrates his goal with fellow scorer Nadir Ciftci.

GREAT SAVE!

The hosts threaten to get back into it as Liam Boyce and Jake Jervis link up to send Tony Dingwall through but his drive is saved by Radoslaw Cierzniak.

GOAL

It could be game over in Dingwall as they are cut open again. Chris Erskine's delightful pass from midfield is perfect for Nadir Cifcti and he curls home from the edge of the area for his second of the night.

SUBSTITUTION

Ross County make the first change of the night with Liam Boyce on for Steven Ross. Can he provide the cutting edge they have been lacking?

Another chance for the Staggies as Jake Jervis races down the right and plays the ball into the box but United goal hero Stuart Armstrong nips in to clear.

County's Tony Dingwall crashes a ball across goal that Jaroslaw Fojut blocks bravely and when it falls to Steven Ross he takes too long to get his shot away.

County prepare to make a change up top...

Ross County have enjoyed the bulk of possession tonight so far but Dundee United have been so clinical with the chances they have had. Jackie McNamara's men look like going second in the table unless the hosts sharpen up in the final third.

GOAL

And United take the wind out of the County sails again with a blistering counter. Nadir Ciftci and Calum Butcher link superbly to set up Stuart Armstrong and he calmly rounds Mark Brown before slotting home. Fabulous goal.

CLOSE!

And it's a fast start from the hosts as Mark Woods fires a dipping effort goalwards that Radoslaw Cierzniak does well to turn wide. The corner comes to nothing.

KICK-OFF

We're underway again in the Highlands...

Dundee Utd defender Mark Wilson on Sportsound

"This game definitely isn't over. I like the look of the County wide men. As a full back, Joe Cardle looks a nightmare to play against, he's on the left but is coming in on his right foot. You don't know which way he'll go."

GET INVOLVED

Derek: "Are there really two players on the park called "Ross" and "Dingwall"?..... :)"

Get yourself a cup of tea as we await the second half. It's been entertaining stuff in Dingwall so far.

HALF-TIME

Bobby Madden blows his whistle to bring the first half to a close.

County started well but United have shown their clinical side and they lead through Nadir Ciftci's goal.

We're into the final minute of the half and United have another free-kick on the left but it's floated straight into the arms of Mark Brown.

This time Paul Paton's corner comes to nothing but County are living dangerously and boss Jim McIntyre will be desperate to get them in at half time still just trailing by one goal.

United are stepping it up here...

CLOSE!

It's almost 2-0 from a United corner. Paul Paton delivers and Nadir Ciftci rises unopposed but his downward header is hacked off the line by Steven Ross.

The Staggies seemed a bit stunned by the United goal, having started the match better than their visitors.

Jim McIntyre's men appeare to have regrouped though and Tony Dingwall emphasises the point with a dig from distance that Radoslaw Cierzniak saves.

SNS

Dundee United are on top in Dingwall thanks to Nadir Ciftci, who finished off a great counter attack from the visitors.

GET INVOLVED

Finn and Romy: "Two kids here, aged 9 and 8, watching their first game ever on BBC updates. One former DUFC mascot. Glued to it so far. C'mon United!"

CLOSE!

United look certain to double their lead as Nadir Ciftci and Chris Erskine link brilliantly to set up Stuart Armstrong with a great chance, but from a few yards out his effort is well saved by Mark Brown.

YELLOW CARD

Dundee United's Calum Butcher is cautioned for a challenge on Jake Jervis. Looked a tad harsh.

A Ross County attack breaks down in the final third and United hit them with a sucker-punch. Stuart Armstrong races forward, plays it to Chris Erskine and his delivery should be cut out by Paul Quinn. The County defender misses it though and Nadir Ciftci rounds the goalkeeper and rolls the ball home.

GOAL

County have another chance to pressure the visitors from a free-kick out wide. Joe Cardle tries one from the training ground but it's a bit of a damp squib and he eventually bangs the ball well over.

The best chance of the match so far falls to the hosts. Joe Cardle does brilliantly on the left, delivering a great ball into the box that's perfect for Steven Ross 12 yards from goal. He gets it stuck under his feet though and eventually fires a tame effort straight at Radoslaw Cierzniak.

Dundee United then set off on a counter with Chris Erskine leading the charge. The midfielder just keeps on going and has a pop at goal that Mark Brown parries then collects at the second attempt.

