Kettlewell wants repeat of 2011 cup triumph to provide another catalyst for County

Ross County co-manager Stuart Kettlewell wants the Dingwall squad to take a step closer to repeating the lift the club’s 2011 players received by defeating East Fife in tonight’s Irn-bru Cup semi-final.

Kettlewell said: “I was part of the County team that won this cup back in 2011 when we beat Queen of the South in the final.

“The competition has had a lot of criticism recently. However, it was hugely important to us back then and it can be important again. We had gone through a disappointing season with Derek Adams, Craig Brewster, Willie Mcstay and Jimmy Calderwood all having spells in charge.

“Winning the Challenge Cup was hugely important because of the changes we had gone through but also because it acted as a catalyst.

“The following season Derek was back, and we went on a long unbeaten run that helped us win the First Division. The following season we finished fifth in the top flight and that run of success can be traced back to winning this cup.

“It would be great to take a step closer to something similar by beating East Fife.”

County have done their

0 Stuart Kettlewell: Homework.

homework. “My co-manager Stevie Ferguson and I were prettywellversedontheirplayers,” said Kettlewell. “However, we filled in any gaps by taking in their game with Partick Thistle last weekend. It was

0 Darren Young: Belief.

not a day that was conducive to playing a lot of football due to the wind.

“However, they will have been disappointed at not getting a replay. They had a real go and they will have a go at us as well. They have won cupties against Thistle, Queen of the South and Morton this season so we will be in for a game of it.”

East Fife manager Darren Young knows that his side will need to keep a striker he unearthed at junior side Kilwinning Rangers quiet if the Methil men are to spring a shock in the Highlands.

Young gave Ross Stewart a chance in senior football and he is hoping that the 22-yearold does not pay him back by scoring tonight.

The Bayview boss said: “I was made aware of Ross when he was at Kilwinning and offered him the chance to go senior at Albion Rovers. He was under contract, but Rovers, Ross and hisdadclubbedtogethertobuy out his deal there to allow him to join.”

“He did well and earned a move to St Mirren where he was moved out on loan to Alloa and he starred there.

“He ended up at Ross County and, when I saw him come on and score against Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Monday night, I felt a mix of joy and dread.”

The Fifers head north in good spirits despite their defeat by Thistle. Said Young: “We pushed a Championship side all the way. We were disappointed afterwards. However, our performance has given us belief for County.”