County halt their slump but tougher tests loom

Stuart Kettle well says Ross County’s Perth triumph was just the confidence booster they needed before they take on the Scottish Premiership’s high-flyers.

The Staggies had gone five games without a win but halted that slump with a hard-fought 1- 0 win against St Johnstone.

But they will face tougher tests over their next three top -flight dates with a trip to Rangers squeezed in between the visits of Aberdeen and Hibernian to Dingwall. “It was a big win, we’ re not going to hide from that,” said Kettle well after Iain Vigurs’ free -kick sealed the points at Mcdiarmid Park.

“We spoke to the players at the start of the game and the fact of the matter was we hadn’t won in a few games and the pressure starts to mount, and people want to jump on us and come after us. But, if you look again at our average age and the guys we’ve got out on the pitch, we’ve got a young team. For that, there’s going to be mistakes and for that one or two questions get asked.”

Saints left out new signing Craig Br yson but handed striker Stevie May his first start of the season. However, it was left-back Scott Tanser who came closest to an equaliser when he slammed against the crossbar just after half-time.

Saints also had two firsthalf handball appeals in the penalty area turned down but boss Call um Davidson reckons his team’s luck will change soon. “I think we will get some decisions coming our way pretty soon,” he said. “It is one of those. You win some, you lose some. I thought Stevie May, for me, that was probably S te vie of old. I thought he worked extremely hard, his move - ment was really good, so I’m glad he’s back full fitness.

“He gives me something else to work with going forward.”