Ross Draper is relieved he need not worry about shackling his former team-mate Ryan Christie when Ross County travel to Celtic this weekend.
Hoops midfielder Christie is suspended for County’s Premiership visit on Saturday, having been sent off when his side fell to a 2-0 defeat against Livingston in their last league outing earlier this month.
Englishman Draper, pictured right, played alongside a youthful Christie during their time at Caley Thistle, with the pair both part of John Hughes’ 2015 Scottish Cup winning side.
Given Christie’s excellent form in recent months, Draper believes his absence is a major boost for the Staggies.
Draper said: “When I switched on the Celtic game against Livingston I was wondering who had been sent off and wouldn’t play against us. He was the first one I looked for – I’m not going to lie, I was quite happy it was him. He is a player I obviously know well, but he has improved so much since I have played with him.
“A couple of loan spells have done him good, he has gone back in there and he has been the top man for Celtic and Scotland. He looks fitter, physically stronger.
“He’s a really good player, so him being suspended is a plus for us – although they have got a squad that can hurt you.”
County sit fifth in the table after eight games following their promotion from the Championship last term and Draper reckons the team’s fine start lessens the pressure on them to pick up points from what is a tough run of fixtures looming against the Celts, Hibernian and Rangers.
Draper added: “If you are struggling down at the bottom and you’ve not picked up the results you’ve wanted to, it adds pressure to get points from these tougher games.
“We knew when looking at the first set of fixtures that we played four teams at home that would potentially be in and around us come the end of the season, so we knew we needed to pick up points early doors – thankfully we have done.
“But why can’t we go and get a couple of results at big sides? We have seen it happen with other teams in this league, so why can’t we go and do it as well?”
Draper suffered a setback in his recovery from a knee injury earlier this season, but returned as a substitute in County’s 2-2 draw with St Johnstone earlier this month.
The 30-year-old added: “It’s worrying when I hear bone bruising because I was out for about six months with it down in England a few years ago.
“I’m happy it has maybe not been as severe as it could have been. Touch wood that’s me back and firing again.”