Joe Cardle is taken out by United's Calum Butcher just outside the box and Martin Woods' free-kick is hit with plenty of power, but it's straight at keeper Radoslaw Cierzniak

United have a free-kick on the left of the County box. It's one from the training ground but Nadir Ciftci takes it before the referee is ready. The re-take is fired well over by the Turkish hitman.

Youngster Tony Dingwall has made a bright start for the Staggies, and he delivers a tantalising ball across the face of United's goal where he would have expected a striker to be lurking. No-one there though and the chance is gone.

The hosts are knocking the ball about with plenty of confidence in the opening minutes here...

County threaten to get in behind the visitors but Jake Jervis can't latch on to the long ball.

It looks like someone's been doing a roaring trade selling gloves in Dingwall today.

KICK-OFF

The action has started in Dingwall.

And there is also a minute's applause in tribute to late Ross County manager Sammy Wilson.

Before we get underway the sides are lining up for a picture to remember the 1914 World War One Christmas Truce match as part of the Football Remembers Week.

The teams are out on the pitch...

The man in black, in the non-Johnny Cash sense, is referee Bobby Madden and he'll be leading the sides out in a few minutes.

ROSS COUNTY MANAGER JIM MCINTYRE

And here's what Staggies boss Jim McIntyre had to say to Martin.

"Graham Carey's good lady went into labour this afternoon so he's missing.

"We've had quite a bit of the recent games and made chances to win matches, now we need to make sure we take them. There's been a lot of encouraging signs, albeit we haven't got the results.

"We need to make sure we're threatening the goal and getting at Dundee United.

"We're close to lifting ourselves off the foot of the table and that would be a huge shot in the arm in terms of confidence levels.

"United are a good side, very dangerous on the attack, so we have to be at our best defensively."

DUNDEE UNITED MANAGER JACKIE MCNAMARA

Our reporter Martin Dowden has grabbed a word with United manager Jackie McNamara.

"Everybody's given me a real problem with selections but it's a good problem to have. Tonight was a hard decision but we have a really strong bench as well, should we need to change it. It took me to the last minute to make the decisions.

"If you want to be successful you have to have a strong squad and we feel we have that at the moment.

"Tonight we need to make sure we get within a point of Celtic and ask questions of the teams playing tomorrow.

"It's going to be a hard match tonight, we have to match them physically. If we start well I'm confident we can win the match."

We're just about to hear from both of tonight's managers...

JOIN THE DEBATE

The good people of Sportsound have been discussing the merits of Friday night football on tonight's show and it doesn't look like a particularly big crowd in Dingwall.

Let us know what you think on text to 80295, on Twitter at #bbcscotfootball and on our Facebook page.

LINE-UPS

Ross County: Brown, Toshney, Quinn, Woods, Irvine, Dingwall, Ross, Jervis, Brittain, Cardle, Reckord. Subs: Reguero, Boyce, Boyd, Arquin, Maatsen, Dunfield, Saunders.

Dundee United: Cierzniak, Dillon, Souttar, Fojut, Townsend, Paton, Butcher, Armstrong, Ciftci, Erskine, Dow. Subs: Szromnik Watson Rankin Telfer Spittal Connolly, Mackay-Steven.

The line-ups for tonight are winging their way to me as we speak.

A GONG STORY

Dundee United were also boosted during the week as teenager Charlie Telfer was named the SPFL's young player of the month for November.

SNS

United are motoring along nicely and have won four out of their last five in all competitions, securing a spot in the semi-final of the League Cup and a Scottish Cup fifth round berth along the way.

As for current form, Ross County have suffered back-to-back 2-1 defeats away to St Johnstone in the league and Scottish Cup following an impressive 3-1 win at Kilmarnock.

County and United have met once this season when the Tangerines secured a 2-1 triumph at Tannadice back in August.

SNS

Chris Erskine was the hero for Jackie McNamara's men that day, netting the winner against the Staggies.

GET IN TOUCH

There's been plenty to talk about in Scottish football this week so get in touch with your thoughts.

Text us on 80295, tweet to #bbcscotfootball or get on the Facebook page to offer your opinion.

It's almost polar bear weather in the Highlands but a Friday night win would certainly warm the home fans, as the Staggies would move off the foot of the table for the first time in months.

There's plenty to play for as far as United are concerned as well, though. They would go second in the table with a victory.

Of course, both sides' Premiership rivals do not play until tomorrow.

Welcome to BBC Scotland's live text coverage of the Premiership match between Ross County and Dundee United in Dingwall.