The picture has changed drastically for Davis Keillor-Dunn in the space of 12 months.
Just over a year ago Sunderland-born winger Keillor-Dunn was savouring silverware with Ross County as he helped the club’s under-20s side, which was managed by Staggies co-manager Stuart Kettlewell, lift the Development League title.
Not only has he stepped up to first team duty, Keillor-Dunn now faces an altogether different challenge, as he attempts to steer the Staggies off the foot of the Premiership in their remaining two matches – starting with tonight’s home game against Dundee.
Despite being reacquainted with Kettlewell and Steven Ferguson, Keillor-Dunn has had to be patient in recent weeks, with Friday’s 1-1 draw against Partick Thistle his first appearance since a 3-2 loss to Kilmarnock on March 10.
Keillor-Dunn is eager to play his part in helping to lift County out of the mire, and hopes he can thrive on the pressure of their situation.
The 20-year-old said: “It’s different for me, it’s hard but I’ve just got to take it on my shoulders and do everything I can to help the team at this hard time.
“It’s all learning experiences, so we’ve just got to take each game as it comes now.
“I came off the bench against Partick Thistle and it felt like my first game again. I enjoyed it, I obviously want to do what I can to help the team and try to get another three points.
“We’ve just got to try different things and formations. As a wide man, the 3-5-2 does not fit us, but that’s just football. I’ve just got to get used to it, keep working hard and my time will come.”
County’s fate is out of their own hands, with Friday’s result against Thistle at Firhill seeing them miss out on the opportunity to move off the bottom, and meaning they still trail the Jags by two points.
Keillor-Dunn insists the Staggies squad remains upbeat about their survival prospects, and feels they can give themselves a fighting chance with victories over Dundee and St Johnstone in their two remaining fixtures.
He added: “In the second half of the game on Friday we did really well, we probably should have come out with three points.
“We had a few chances.
“That’s football though, you’ve just got to keep going.
“We’ve got to take each game as it comes and just go for it.
“There’s obviously only two games left – we want six points. I think we are quite capable of doing it, and that’s all we want.
“Six points from the last two games would give us a good chance.”
