Ross County midfielder Rocco Quinn is relieved the Staggies’ fate remains in their own hands despite Saturday’s 2-1 loss against Partick Thistle.
County’s nine-match unbeaten run came to a halt at Victoria Park, with the below-par Staggies failing to capitalise on Michael Gardyne’s opener, falling to defeat after goals from Frederic Frans and Stephen O’Donnell.
The result meant County missed the opportunity to move nine points clear of second-bottom Motherwell who occupy the relegation play-off spot.
County travel to Motherwell on Saturday and Quinn said: “It’s all about how we respond. It was a great run and the players have done fantastically well, so we just need to pick ourselves up.
“I just don’t think we were at it. From the first whistle, we looked a bit leggy. We weren’t showing the same intensity we had been in the past few weeks. Ultimately, it cost us.
“It was a disappointing way to end the run, very much so. We’d have loved to keep it going, but unfortunately it has ended now.
“It is all in our own hands and that’s the way we wanted it coming into the split. We had five cup finals before the Partick game and it’s four cup finals.
“We just need to keep going and doing what we’ve been doing and, hopefully, we will get the results.”
Quinn’s appearance as a 57th minute substitute for Craig Curran was the former Hamilton, Kilmarnock and Celtic midfielder’s first outing since suffering a hip injury in a 1-1 draw against Caley Thistle in October.
The 28-year-old was glad to return and although his contract is up at the end of the season Quinn said his focus is ensuring the Staggies retain their top-flight status for a fourth consecutive season.
Quinn added: “It has been a long, hard road back for myself and it was great to get back out there. It is just unfortunate the result put a shadow over it.
“It has been difficult watching games, as I found myself being a supporter, going through all the emotions.
“But I’ve been immensely proud of the players. The manager, the assistant Billy Dodds and all the staff have done an unbelievable job, everybody would agree with that.
“And it has been a privilege to be able to watch. Unfortunately, we’ve suffered a setback but we go again next week.
“We’ll wait and see on my future. That’s at the back of my mind. There’s only one thing that matters right now and that’s staying in this division.
“The good thing is we are focused on that, so we’ll leave contracts to the end of the season once we know where we stand.”