Ross County manager Jim McIntyre has urged his players to learn from Aberdeen’s ruthless, relentless streak in the 2-1 defeat on Saturday.
County lost the first home league Premiership fixture of the season as the Dons came from behind to triumph after Craig Curran’s early opener for the home side.
Goals from defenders Mark Reynolds and Shay Logan gave the Dons the win and McIntyre expects tougher competition in the Premiership this season having been impressed by the recruitment of some of his rival managers and warned his men must show a clinical edge.
McIntyre said: “The bottom line is good teams find a way to win and that’s what Aberdeen did.
“That’s where the learning curve is for us.
“We have to be that bit better when the opportunities present themselves. They got a better grip of the game in the second half and that’s why they went on to win it.
“Every club has tried to strengthen and it will make it such a tight league.
“It is up to us to find consistency and pick up results.”
Attacker Curran has scored two goals in his last two games. Having returned to full fitness earlier this year after suffering long spells of dizziness and fatigue following a head collision with Kilmarnock player Darryl Westlake in August 2015, McIntyre feels the Englishman is back to his best.
McIntyre added: “Craig is like a new signing. His head knock has been well documented but he is back to normal and he trains every day now.
“He led the line really well against Aberdeen on Saturday.
“He was strong, got hold of the ball, linked the play well and got his goal, which is the most important thing for a forward.
“It makes forwards feel good about themselves.
“It was a pleasing performance from Craig and he was deservedly voted man of the match.
“He is a good character. Every day on the training ground he is the same, a bundle of energy and it is great to see him back to full capacity where he is not having down days.
“He is totally over the head injury and is a breath of fresh air around the place.”