Ross County defender Paul Quinn is determined to secure a top-six place to cap the Staggies’ rise in the past 12 months.
Quinn captained County on a run of 10 wins from the final 14 games of last season, which helped Jim McIntyre’s side avoid relegation having been six points adrift at the foot of the Premiership.
A brief stint at Aberdeen ended with Quinn returning to Victoria Park in January. And the 30-year-old has already enjoyed a successful start to his second spell with the club, helping County win the League Cup final 2-1 against Hibernian earlier this month.
County’s final two games before the split are against top six rivals Dundee and Partick Thistle and Quinn said: “We are in a strong position, there is no doubt about that.
“Could it be better? Of course, but at the start of the season if we were told to win our last two games before the split to get into the top six then we would have taken it.
“We are looking forward to the two intense matches against sides round about us. That’s the joys of football and the games we want to be involved in.
“We know if we manage to get into the top six then the final five games will all be high-pressure matches against teams chasing titles and European football.
“These games are bigger for us, maybe with a TV game or two, so the incentives are there. There would be a lot of pride in getting into the top six given where we were last season. That’s the biggest thing. I want to look back at the end of the season and know we have come a long way.”
County return to action against Dundee at Dens Park on Saturday following the international break.
Quinn, who was ill before the Hampden victory against Hibs, reckons the rest has refreshed a tired squad and added: “It was good because some players had a few niggles, strains and illnesses. It was the same for every other side, and I’m not playing the violin, but the break came at a good time for us.
“We needed it and now have more numbers on the training pitch. We are working hard for a positive end before the split.”
