Game at Mcdiarmid is massive says Staggies’ Chelsea loan star
Chelsea loanee Nathan Baxter reckons moving to Scotland has subverted all his notions of what constitutes a big game.
The Ross County goalkeeper’s four past loan spells have been at places like Yeovil Town and Woking, down in the darker reaches of England’s national leagues.
During his seasons in those divisions, victories for teams nearer the bottom against teams near the top were far from rare.
Given the dominance of Celtic and the restored might of Rangers, along with those competing fiercely for the remaining
European place, Baxter has been taken aback by the disparity at play within one 12-team league.
That makes games like today’s trip to Perth far more box office for Ross County than a glamour match against the Old Firm.
The highly-rated 21-year-old said: “Any game against a team in and around us is massive this season.
“We know we need to pick up points against the teams around us and just how vital that can be.
“It is a different experience for me coming into this league, as compared to playing in England’s leagues, where pretty much anyone can beat anyone.
“Here there can be a far bigger disparity within the same division and we need to make sure we beat those sides around us.
“We’ve probably been better at home in recent weeks, so going away to Perth, it is important put in a good performance.
“It is a huge game and we want to go into the time off during the break on the back of a victory.
“It is a massive game for us coming off the back of a defeat. We’ll make sure we’re on it and go again.”
Baxter has impressed Ross County’s management team, first and foremost with his ability, but secondly with his attitude. Groomed since a young age at Chelsea, he is viewed within his boyhood club as one very much in the picture for future first team, and possible international, involvement.
He could comfortably remain in those cossetted environs as third
or fourth choice, but has always been keen to spread his wings.
His first two stints away from Stamford Bridge were with Metropolitan Police, of the Southern League Premier Division South, and Solihull Moors, patrons of the National League. What most chimed with co-manager Stuart Kettlewell and Steven Ferguson was the Londoner’s declaration that, for the duration of his loan, he saw himself as a Ross County, rather than Chelsea player.
Just as he was finding his feet in July, though, a freak shoulder injury ruled him out for four months.
Only recently has he recovered fitness and supplanted ex-hibs keeper Ross Laidlaw and begun to show the promise he holds.
Baxter said: “It is great to be back playing regularly after the shoulder injury. It is never nice to be out for that length of time, but I made sure I stayed connected with the club after returning to Chelsea for treatment.
“I came to games, home and away, so when I returned it wasn’t like I was starting afresh and getting to know the lads.
“I feel back to 100%
“I’m optimistic as I’m glad to be back, but I know I have more to give.
St Johnstone, meanwhile, feel they are on the up, and club captain Jason Kerr reckons they’re capable of beating anyone.
“We’ve picked up some form. Hopefully, we can keep this run going and get points on the board. Right now, I feel like we can beat anyone with the quality we have in this squad,” he said. Tommy Wright’s men have turned things around in their last nine matches, winning four and drawing three of them to lift themselves up to ninth place, seven points above basement club Hearts.
“We’re four points off the top six so, when you’re having a bad run, it takes just two or three games to turn things around. I don’t think any of the boys panicked when we were down there so that’s a good thing,” Kerr added
“It would be good to put a performance in against Ross County and get further up that table.
“Going into the winter break near the top six will be good for us and we can kick on from there.”