Ross County forward Brian Graham hopes his recent goalscoring form from the bench will force him into the Staggies’ starting line-up.
Graham has come off the bench to score from the penalty spot in County’s two opening Betfred Cup matches after his goal in last week’s 1-0 win against Montrose with the equaliser in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against former club Raith Rovers, who went on to secure the bonus point at Dingwall with a 4-3 win on penalties.
The 28-year-old was frustrated with his lack of opportunities last term, making just 16 starts but ending his first season with the club on 11 goals, and hopes he has done enough to convince manager Jim McIntyre he is worth a start in tomorrow’s match at League 1 side Alloa Athletic.
Graham said: “It’s early on in the season but I’m disappointed. I’m training and knocking my pan in but I want to be playing games.
“Everyone is the same. All I can do is keep working hard. I know that Monday to Friday I’m working my socks off, so it’s up to the manager to see me in training and hopefully reward me if that’s the way it goes.
“It’s good to get on and help the team out both weeks but there’s no point in going in a huff. I’ve just got to keep knocking on the door and be a good professional.”
Graham felt the below-par Staggies were fortunate to salvage a point from their tie against the Kirkcaldy outfit on Saturday and has called for a vast improvement in tomorrow’s game against Alloa, who are two points ahead of the Dingwall men in Group D.
He added: “We got one point out of it but we didn’t deserve anything. Hopefully, we can kick to pick up a much-needed victory against Alloa – we need to pick up the three points there.”
