Chris: I’ll relish send-off but how can I top Macca?
STUART KETTLEWELL won’t tell his Ross County players to throw caution to the wind today – despite needing a win in Perth to stand any chance of dodging the drop.
The Staggies co-manager knows there will be calls for his side to go gung-ho and throw everything at St Johnstone.
But ahead of what promises to be a day of drama, Kettlewell insists County need to be smarter than that.
The Dingwall men must win then hope Partick Thistle slip up at Dundee if they are to avoid automatic relegation.
And while Kettlewell will make sure there’s fire in the bellies he also wants his players to think clearly and strike a balance between attack and defence.
He said: “Everybody expects us to play six strikers and say, ‘Let’s just get the ball up into that area and score a goal.’
“But there has to be a structure to it. When we chased the game on Tuesday, Dundee began picking us off for fun.
“You can actually be out of the game before you’re in it. We don’t want to be two or three down because we’ve gone into it stupidly gung-ho.
“There has to be a fine balance. We’re not going ultra-defensive and just trying to sneak through the game – we want to create chances and score goals.
“But equally we have to make sure that when we do score our goals we haven’t conceded three or four.
“When the tension starts to creep in that measured approach is often the best one but you can still have industry, desire and energy within your team.
“There has to be a balance – we’re not stupid. We’ve seen the results many times where teams over-commit.
“You saw it down in England last weekend with a couple of teams fighting for their lives maybe going too far and the game is then out of their hands.
“There will be an element of risk-taking BY ALASDAIR FRASER and we’ve tried to put that into all nine games we’ve been in charge of.
“But the key is you have to capitalise when you’re enjoying that dominance.”
Kettlewell is quick to dismiss any thoughts of Dundee easing up against Partick and insists St Johnstone will also be fully motivated.
He said: “We’ve seen that already from clubs who are safe. Dundee still have a lot to play for. Likewise, St Johnstone have hit a bit of form.
“There’s often a lot said about whether a team will put the tools away but we don’t expect that from anybody.
“We wouldn’t accept it from our boys if we were in a comfortable position and I think the other teams are the same.”
Captain Andrew Davies knows it’s win or bust today but insists their desperate scenario could prove liberating.
The defender said: “We are still in with a fighting chance. If we play and are firing then we can get a result.
“The other game won’t interest me until we do the business. It’s just all about trying to keep the boys focused.
“We need to be as positive as we can. We will reflect after the game – and there’s a lot to be said. But there’s no time for that now.
“When the odds are stacked against you then you have nothing to lose. Just go out there and play.
“When we perform we are a very good side. We’ve not had enough consistency but if we turn up on Saturday we will get a result. I’m confident of that.
“And I’m confident we will stay in this league after that.”
STUART KETTLEWELL
CHRIS MILLAR will say goodbye to the St Johnstone fans today after 10 years in Perth.
And the midfielder admits fellow Scottish Cup winner Steven MacLean will be a hard act to follow after he signed off with a hat-trick last weekend.
That 5-1 win over Motherwell was MacLean’s farewell as the striker is suspended for the visit of Ross County today. But Millar and keeper Alan Mannus, who were also part of the team that lifted the Cup in 2014, will take a final bow in front of the fans.
And Millar joked: “Macca’s put me under a bit of pressure.
“It was great to see him finish like that. Scoring a hat-trick was incredible. He has been fantastic.
“Will I be emotional? I think so. I want to sign off in style and thank the fans for all the support they’ve given me.
“It will be good to share it with Alan because he’s a special guy and has been a great friend.
“He’s a bit of a prankster as well. On a Christmas night out he ordered me a massive chilli baguette with jalapenos.
“I was that drunk I got halfway through it without flinching and then the next thing the sweats started.”
Boss Tommy Wright hopes the Saints fans turn out in their numbers to pay tribute to the long-serving duo.
He said: “I would like to think they will turn out in strength to show their appreciation and give them a good send-off.” CRYSTAL PALACE will mark John Motson’s final fixture as a commentator with a presentation led by boss Roy Hodgson.
The 72-year-old’s career will conclude after 50 years when Palace take on West Brom tomorrow.
In the presentation that follows his side’s lap of honour at Selhurst Park, manager Hodgson will hand Motson a gift to commemorate his career.
The Match of the Day icon is to retire after covering six World Cup finals and 29 FA Cup finals.
He received an OBE for services to sports broadcasting in 2001.