Ross County midfielder Tim Chow reckons Saturday’s Scottish Cup tie against Aberdeen can bring out the best in the Staggies.
The Dons make the trip to Dingwall as favourites for the fifth-round tie on the back of an impressive run of six victories from their last seven games.
County triumphed 2-1 in the last encounter between the sides at Victoria Park in December, with Ryan Dow’s late header securing the points despite County being reduced to 10 men following Kenny van der Weg’s dismissal.
The Staggies recorded an impressive 1-1 draw against Rangers at Ibrox on Saturday – their third draw with the Gers this season – which followed defeats by Kilmarnock and Motherwell.
Former Wigan Athletic player Chow reckons the Staggies have stood up impressively to the challenge posed by the strongest sides in the country this season and the Englishman is not fazed by the prospect of facing Derek McInnes’ Reds, who are second in the Premiership.
Chow said: “Aberdeen are a good team but we know we are a good team, too. If we can play to our standards, then we don’t fear anyone.
“Against Rangers on Saturday, every single man stood up and was counted and we ground out the result. I think it’s concentration maybe, playing against a team of that calibre is hard but it takes us to another level.
“We know as players we must be at that level every week, it doesn’t matter who we are playing. It’s something we have recognised and are trying to put right.
“I can’t quite put my finger on it myself. We have done well against the bigger teams and maybe not so well against the lower teams. It’s something we’re all trying to work on and trying to resolve as soon as possible, because with nine games left, we need be at our best against every side in the league.”
Jim McIntyre’s side produced a fine display to defeat Dundee United 6-2 in the last round of the competition and Chow is eager to move a step closer to marking his first season with the Highlanders with a cup winner’s medal.
The 23-year-old added: “Everyone would love to win the cup and we are the exactly same. We are at home and we will give it our all. We are concentrated on Saturday and once that is over we will focus on the league.
“I came here to play games and to enjoy playing football again and, thanks to the manager and the lads, I’m enjoying it. I’m learning all the time and I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing.”
