Hartley strikes it rich as Rory shows there’s plenty
Ross County
scored a peach and was a menace with his pace and movement. kept control as things got tasty. Waved away a late penalty shout. 6/10
But gaffer Mark McGhee is just praying they can keep hold of him after Johnson produced a Thierry Henry-like finish for his goal.
The Fir Park winger added to Lionel Ainsworth’s opener to give McGhee’s troops a deserved win at Rugby Park.
Johnson has been the subject of three bids from Oxford but Well chiefs have kicked them all out as they look to hang on to their prized asset.
The attacker gave another indication of his worth with a fourth goal in as many games to ensure three points went back up the M77 to Lanarkshire on day one.
McGhee said: “Marvin’s goal could have been Thierry Henry or Les Ferdinand. It was a great cross but he produced a centre-forward’s header. Kris Boyd would have been proud of that.
“He’s scoring in every game as well as everything else he does. Everyone knows what I think of him and I just hope we can hang on to him.
“We have an idea of what we value him at and we don’t necessarily Rory Loy destroyed Ross County with a first-half double and eased Dundee’s Kane Hemmings blues.
But manager Paul Hartley still fears losing another star striker in Greg Stewart next week.
With Hemmings sold to Oxford and Stewart out injured, Loy filled the void superbly in Dingwall.
He netted twice and also helped to set up Dundee’s third for Paul McGowan with a fine long pass in the second half.
But it was the overall strength of performance that had the Dark Blues’ faithful singing in the rain.
And Hartley believes the fans may have to get used to watching a side without Hemmings and Stewart every week.
Birmingham have already failed in a couple of bids for Stewart and Hartley said: “Greg got injured late on Thursday. We’d expect him to be back Monday or Tuesday – hopefully.
“There are no new bids. Do we expect them? Possibly. We’ve rejected a couple of offers and we’ll just have to wait and see.
“I wouldn’t like to put a figure on it. For me, he’s priceless and I want hype him just because he scores another goal.”
Johnson’s strike turned out to be the winner, although McGhee’s men should have won more comfortably.
They were in front at the interval and deserved it. Lee Clark’s day started badly when fourth official Gavin Ross signalled for referee Craig Thomson to send him to the stand for to keep him here. Will they come back in? I don’t know.
“We’re also working to bring a centre half in, maybe for next week.”
Loy’s display capped a fine team effort and Hartley was particularly pleased with his defence.
He said: “This is a venue we’ve struggled at but our discipline was terrific. Defensively, as a team we were great – a solid unit.”
It was another bad result for County, hot on the heels of their exit swearing and the mood of the Killie boss wasn’t improved as McGhee’s men carved out chances.
Scott McDonald f luffed a volley wide and Johnson had a couple of efforts – one from a free-kick that narrowly missed the target.
But five minutes from the interval Ainsworth got it right when he raced clear of the home defence and his chip over keeper Jamie MacDonald and into the net was exquisite.
Johnson almost doubled the lead before the break but his shot was saved by the legs of the Killie No.1.
However, he didn’t have long to wait as he made it 2- 0 just 28 seconds into the second half.
Chris Cadden found space down the right and his delivery was superb.
Johnson provided the headed finish the cross deserved as he angled an effort beyond MacDonald.
There may have been 44 minutes still to go but the game looked safe.
Ainsworth and Johnson could both have added to their accounts and their failure to do so resulted in an anxious f inal nine from the League Cup – a competition they won last season.
Craig Curran’s goal from the bench wasn’t enough to spark a recovery despite heavy pressure from the Staggies later in the match.
Yet Jim McIntyre’s men were first to threaten after nine minutes, with Jay McEveley finding Brian Graham in the box, only for the striker to get the ball stuck between his feet.
Four minutes later, Dundee were ahead. Danny Williams played in Mark O’Hara who clipped the ball across under pressure and found Loy who stabbed home the opener.
Loy, who was at his most dangerous combining with O’Hara,