A sore loss but Franks focuses on big prize

The Cup Final is the ideal game to pick us up. We look forward now

AS they begin the biggest week of their careers, guilt, self-loathing and incredulity are scarcely the emotions that Jim McIntyre’s Ross County players will have wanted to be feeling. Doubtless, long before kick-off in next Sunday’s League Cup Final with Hibs at Hampden, such negativity will have been long forgotten. But it will still take some time for the manner of their Scottish Cup exit to Dundee United to work through their systems. A goal and a man to the good after 60 minutes in Dingwall, County only had to keep United pinned into the tightest of corners to progress to the semi-finals of the tournament. Whether it was fatigue, complacency or just more to do with the Tannadice side’s commendable display in that final half-hour, there was a palpable sense of bewilderment in the County ranks that defeat had been snatched from the jaws of victory. ‘It’s a sore one,’ midfielder Jonathan Franks grimaced. ‘We just had to see the game out really. ‘We were 2-1 up and they were down to 10 men. We allowed them back into the game and their tails were up. ‘They got their goal and have then gone for the win. Credit to them for getting the third goal, but we’ve got to see the game out from that position. ‘It’s not the ideal start to the week coming up, but we know we’ve got to fully concentrate on the game next Sunday and forget about this.’ If there was the slightest trace of complacency shown on Saturday, it could be argued that this stinging loss will sharpen the minds and intensify the focus of the Dingwall men for a game which they should really be starting as favourites. ‘It’s a Cup Final — anything can happen in it — so we’ve got to move on,’ added the 25-year-old Englishman. ‘In a way, it’s the ideal game to pick us up. ‘Win, lose or draw today, next week would have taken care of itself. We would also have forgotten about the league form. ‘We’ve got to look forward now. We’ve got the Cup Final and then we need to look at the league after that.’ If County are planning on getting away from it all for a few days — as Hibs are doing by going to Spain — then someone has forgotten to tell manager McIntyre’s players. Franks fully expects it to be business as usual in the coming days, but that is not to say that the importance of what lies ahead is being lost on any of his team-mates. ‘As far as I know, it’s just a normal week for us in which we’ll be fully focused on the Final,’ he said. ‘We’ll prepare for it all week. I don’t really prefer any one preparation to another. They all have their ups and downs. ‘We’re just sticking to what we know and we are fully focused on the game. ‘We just want to get out there as soon as possible and do our best to win the game. We’ve got to try to move on and focus on next weekend.’ Having seen their Highland rivals Inverness Caley Thistle on the winners’ podium at Hampden last May when they lifted the Scottish Cup for the first time in their history, the chance for County to now grab the limelight could scarcely be more appealing. With Hibs lying in wait, it is not just a case of an established Premiership side in County facing one from the Championship. But, with a win against Celtic in the semi-final under their belts, it is indeed remarkable that a club who only left the Highland League in 1994 will travel south under such a weight of expectation. ‘The semi-final was a little bit of a taster of going to Hampden and being on that big stage,’ Franks added. ‘This is obviously a step further and it’s up there with the biggest games in the club’s history. ‘I’m proud to be part of it and, hopefully, we can go one better this time and bring the Cup home. ‘Have I been surprised at Hibs’ wobble recently? Yes and no. We’ve had our ups and downs as well. ‘They are a good club with a good set-up, but every team will have a blip in form. I’m sure they will come through it. ‘The Final will take care of itself. It doesn’t matter who is the form team or who isn’t. It’s who is best on the day.’