Jim McIntyre believes Ross County’s second half performance at Firhill offered huge encouragement for tomorrow’s formidable test against treble-chasing Celtic.
Fresh from Champions League action and a League Cup semi-final triumph against Rangers at Hampden Park, Brendan Rodgers’ Hoops will venture to the relatively modest surrounds of Victoria Park, Dingwall, in high spirits.
County remain locked in a seven-game run without victory, although four of those matches have been drawn – including the difficult trips to Tynecastle and Ibrox.
McIntyre, who masterminded a League Cup semi-final triumph against Ronny Deila’s side in January, as well as a draw at Celtic Park in the league in April, believes his team turned a corner against Partick Thistle.
The Staggies manager praised his side’s defensive solidity and spoke of burgeoning belief in the final third of the field through the second half of Saturday’s 1-1 draw.
He said: “Our second half was better. In the first half, Partick had the better of it, although, having watched the game back, they’ve not cut us open. It was all shots from distance, although still too many for our liking.
“In the second half we changed things about and were far more on the front foot. We’ve hit the post, scored and should have had a penalty. Ryan Dow had a last-minute chance as well.
“Our attempts at goal were better opportunities than Partick’s chances, so that was very encouraging. It was great to see the substitutes come on and give us that impact and I thought all three subs did that for us.
“Our back four players were excellent. We really defended our box well. We also defended crosses really well through really good positioning. They deserve a lot of credit for that.
“Against Celtic, we’re certainly going to have to defend well. They have pace in abundance and a good physicality in their team as well.”
McIntyre may have read the riot act with his players at the break at Firhill but believes he can always count on a reaction from his spirited group.
He said: “They never give up. They just keep on going and battering away at it. We weren’t happy at half-time but the boys have gone out in the second half and had a real go.”
County will still be without Tim Chow for the Celtic visit, with the former Wigan Athletic winger serving the second instalment of the suspension meted out after the red card at Pittodrie. Northern Ireland international Liam Boyce, recovering from a knee ligament injury, remains sidelined for Celtic’s visit.
