Nai chance lads if we’re not mindful of pressure
JASON NAISMITH is urging his Ross County team-mates to embrace the relegation heat today and inflict a “hammer blow” on Kilmarnock.
The Rugby Park outfit are only above bottomplaced Hamilton on goal difference after collecting one point from nine games.
County rest one point above the pair after four wins – including one at home over Celtic – seven defeats and a draw since John Hughes took charge.
For Naismith, pressure shouldn’t be an issue.
In fact, the former St Mirren and Hibs defender hopes his team-mates were feeling it this week.
The 26-year-old said: “I was saying on Monday I hope we’re feeling the pressure. It’s not just us as footballers who get affected by it – there are jobs at stake at the club.
“The quicker the boys realise we need to graft in every game the way we did against Celtic, the better.
“There’s pressure playing at any club but if we’re going into this game relaxed and almost complacent, thinking we beat Celtic so we can rest on our laurels, that’s not going to hack it.
“Killie are going to come here with experience and quality in their team, so we need to be on our game to take anything. We need to earn the right to battle.”
ABERDEEN v HAMILTON
ABERDEEN boss Derek McInnes has received better news than expected on Fraser Hornby’s thigh tear and the striker could be back in 10 days to two weeks.
Defender Aaron Martin returns from a foot injury for Hamilton. Loan striker Bruce Anderson is unavailable against his parent club, Marios Ogkmpoe remains out with a hamstring complaint.
Last season: Hamilton 1, Aberdeen 3; Aberdeen 1, Hamilton 0; Hamilton 0, Aberdeen 1.
Last five league matches: Aberdeen LDLWL; Hamilton DWDLD
Referee: Bobby Madden
MOTHERWELL v LIVINGSTON
MOTHERWELL will have an unchanged squad with 11 players still ruled out.
Livingston picked up a couple of injuries against Rangers in midweek, with strikers Gavin Reilly and Scott Robinson both going off early. Efe Ambrose was on the bench after being troubled by a knee knock while Jackson Longridge is looking to return.
Last season: Livingston 1, Motherwell 0; Motherwell 2, Livingston 1; Livingston 0, Motherwell 0.
Last five league matches: Motherwell WLLDW; Livingston WLLDL
Referee: Colin Steven
RANGERS v ST MIRREN
LEON BALOGUN returns from a quad injury as Rangers look to take another huge step towards the title.
Striker Kemar Roofe and midfielder Ryan Jack (both calf) will rejoin the squad next week.
Strikers Eamonn Brophy (fractured foot) and Kristian Dennis (Achilles) are the only men ruled out for St Mirren ahead of facing the champions-elect.
Last season: Rangers 1, St Mirren 0; St Mirren 0, Rangers 1.
Last five league matches: Rangers WDWWW; St Mirren DDDDW
Referee: Steven McLean
ROSS COUNTY v KILMARNOCK
ROSS COUNTY captain Iain Vigurs returns from a two-match ban while defender Callum Morris remains out with a hamstring problem. Mohamed Maouche also misses out for personal reasons.
Tom Grivosti and Connor Randall are out for the rest of the campaign. Defender Clevid Dikamona (hamstring) is Kilmarnock’s only absentee for the trip.
Last season: Kilmarnock 3, Ross County 1; Ross County 1, Kilmarnock 0; Kilmarnock 0, Ross County 0
Last five league matches: Ross County LWLWL; Kilmarnock LLLLD.
Referee: Euan Anderson
ST JOHNSTONE v HIBS
ST JOHNSTONE’s Hampden hero Shaun Rooney is a doubt for Callum Davidson’s team after suffering a kick to his knee during Wednesday’s draw at Hamilton.
Murray Davidson, Chris Kane and Ali McCann are among a group of five players also being assessed.
Hibs have teenage left-back Josh Doig back from injury while Kyle Magennis is back in training.
Last season: St Johnstone 1, Hibs 4; Hibs 2, St Johnstone 2.
Last five league matches: St Johnstone LWLWD; Hibs WWWWL
Referee: David Dickinson
DUNDEE UTD v CELTIC (SUN)
UNITED welcome Peter Pawlett back following a two-match ban for a red card against Livingston.
Chris Mochrie (hip) is also back in boss Micky Mellon’s squad.
Winger James Forrest has returned to training at Celtic following a setback in his recovery from ankle surgery but left-back Greg Taylor remains absent with a thigh problem. Last season: No corresponding fixture. Last five league matches: Dundee Utd LWWLD; Celtic WWWLW.
Referee: Kevin Clancy
BRIAN RICE will return to old-school ways in a bid to help Hamilton taste success at Pittodrie.
Covid restrictions mean there is nowhere to stop for the usual pre-match meal, so players will take a packed lunch for the journey north.
Boss Rice said: “It’s difficult for us. We can’t go for food, which we’d normally do for Ross County and Aberdeen, so the lads have to bring it with them.
“I wouldn’t trust some of them to bring the right things so we might need to go into a supermarket on the way. I couldn’t see somebody like Scott Martin making his own food!”
The real fuel for Accies is the desire to get a result that will go some way to lifting them off the bottom.
A three-way fight has Ross County, Kilmarnock and Rice’s side all in the mix, although Motherwell could yet be pulled into the relegation battle.
And Accies defender Lee Hodson insists they need
STAYING FOCUSED Hodson to ignore the noise around them as they head into the remaining eight games.
He said: “We know where we are in the league but we don’t constantly look at it.
“We know what we need to do – we need to go out there, pick up points and put in performances like we have been doing.
“We believe in each other and we’re looking forward to every game coming up.
“We just need to focus on ourselves and no one else. We can’t influence the other result, so we can’t worry about what Ross County and Kilmarnock are doing.
“If we keep performing as we are, I’m confident we can pick up points and climb the table.
“We don’t need distractions or listening to other people’s opinions.”