Ross County manager Jim McIntyre says his Staggies will still have work to do to clinch a top-six place, even if they win today’s Highland derby against Caley Thistle.
County are in fourth place but have clubs close in their pursuit, with a four-point gap separating the Dingwall men from seventh-placed Dundee.
Today’s game is the first of three matches before the split and, while McIntyre says a victory would be significant, he does not believe it will finish off the job.
He said: “Three points would be huge in terms of our aspirations of making it. It would lessen the pressure in the last two games but will three points be enough? No. Further points will be required.”
County take on an out-of-form Inverness side this afternoon, with John Hughes’ players failing to win any of their last seven matches, but McIntyre reckons a derby will be their perfect chance to get back on track, with Caley Jags having won both league encounters between the sides this season.
McIntyre added: “If we play to our best we have a great chance of winning but they have a lot of spirit in their camp – I have watched them several times this year.
“I was at their game against Hibs and I saw them at St Johnstone. They have too much experience in their dressing-room to let the Hibs defeat affect them and in some ways we know this is the perfect game. When there is the disappointment of being put out the cup, as a player, this is what you want up next.
“There is no motivation needed from the manager. They will be up for it as we will be.”
One of County’s key men this afternoon could be midfielder Michael Gardyne, who followed up his goalscoring performance in last Sunday’s League Cup final win against Hibernian with an influential display in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw against St Johnstone, and McIntyre hailed the stamina of the former Dundee United player.
McIntyre said: “It was incredible. He got stronger and stronger the more the game went on. Going on from Sunday I could see he was still buzzing. He was magnificent.”
