Ross County manager Jim McIntyre has challenged his players to continue where they left off when they return to action after a two-week break today.
The Staggies’ surge up the Scottish Premiership table has been interrupted by the international break but with his players returning to action today at Dundee United McIntyre wants to see more of the same from his team.
McIntyre said: “A lot gets made of breaks and your momentum. The break is what it is. You just get on with it.
“We’ve had a good week in training so far and we’re properly prepared. It’s about what the players produce on the day.
“I’ve spoken about just how well taking it a game at a time has served us and we’ll continue to do that.”
McIntyre believes the break came at a good time in terms of allowing players to rest but is frustrated the club’s resurgence has paused.
He said: “It was a good break, it let us rest a few players who were carrying niggles. But when you’re on a run like we are you’d prefer the games to keep coming thick and fast.
“But the international break is what it is and we’ve been glad of the chance to let some of the lads recharge.”
McIntyre will look to attacker Liam Boyce to get the goals at Tannadice and believes the Northern Irishman’s play deserves to be rewarded with goals.
He said: “Liam has done well for us. He’s been unlucky he hasn’t scored some more goals himself because his overall play has deserved it.
“He has put in so much work to get into the best shape he can be and that has been reflected in his performances.”
The Staggies face a United side reeling from three defeats in a row following a gruelling four-in-a-row run against Celtic but McIntyre knows there is little time for sympathy.
He said: “United have had a tough run of games – and high profile ones as well, which takes a lot out of you.
“United have players who can hurt you – but so have we.
“The last time we played them it was all-out attack from both teams but they showed a bit more quality than we did on the day.
“The match was close but that was the difference in the end. Hopefully, we can replicate the performances we had before the break.”