Brian Irvine believes Ross County will relish the opportunity to try and capitalise on a difficult week for Sunday’s Premiership opponents Aberdeen.
The Dons face a difficult trip to face Portuguese club Sporting in the third qualifying round of the Europa League, ahead of their visit to Dingwall on Sunday.
Derek McInnes’ side are looking to bounce back from Sunday’s 3-0 defeat to Motherwell at Pittodrie, with the Dons boss also likely to lose defender Scott McKenna who is on the verge of joining Nottingham Forest.
Irvine feels the Staggies will sense the chance to catch Aberdeen at a good time.
Irvine, who played for both clubs, said: “This time last week you would have expected Aberdeen to beat County, but it was the ideal result getting the win at St Johnstone.
“It always looked like a tough week for Aberdeen to keep their 100% record which they had going.
“I didn’t see them coming through this week with three wins out of three. Having lost the game on Sunday, they will look to get results now.
“It will certainly be a tough one on Thursday, and equally it will be a difficult game at County on Sunday.
“With them travelling to Portugal and then coming back for the game on Sunday, that will make it more difficult for Aberdeen.
“With Scott McKenna leaving, there are a couple of things in Ross County’s favour.”
The Staggies ended a five match streak without a victory when they defeated St Johnstone 1-0 at McDiarmid Park on Saturday, which Irvine feels will ease the strain on Stuart Kettlewell’s side.
He added: “If County had lost at St Johnstone the pressure would have been a negative one. It would have been six games without a win, then coming into Aberdeen, Hibs and Rangers.
“That would have been real pressure, whereas now they have got the result against St Johnstone, and they may get a result against Aberdeen off the back of that.
“The Rangers game, like all other teams at the moment, it’s a bonus if they get anything. If they don’t, it won’t be such a big loss.
“The St Johnstone result will give them confidence going into the Aberdeen and Hibs games which are both at home, where they would hope to get a result.”
Irvine says County must also be guarded against a backlash from the Dons, adding: “I always think you are more dangerous as an opponent when you’ve had a couple of defeats.
“Aberdeen had been on such a great run with six wins in a row, but realistically you are not going to go through a season winning every game. You will get hiccups like that.
“Ross County should still be buoyant from their win at St Johnstone but for me you are most vulnerable when you’ve just had a win. The pressure is off a wee bit for the next game.
“It’s just whether Aberdeen’s defeat will be a kick up the backside which might give them the wee edge.”