Ross County on 40-game run but still seek season’s first home win

Published on 22/09/2012 01:00

Ross County captain Richard Brittain believes the paucity of goals in their Clydesdale Bank Premier League games is symptomatic of the tight nature of the competition.

Brittain is the only County player to score in the SPL, the midfielder having netted from a free-kick against Celtic and a penalty in the win over Dundee. The Dingwall side have only conceded one goal, in injury time against Celtic, in their six games. Derek Adams’ side go looking for their first home win of the season today against St Johnstone, and Brittain has no concern about their attacking potential.

The former St Mirren midfielder said: “It just shows you how closely matched teams are.

“I don’t think it’s anything to do with a lack of striking options because it’s not just strikers who score goals.

“But we are confident – with the quality we have got in the squad, the goals will start to flow.”

County have extended their unbeaten league run to 40 games since winning the Irn-Bru First Division and only SPL leaders Motherwell are also undefeated in the competition this season. But Brittain was quick to point out that his side have achieved nothing yet. “We have got a decent foothold in the league but there is a long, long way to go and it’s only a foothold,” the 28-year-old said.

St Johnstone manager Steve Lomas, meanwhile, insists last week’s victory against Celtic will count for nothing if his team lose to Ross County.

Saints stunned the Scottish champions when they fought back from behind to claim a 2-1 SPL win in front of their jubilant fans at McDiarmid Park. Lomas has now told his players they must build on their first victory of the season when they make the long trip north to Dingwall

The Saints manager knows the task facing them is not easy but his players head into the match in positive mood.

He said: “I think any win makes training a lot more enjoyable. To come back after such an early setback was very positive.

“But it will count for nothing if we don’t go up and produce the same sort of performance and hopefully get a result against Ross County, who are bang in form.”