Keith Watson knows what it takes to triumph against Rangers at Ibrox – and the defender believes he can repeat the feat with Ross County tonight.
Watson was part of a Dundee United side which struck late to claim a 3-2 victory in April 2011, with goals from Johnny Russell and David Goodwillie stunning a Gers side which went on to claim the league title the following month.
Although Watson acknowledges the challenge facing the Staggies tonight, he feels his side can cause tonight’s opponents problems by frustrating Steven Gerrard’s men, whose 2-1 defeat to Hearts on Sunday left them trailing Premiership leaders Celtic by five points.
Watson said: “I’ve had my ups and downs at Ibrox. I’ve played in a lot of good sides that have gone there and I’ve won there a couple of times with Dundee United.
“I remember a Paul Dixon cross and Johnny Russell header for the equaliser and David Goodwillie scored in the last minute for the winner.
“That’s one that sticks in my mind, and it would obviously be nice for something like that to happen again this week.
“We need to be as good as we have been in the last couple of games. Obviously, with Rangers losing on Sunday, they’ll be right up for it and we need to be ready.
“But that’s the thing about football. Upsets are always possible.
“We’re going to go into it full of confidence and you never know what can happen.
“They had a disappointing result on Sunday. The longer the game goes on with them not quite at it they have a big stadium with loads of fans.
“I’m sure they will start to get on their back and that’s what we need to do. We need to go there and frustrate and, at the other end, be confident on the ball – and try to create some openings ourselves.”
Watson feels his side can take encouragement from their showing against Celtic on Saturday, despite going down 3-0 defeat against the Hoops.
The 30-year-old added: “There have been positives in the last couple of games we can build on.
“Don’t get me wrong, we lost 3-0 down at Celtic, but I don’t think that was a fair reflection with the chances we created.
“Watching them back, we had a right chance there – and a right go.
“We need to take that to Ibrox, because it will be a similar type of game. If we can create chances like we did at Parkhead, there’s a good chance we can take them.”
Watson has partnered Coll Donaldson in central defence for the last two games, and he feels he is building a solid understanding with the new arrival from Caley Thistle.
Watson added: “He has slotted in well. He’s a big lad and puts himself about. In the two games I’ve played with him, I think he’s been excellent.
“I came back in for the Hearts game and it had been a while since I’d started, but I thought we defended very well.”
