Ross County defender Stelios Demetriou says the Staggies must capitalise on their upcoming home games against Partick Thistle and Inverness.
Although County have won five of their eight league matches at Victoria Park, the Staggies were held to a 1-1 draw against Queen of the South in their last home fixture on December 8, having suffered their first home loss against Dundee United last month.
Cypriot international Demetriou feels the Staggies’ back-to-back home fixtures give them the opportunity to keep up the pressure on leaders Ayr United, who are a point ahead with a game in hand.
Demetriou said: “It’s massive for us to not be dropping points at home, and lately we have dropped some points here. We all know in the dressing room we have to take advantage of our home games and take the three points.
“We know how it is this season. Most of the teams are going to just sit behind and park the bus, be patient and try to nick a goal like Queens did last week.
“We just have to be patient but concentrate until the last minute of the game. In the last game here we lost a goal towards the latter stages of the game, which we could have handled better.
“We’ve just got to forget about that and focus on this week now. As players we have to learn how to handle that situation a bit better, because that has happened in some of the games.
“I can’t say it has been lots of games though – I think we are still in a decent position. We are still up there challenging for the league and there are lots of games to be played too.”
Demetriou has enjoyed a run in Stuart Kettlewell and Steven Ferguson’s side in recent weeks, having initially struggled for game time following his summer move from St Mirren.
The 28-year-old feels his patience has been rewarded, adding: “Every player needs a run of games to find his steps on the pitch, and find out about his team-mates.
“This last run of games has helped me out a lot. I think I’m giving my best for the team on the park and hopefully I can stay in the team.
“I said even when I wasn’t playing that it was going to be a long season. It’s the best squad in the league, so I knew I had to be patient and wait for my opportunity.
“I think I have been patient and I have proved I deserve to be on the pitch. The competition is what we need and it is the same for every squad – but especially for one that wants to win the league.
“If you’ve got two or three players for every position, every day in training you see a battle, which is what managers love to see.”
