Ross County’s Scott Fox is relishing his role as the Staggies’ sweeper-goalkeeper.
Manager Jim McIntyre has given his players more freedom to build attacks patiently from defence this season, deviating from a previously faster and more direct approach.
Fox has been asked to alter his distribution as a result.
Celtic’s Craig Gordon was earlier this season dropped in favour of Dorus de Vries in the early weeks of manager Brendan Rodgers’ tenure, with the Scotland international forced to adapt to a more possession-based style before winning his place back.
Fox, who will take on former club Partick Thistle in tonight’s Premiership encounter at Victoria Park, has welcomed the change of approach.
He said: “We worked on a few things in training. We did a lot of work on the training pitch with shape and the way we’re going to play now.
“We’ve changed our basis from last year. It’s worked, and teams have struggled to cope with us. Long may it continue and hopefully we can do it again when we play Partick Thistle.
“We’re doing more to keep the ball from the back. Teams used to sit off us and we used to kick the ball long into them but this year we can play from the back and move it a bit more.
“We’ve got players at centre half who are willing to take the ball. We can hurt teams in the wide areas and our forward line is very good.
“It’s less one-dimensional but we can always change it if need be. We know we’ve got the personnel to go and hold the ball up if we need to change it and turn them.
“It’s just a little bit more work on the training pitch, we’ve got plan A and plan B now.
“I get more touches of the ball but it’s something I’ve added to my game.
“The goalkeeping coach Scott Thomson has worked hard with me, while the manager has put more of the team’s training basis into it as well.
“I’m enjoying the way we’re playing and it’s good to watch.
“It’s a part of the modern game. Obviously, I want to have the ability to kick it far in my locker as well in case teams press us high, but it’s just about adding more to my game.
“I’m enjoying it and hopefully we continue doing it.”
County are unbeaten in six games and Fox is eager to extend that run in order to silence the Thistle supporters, who have given him a noisy reception following his departure from Firhill in summer 2015.
The 29-year-old added: “It’s one of the games I want to win – I like beating them.
“I know it’s going to come from their supporters, it’s the same as last year when I had it a lot.
“It’s been the same this year. They just wait for me – I think they travel just to get me.
“I’m looking forward to it, the team is doing well and we’re confident.”
