Fearless Ross eyes starting spot run
STRIKER Steven Ross insists Ross County have nothing to fear when Aberdeen come calling to Dingwall in the Scottish Premiership this Saturday.
The 20-year-old, who is highly rated by manager Derek Adams, has forced his way into the side for the win against Hearts and last weekend’s 3-1 loss at Motherwell.
Aberdeen, many pundits’ tip for the runners-up spot this season, salvaged a late point in Monday’s 1-1 draw at struggling St Mirren and will want to return to winning ways.
Ross bagged the winner as County dumped the Dons in Dingwall last season and he stressed that the Staggies can again rise to the challenge.
He said: "We got some really good results against Aberdeen last season and there won’t be any fear from us. We don’t fear going into any game. We have a really good squad of players and there’s a great bunch of lads here.
"It should be a really good atmosphere because they will bring a good support here. It’s good playing at home, we all enjoy it. The pitch is like a bowling green and teams won’t like the journey here, so hopefully we can get a result.
"We will be going for the win against Aberdeen, as we do in every game.
"We’d love to get all three points before the international break and push further up the league."
Ross explained that every player faces a battle to win their place in Adams’ starting 11, but he’s been thrilled to get the nod in the past fortnight.
He said: "I am delighted to have been involved. You want to be training hard throughout the week and then get your chance on Saturday. I have come on in a few games and now started games, so that’s been good. No-one here is guaranteed a start. It’s up to the gaffer to make his choice after seeing us in training. Everyone wants to take their chance when it comes."
Looking back at Saturday’s defeat by Motherwell, the forward stressed: "Although we lost 3-1, I didn’t feel that reflected the way we played. If we had taken our chances, especially in the first half, we could have put Motherwell out of sight. Had we gone 2-0 ahead then maybe they would not have got back into the game in the way that they did."
Individual errors have been killing County so far as they have conceded 17 league goals so far – more than any other Premiership club.
Ross believes it’s vital the finger of blame isn’t pointed at anyone and the determination exists to recover.
He explained: "We will stick together as a team. If we make mistakes then we will take it on the chin.
"When we lose a goal, we don’t pin-point anyone. We always will back one another and regroup.
"We will gel, I am confident of that. There are times when we concede a goal then maybe our heads go down a wee bit. I know the results will come. If we can get a couple of wins in a row then we can kick on."
Dutch ace Melvin de Leeuw has scored in the last two games for County and Ross has been impressed by his class for the side.
He said: "Melvin is settling in well and really starting to find his feet.
"It can take a while for new players to come in and settle, but he’s looking sharp from when he came in against Hearts and then against Motherwell."
