Scottish League One PREVIEW 29 Aug 2026: Ross County short of four starters, and Airdrieonians still waiting

Ross County against East Kilbride is the late one, 17:30 BST and live on BBC ALBA, and Stuart Kettlewell goes into it waiting on four players: Ross Docherty with a calf problem, Adam Forrester with a back injury, and Dylan Smith and Jack Turner with knee injuries. "We have four guys who would be starting in our team every week," he said. County beat Airdrieonians 3-1 last weekend with Docherty a late withdrawal beforehand. East Kilbride arrive on the back of consecutive promotions, and Kettlewell was generous about them: "They have been on a journey entertaining and scoring lots of goals." With the transfer deadline the following Thursday he expects "one or two tweaks either way" and no more.

Airdrieonians host East Fife at 15:00 still looking for a first league win after three straight defeats, and in the last of three consecutive home matches. They were beaten 3-1 by Stirling Albion in the KDM Evolution Trophy on Tuesday, after which John Rankin was direct: "We'll need to be far more improved than what we were tonight. It's a chance for the players to respond very quickly." He knows what is coming — "it's an experienced side coming here, doing all the dirty side of the game really well and wanting to win the battle" — and welcomes Callum Burnside back after he was cup-tied, with Ruairidh Adams, Mason Chisholm, Gavin Gallagher, Cole McKinnon, Zac Butterworth and Dapo Mebude all being monitored.

Montrose against Queen of the South is the fixture with the most direct statement of intent attached to it. Nicky Clark did not dress it up: "This is a massive game for us as we know it hasn't been good enough in the league. We need to start picking up points." Queens have signed the defender Shaun Want from Ayr United on a one-year deal and beat Hibernian B in the KDM Trophy in midweek through Brodie Dair. Montrose beat East Kilbride 3-0 last weekend, though three of their four matches this season have been defeats.

The other two at 15:00 are quieter. Alloa Athletic host Peterhead having won their last two league matches, 2-0 at Queen of the South and 3-0 at home to Montrose, and have sent the midfielder Steven Buchanan to Annan Athletic on loan until January — Andy Graham said the pair had "positive discussions" and agreed game time would be better for his development. Hamilton Academical meet Cove Rangers three days after losing 1-0 to Edinburgh City in the KDM Evolution Trophy, and having loaned the defender Marcus Syme to Forfar Athletic for the season; Cove arrive from beating Peterhead 3-0.