Ross County co-manager Stuart Kettlewell insists the Staggies must translate some of their encouraging recent displays into Premiership points in the coming weeks.
The Staggies have earned plaudits for their last two displays despite having only a point to show them, with last Wednesday’s 0-0 home draw with Hearts followed by a 3-0 loss to Celtic on Saturday.
The difficult run of fixtures continues with tonight’s match against Rangers at Ibrox, however Kettlewell feels maintaining recent performance levels will be key to County’s hopes of top-flight survival, with only four points separating them from Hamilton Accies in the relegation play-off position.
Kettlewell said: “Some of our all-round play against Hearts and Celtic showed some real quality and composure up until that last act. We need to build on it.
“The challenge now comes with trying to keep that level of consistency in our performance, but we need to try and translate it into points.
“We know how difficult this league can become. We have seen it first hand, in the second half of the season when everybody is scrapping for points.
“Teams might abandon their principles and the performance goes out the window purely to try and get points.
“We want to be in this league next season, so at times there is going to have to be occasions where we have to fight and scrap for every single point we can get.
“If we’re going to achieve anything it’s about finding that level of consistency.”
County face a Rangers side which fell five points adrift of leaders Celtic following their 2-1 loss to Hearts on Sunday, however Glasgow-born Kettlewell reckons tonight’s opponents can handle the pressure of sustaining their title push.
Kettlewell added: “I’m somebody that has been brought up in and around that environment, I know a lot about Rangers from the outside looking in. There’s pressure on Rangers wherever they are playing – in League 2 or the top of the Premiership.
“They’ve got guys that are used to that sort of pressure. Of course, they will be expected to beat us, and with that comes a real significance in their position in the league.
“But our need for points and performances is great as well. Nobody expects us to win but we set a standard – and if we can turn those key moments in our favour we believe we can give anybody a game in this division on our day.”
Kettlewell is open to the possibility of further additions before Friday’s transfer deadline, having already brought in Jordan Tillson, Coll Donaldson and Oli Shaw.
He added: “I certainly wouldn’t rule anything out. You’re always looking to see if there’s that one gem that you can add to your group to make it that bit stronger and give you another option, but there is nothing imminent.”
