Ross County co-manager Stuart Kettlewell is determined to capitalise on the opportunity to create a gap above today’s Championship opponents Dundee United.
County are second, three points adrift of leaders Ayr United, but can go seven points clear of the third-placed Tangerines by defeating them at Victoria Park today.
Kettlewell is wary of a confident United side, who are undefeated with three wins from four since Robbie Neilson took charge at Tannadice last month.
Kettlewell, who was named Ladbrokes Championship manager of the month for October along with fellow co-manager Steven Ferguson, said: “We have the chance to put significant distance between the sides, but the obvious flip-side is they’ll be thinking they can narrow the gap to one point.
“From our point of view, we’re simply looking up the way. It’s important we do that.
“That’s the sense of ambition we have in setting our goals. We know we are three points off the top spot just now.
“There’s no guarantee we’ll claw that back this weekend, but we need to make sure we’re still well in touch.
“As tough a task as that will be, that’s certainly our mindset.”
The Staggies have already recorded two victories over United under previous boss Csaba Laszlo this season, however Kettlewell added: “Robbie will be telling his players those defeats were under a previous regime.
“The players seem to have a belief in what he’s doing, certainly in the early stages of his tenure. We just put a blanket over that going into a fresh game.”