The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Schalk targets revenge over Tangerines
Ross County star Alex Schalk is out for revenge against Dundee United this weekend.
The Dutch forward is keen to make up for last season’s exit at the hands of the Tangerines in the same competition – and believes the Staggies will be favourites to make the fifth round.
Schalk is also confident his team’s top-flight quality will be too much for Ray McKinnon’s side, who have picked up only one point from their last three league matches, when they meet on Saturday.
He said: “United will be a hard game but we want to go on a good cup run again and see where it ends.
“It was a really disappointing result against them last year – we lost 3-2 – but we can redeem ourselves. We just need to beat them – that’s all that counts.
“We’re playing at home and, no disrespect to Dundee United, I think we are the better side.”
Schalk meanwhile says thoughts about his future are on hold, insisting he has unfinished business with the Staggies.
His contract is up at the end of the season but the Dutchman has made just six league starts this term, scoring one goal. The 24-year-old joined the Staggies in 2015 after leaving Dutch side Go Ahead Eagles.
Although he says he is enjoying his spell in the Highlands, Schalk is solely intent on finishing the season with a flourish.
The striker said: “We need to go on a good cup run and in the league start by winning again.
“If that continues we will see where we can go in terms of signing a new deal.
“I still like it here – I still think I’m not done up here. I’m really enjoying my time, especially with the manager and the boys we’ve got. We have a great squad.”
Schalk, who netted the winner in last season’s League Cup final win against Hibernian, reckons he is getting closer to hitting the goal trail again.
He added: “I think I played well but I haven’t scored my goals. I should have already had six, seven or eight goals.
“I want to be important for the team and the goals will come.”