Ross County forward Ronan Hale linked with move to England
Staggies main forward Hale is linked to four clubs in England as Ross County get set to host Partick Thistle in Friday's Championship showdown.
Several English clubs are reportedly lining up a January transfer move for Ross County striker Ronan Hale.
According to the Belfast Telegraph, Wigan, Salford, Gillingham and Stevenage are among the clubs keeping tabs on the former Cliftonville player.
After signing for Don Cowie in July 2024 from part-time NIFL Premiership side Cliftonville on a three-year contract, the forward scored 18 goals in his debut campaign in Scotland.
He has scored 12 goals this season in all competition as County have toiled for results.
International hopes on ice for Hale
Belfast-born Hale, who represented Republic of Ireland in his younger days, switched allegiances to Northern Ireland and has gained one cap for Michael O’Neill’s team, who have reached the World Cup qualifying play-offs, with Italy then Wales or Bosnia standing in their way.
Hale was left out of O’Neill’s squad for the qualifiers against Germany and Slovakia in October, with the return of experienced ex-Aberdeen, now Exeter City forward Josh Magennis nudging the County ace out of the picture.
The other strikers who got the call-up were Callum Marshall (West Ham United), Jamie Reid (Stevenage) and Dion Charles (Huddersfield Town).
O’Neill said at the time: “For Ronan, it’s a massive jump from the Scottish Championship to this level of football.
“We’ve had Ronan in since March. There was the protracted eligibility thing that took time.
“I was disappointed for him that he didn’t get a move in the summer. I certainly think that would have helped him.
“He knew that himself but, look, we continue to watch him.”
Hale is key figure for survival battle
With County having just appointed Stuart Kettlewell as Tony Docherty’s replacement as manager, keeping hold of Hale will be vital in their bid to remain in the Scottish Championship.
Stevenage and Wigan Athletic are seventh and 15th respectively in England’s League One, Salford City and Gillingham are fourth and 16th in League Two.
Under Docherty and interim manager John Robertson, Hale has been playing left of a three-man attack, with Jordan White in the middle and Jay Henderson on the right.
Hale’s last league goal came in a 3-3 league draw against Ayr United on November 8, with his latest goal coming in the 2-0 Scottish Cup victory at Highland League opponents Banks o’ Dee later that month.
County’s bid to close the five-point gap on Queen’s Park at the bottom of the Championship continues with Kettlewell’s delayed debut against second-top Partick Thistle on Friday at the Global Energy Stadium.
The snowy and icy weather caused postponements last Saturday away to Dunfermline Athletic in the league then away to St Johnstone in the Challenge Cup on Tuesday, with the latter caused by an A9 road closure.
[Source: Press and Journal]
