Ross County reserve coach Richard Brittain has urged the youngsters in his side to make the most of their opportunity to claim silverware from this weekend’s North of Scotland Cup final against Caley Thistle.
The Staggies will take on rivals Inverness in a Highland derby final at Grant Street Park on Sunday, with the match kicking off at 3pm.
County have fielded a mixture of youth and experience in the tournament so far, with victories over Invergordon and Brora Rangers on their way to the final.
Brittain insists there will be no lack of determination from the Dingwall players to secure winner’s medals in the competition which the Staggies last won courtesy of a 3-0 victory over Nairn County in 2006.
Brittain said: “As a professional football player you want to play in cup finals, so we are grateful to get here.
“You can never get tired of winning silverware. I’ve told the guys that when they finish their careers, it’s always good to look back and see what you have won.
“It might be the North of Scotland Cup, and it may be talked down by a lot of people, but nobody on this side of the bridge will be talking it down.
“It’s one to look forward to. Not many of them have sampled a Highland derby, and playing for silverware at the end of it has added that extra bit of spice.”
Caley Thistle will have other ideas, having defeated Fort William 16-0 prior to victories against Lossiemouth and Forres Mechanics to reach this stage.
Given Inverness’ absence of a reserve team, Caley Jags have taken the opportunity to field a number of their first team fringe players along with youth players in their matches so far.
Coach Barry Wilson feels the competition has presented some of the club’s young players with the ideal platform to impress manager John Robertson, with a view to forcing their way into contention for a first team slot.
Wilson said: “It’s no secret we are not a cash-rich club. Eventually we are going to have to bring players through.
“We are in a fortunate position where the coaches throughout the years have brought this team through and they have come through together.
“Myself and Ryan Esson are reaping the rewards of it at under-18 level, but hopefully the end game is the first team reap the rewards.
“Daniel MacKay has broken through, Jack Brown, Ryan Fyffe and Cameron Harper have been on the bench.
“They are not far away. I genuinely feel the manager wouldn’t have any qualms about putting them in if needbe, because I don’t think they would let anyone down. They are a joy to work with.”
