Ross County midfielder Iain Vigurs reckons Caley Thistle attacker Adam Rooney will be the biggest threat to the Staggies’ hopes of winning today’s First Division Highland derby at Dingwall.
Aberdeen-born Vigurs was one of seven players released by Inverness in the summer, but still keeps in touch with many of the players at Caledonian Stadium.
Irish forward Rooney has scored four goals for the Caley Jags in their last two games and Vigurs has singled out the attacker as the main dangerman in the countdown to today’s game at Victoria Park.
Vigurs said: “There are quite a few players I played alongside at Caley Thistle still there – such as Grant Munro, Ross Tokely, Richie Foran and Adam Rooney.
“I was speaking to Adam the other day and he was boasting about his hat-trick against Morton last week.
“He is getting a run in the team and I always thought he was one of the best finishers at the club. I think he has proved it with the goals he has scored. I still speak to him, but I hope I am on the winning side. To pick up three points would be massive for us.”
Vigurs scored in County’s 3-1 win when the teams met in Inverness in August but lost his starting place to Martin Scott until last weekend’s defeat at Queen of the South. After a dispiriting spell in the Highland capital, Vigurs aims to stake his claim for an extended run in the Victoria Park first team.
He added: “I am out to prove to my manager that I can play week-in, week-out for County. I don’t think I have anything to prove to Terry Butcher and Inverness.
“You have to play in the present. You can’t do anything to change what has happened.
“We have had one defeat in our last five games – which shows we are not playing too badly. We are not in a slump, but recent form does not count for anything when it comes to a derby.
“Caley Thistle are going through a good spell and have scored a lot of goals in their last two games.
“We will have to be at our best to get the better of them this time.”