Ross County forward Billy Mckay insists his side will still have it all to do in the Championship title race if they reclaim top spot by beating leaders Ayr United today.
County are a point adrift of Ayr but make the trip to Somerset Park knowing a victory would see them leapfrog the Honest Men, who have a game in hand.
Ian McCall’s side have performed superbly in their first season since winning promotion from League 1, although County won the only previous encounter between the sides 2-1 at Victoria Park in October.
Mckay expects Ayr to be part of the title race until the wire regardless of today’s outcome, and he said: “I’ve heard a lot of people outwith this club saying they think Ayr will tail off at some point, but they’re showing, I think, they will be in it for the long haul.
“For us to put a marker down and beat them twice would be great. But even if we do, there’s a long way to go and we will be taking nothing for granted.
“We will keep going in every game until the end of the season.”
Ayr’s success has been largely helped by 26-goal forward Lawrence Shankland, however fellow attacker Mckay reckons his team-mates have had a big part to play, adding: “Most strikers are only as good as the service they get. I’m sure Lawrence would tell you himself, the players around him are doing most of the work and laying chances on a plate for him.
“The fact is he is the one finishing them off and he is having a great season.
“We’re going to have to be right at it on Saturday to stop him, but I’m sure we can do that with the players we have in defence.
“I’m sure if we play as a team, we’ll get the win.”
County spurned the chance to go into today’s game as league leaders in last weekend’s 1-1 home draw against Queen of the South, and former Caley Thistle striker Mckay feels his side must regain their stride.
He added: “We had the chance to go top of the table last week and didn’t take it. We know the importance of this game.
“Obviously, if they win they go four points clear of us with a game in hand, so it is an important game. We want to make sure we go down there and secure a good result and be where we want to be.
“It is all about ourselves. We haven’t been at our best recently and I think it is all about us getting back to our best. If we do that, I’m sure we can get the win.”
