YOGI’S AT THE MIND-UP
Wright: Amateur psychology ain’t gonna work on us John
TOMMY WRIGHT fired back at “amateur psychologist” John Hughes last night and warned the Ross County boss that his relegation mind games have fallen on deaf ears.
Ahead of this afternoon’s basement battle in Ayrshire, Hughes claimed the pressure is all on Killie despite the Staggies being only a point better off.
Rugby Park boss Wright also reckons his Dingwall rival is guilty of trying to influence referees after his midweek rant at officials.
Hughes had claimed County would be “sitting with a few more points” had it not been for some dubious decisions.
But Rugby Park boss Wright blasted back: “John likes to talk a lot but I don’t listen to it.
“I think he’s trying to be an amateur psychologist or something but he can say what he wants – it doesn’t bother us.
“We’ll concentrate on what we’ve got to do and we know what that is.
“We know that we’ve got ourselves in this position. It’s not because of referees or budgets, it’s the fact we haven’t done well enough. But there are three points up for grabs in this one and it’s one we believe we can win.
“I think he’s maybe trying to influence referees. We’ll concentrate on our team.”
Killie go into the clash after a 4-1 victory over Motherwell that ended a 10-game winless streak and last week’s 4-0 thrashing of Stenhousemuir in the Scottish Cup.
In contrast County have lost three on the spin including last week’s Highland derby cup KO by Caley Thistle.
Wright’s only signing since arriving at Rugby Park two months ago has been
Kyle Lafferty. Six goals in three games suggest securing the Northern Irishman could be a real masterstroke.
Wright said: “Kyle has come in and done exactly what I wanted him to do.
“He has hit the ground running which was so important for us.
“He is a big influence on and off the pitch, a big character around the place and on the park with his performances.
“He has lifted the players around him and they have responded well to him.
“Kyle is enjoying his football, he has a smile on his face.
“We were fortunate to get him and hopefully we can reap the rewards of getting him until the end of the season.
“He likes the big stage and he is one who responds well to that.”
Wright knows County have an on-form scorer in their ranks too. Billy Mckay has netted four times in four games including twice when the Highlanders came from 2-0 down to beat Killie in Dingwall just a month ago.
Wright added: “We are aware of their threats. Billy Mckay is a proven goalscorer at this level.
“Oli Shaw and Jordan White are different types of strikers but they can cause problems.
“County have quality in their team but we have to worry about ourselves and if we do that then I feel we can continue on this good run.”
Killie defender Brandon Haunstrup also batted away any attempt at mind games.
He said: “A lot of things get said in football. All we can do is look forward to the next game and prepare for that. It’s a big game but all five are big.
“It’s my first time with the split. It’s like five cup finals. The boys are relishing it.”
The left-back arrived from Portsmouth in the summer and added: “A lot of people say that Scottish football isn’t competitive because of Rangers and Celtic. But I came into this team and, after the first few games and with the squad we have, fancied beating anyone.
“Unfortunately it’s not gone that way but I’d still fancy us to give any team in this league a good game.”