Ross County co-manager Stuart Kettlewell wants to recreate the buzz of 2012 in tonight’s top of the table Championship encounter with Dundee United.
County host second placed United in a vital Dingwall encounter, with the Staggies able to open up an eight-point gap at the top by triumphing over Robbie Neilson’s men, who they still have a game in hand over.
Former Staggies midfielder Kettlewell hopes his side can generate a similar excitement to that of Derek Adams’ team he was part of seven years ago, which secured promotion to the top-flight for the first time in the club’s history.
With County looking to take a huge step toward reclaiming their Premiership status at the first time of asking, Kettlewell said: “I don’t feel we have had as much credit for what we have done to this point in the season, with the challenges we have had.
“I’m going to keep saying that. I’m not asking for anybody to pat us on the back, or blow smoke up our backside and tell us how wonderful we are doing.
“Years ago when I was part of this situation, there was hysteria, hype and feel-good factor. We almost want to recreate that and create our own memory, and wee bit of history.
“Games like Inverness on Tuesday and this one against Dundee United – as things stand at our level they don’t come any bigger than that.
“I thought the fans were tremendous in Inverness on Tuesday, I thought they really got behind us at all stages of the game.
“There’s something special about nights in Dingwall under the floodlights.
“There’s an unbelievable energy. You’re shooting down to that Jail End and sometimes you feel there is a slight advantage.
“I think our supporters have been brilliant for us all season, and I would encourage it to be that electric atmosphere.”
Neilson has described the match as a must-win for United, however Kettlewell says his side will be no less determined to secure the victory.
Kettlewell, who has doubts over Ross Draper (knee) and Michael Gardyne (ankle), said: “From our point of view, it’s a brilliant opportunity for us.
“Dundee United are speaking about it as a must-win for them, so there is that element of pressure, but there’s an element of pressure on us to try and succeed in what we want to do.
“I’m expecting a tough opposition – a Dundee United team that will probably come and get at our throats.
“They need to realise our intention is to do the same, I think it’s set up really well for us. The talking is pretty much done – let’s go and play in the game.”
