Ross County found a timely hero on a cold night in Dingwall as Uche Ikpeazu announced himself in unforgettable fashion, firing the Staggies to a vital 1-0 victory over Queen’s Park in the Scottish Championship.
Only days removed from a late-window move from St Johnstone, the Ugandan international was thrust straight into the starting XI by Stuart Kettlewell.
Ikpeazu’s raw power and relentless running gave Queen’s Park’s defence a torrid evening, and one decisive moment of brute strength and composure proved enough to separate the sides.
Here he is! 😍
The match-winning debutant, Uche Ikpeazu! #staggies pic.twitter.com/e0RFe2q0S0
— Ross County FC (@RossCounty) February 3, 2026
The 29-year-old, signed to plug the gap left by Ronan Hale’s departure to Gillingham, delivered exactly the profile Ross County had been craving. He led the line with authority, muscled his way through stubborn resistance, and struck the game’s only goal to secure three points that could loom large in the relegation fight.
It was a debut that underlined the club’s urgency in moving late to land a seasoned frontman. Ikpeazu’s CV, shaped by stints at Hearts and St Johnstone north of the border, alongside Championship experience with Middlesbrough and Cardiff City, showed in his assured display, blending know-how with physical dominance.
Beyond the feel-good story of a dream introduction, the result reshaped the picture at the bottom of the table. County hauled themselves out of the relegation places, climbing from 10th to eighth with 15 points from 16 matches and easing the sting of last weekend’s loss to Morton. Queen’s Park, meanwhile, slipped to ninth on 13 points, their own survival worries growing heavier with every dropped point.
🤳 The big man! 🇺🇬 pic.twitter.com/aQoWUfx1iG
— Ross County FC (@RossCounty) February 3, 2026
Kettlewell had hailed Ikpeazu’s physical presence, hunger and attitude upon his arrival, and the striker repaid that praise in the perfect way, with a match-winning contribution on night one in County colours.
