A capacity crowd at Dingwall on Saturday will aid Ross County’s chances of claiming a third league win this season over Caley Thistle.
That’s the view of Staggies manager Derek Adams, who has enjoyed such a great run against Inverness this term.
The last Highland derby, on November 7, drew 5,506 supporters to Victoria Park and, after strong ticket sales this week, County expect a 6,000 sellout. Nearly 1,500 County supporters provided vocal encouragement at Easter Road last Saturday as the First Division club went close to causing a Scottish Cup quarter-final shock in a draw with Hibs.
Adams knows a large Staggies support will help his players as they face their most testing period of the season, with Caley Thistle, Hibs and First Division leaders Dundee all scheduled to travel north this month.
The County manager said: “It is looking like it will be a sellout on Saturday and a sellout against Hibs for our Scottish Cup replay on Tuesday as well. We can’t ask for anymore and it is credit to the players as they have made it happen. Ticket sales are going very well and it will benefit the players as they appreciate the support. If the supporters get behind us – as they did at Hibs and in the last derby at Victoria Park – then it will help us perform to the highest standard.
“We got a lift from our own supporters against Hibs and from the home fans booing their own players. It meant we were doing something right.”
County enter this weekend’s First Division derby in confident mood after proving more than a match for Hibs in the 2-2 cup draw.
Adams is eagerly anticipating their forthcoming fixtures. He added: “We have 11 days, starting on Saturday, to look forward to – two local derbies (Inverness home and away), a game against the league leaders and a cup replay against Hibs.
“We are very excited about it. They are all important games. We have no pressure on us. It is the major factor in our performances. We can go out and enjoy our football like we did against Hibs last Saturday.
“The manner of the performance, the way the players passed the ball, the way they got forward and supported each other was pleasing.
“It shows when a team has no pressure or anxiety about the performance, then it is beneficial.”