Ross County midfielder Michael Gardyne believes the Staggies must win at least three of their remaining six games if they are to secure their place in the top six of the Premiership.
County are four points clear of seventh-placed Caley Thistle, who have two games in hand on their Highland rivals, and the race for a top-six berth is set for a frantic finish with just eight points separating fourth place from 11th.
County boosted their hopes of being in the top six along with Celtic, Aberdeen and Hearts when they beat Hamilton with 10 men – Jamie Reckord having been sent off early in the second half – last weekend and Gardyne, pictured, believes it will take more of the resolve shown by his side in the final six games before the split.
He said: “Before Saturday’s game we had seven fixtures left before the split and we feel that we need to win more than half to secure a top six place. To win the first of those seven was massive for us.
“It wasn’t a great game because the pitch wasn’t great due to the bad weather and it is never easy against Hamilton. It was a really good win.
“After going down to 10 men, the players dug deep and it was a great goal from Ian McShane to win it.
“We have a great squad and dressing-room spirit and that showed again on Saturday. When you get pegged back to 1-1 when you have 10 men you think that Hamilton might go on and win the game but we did superbly well to come through it.”
A resurgent Dundee United are next up for County when they visit Victoria Park on Saturday and Gardyne insists he and his team-mates will have to show the same character against his former club, which is fighting for a place in the Premiership.
He said: “Dundee United will be buoyant after their win against Hearts. That will be a massive game followed by Killie next Tuesday, so these are the games we’re looking at. If we can win these we are almost in the top six after the split.
“They’ve won four out of seven and three from their last five. I know a lot of the boys there and the fighting qualities they have. You have the diggers like John Rankin, and Paul Paton, while Ryan Dow is also a fantastic player. They will all be pulling together. They are a good team and they play good football. I’m sure they will be coming up here confident. We need to be ready for them.”