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Ross County will cover the Covid-19 testing costs for Highland rivals Elgin City and Brora Rangers when they play in the League Cup, chairman Roy MacGregor has confirmed.

While screening is not required for lower-league games, clubs must do so for cup matches against top-tier sides.

Elgin host County on 10 November, while Brora visit Hibernian on 7 October.

"I just felt they are our neighbours, part of our Highland way of life, and I should reach out to them," he said.

"We reached out to them and they were both very grateful for it. It is ironic that we play Elgin City, but it is still right that we do it."

"The challenges facing Ross County are the same as the challenges facing them, but we get television money that these clubs don't and we should try and share it at a time where we are all suffering."

MacGregor says County would have extended the offer to Inverness Caledonian Thistle, too, but they are in a section without a Premiership team.

He also confirmed that County had applied to have their top flight game with Aberdeen this weekend as test event with 650 fans.

However, all such pilots were put on hold by the Scottish Government on Tuesday.

Elgin City chairman Graham Tatters has thanked MacGregor for his "terrific gesture".

He added: "Roy has never forgotten where his team started and is a strong advocate of looking after the lower-league clubs and youth football."

Arbroath, Montrose and Stirling Albion are also in County's section, which starts on 6 October - 11 days before the lower leagues are scheduled to start.