Kettlewell calls for six out of six for County

Co-manager Stuart Kettlewell admits Ross County need to finish the season with two Ladbrokes Premiership wins to have a chance of avoiding relegation but insists their approach will be measured rather than manic.

The Highlanders are two points adrift of second-bottom Partick Thistle and five behind Hamilton and are running out of games.

Dundee visit Dingwall tonight before County conclude their league campaign at St Johnstone on Saturday and Kettlewell, while accepting six points is required, will stress the need for calm heads.

“We are under no illusions, to give ourselves the best chance to get out of the position that we are in, we have to win the two games,” he said. “Unfortunately that doesn’t guarantee that we would be in a safe position but we need to try to win them.

“That’s the message that has been put across to the players. There has to be that measured approach as well. You can put yourself out the game by going too gung-ho or hell-forleather. We must make sure we give ourselves a platform.

“You have to get the balance right. If you put yourself in a silly position where you’re exposing yourself too much, playing against the likes of Dundee, you will be out the game.”

Dundee’s 1-0 win over Hamilton on Saturday meant Neil Mccann’s side are six points and nine goals better off than Partick Thistle and thus all but safe.

It would take a nine-goal swing and results to go against them for Dundee to be at risk of dropping into the play-off place, but Mccann is not in a position to let his players get complacent.

“For the avoidance of doubt, there have not been any engines turned down and we’re not going up there to go through the motions. We understand what we have to do to avoid the play-off spot,” he said. “It’s a win we’re after tomorrow night.”