Ross County manager Derek Adams wants his players to go out on a high by beating Partick Thistle in their final game of the season at Firhill today.
Tuesday’s victory against Hibernian secured County’s place in the Premiership for another year and there is nothing but pride at stake this afternoon.
But that will not stop Adams from expecting a performance and a victory from his side against the Jags, who also secured their Premiership survival with victory at Hearts on Wednesday.
Adams said: “Two big clubs in Hibernian and Kilmarnock are fighting it out to stay in the league on Saturday so for a club like Ross County not to be involved in that is a great achievement.
“I’m glad Partick won at Hearts, too, as it would have made for a very difficult final game on Saturday given what could have been at stake for them. As it is, we can both go out and enjoy our last game of the season and I want to win the game and finish above them.
“Had they needed to get a result I would have had to have played my strongest team out of respect for the other teams. As it is, I won’t tinker with the team too much but I do have that option now.”
It has been a long gruelling season for the County manager but, with the mission accomplished, he is looking forward to the chance to recharge the batteries for the next campaign.
He said: “It is always tough mentally throughout any season. But we’ve had a lot of good moments and Tuesday night was one of them.”
Adams may be yearning for a few days on the golf course or a week or two on the beach but there is firstly much work to be done in putting together a squad for next season.
He added: “We haven’t started planning for next season yet. We’ve got to wait to speak to the board and see what is happening money-wise.
“I haven’t sat down and looked at it yet. I didn’t want to do anything until we were sure about where we would be.”
Captain Richard Brittain, who scored the goal which kept the club in the top flight on Saturday, is suspended today.
Kissing it goodbye, Page 61