The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Staggies urged to be wary of Tangerines
PREMIERSHIP: Former United man warns County to beware fighting qualities
Michael Gardyne has warned his Ross County team-mates to beware Dundee United’s fighting qualities.
The ex-Tannadice midfielder played with a number of the Tangerines’ side and is expecting them to show the same hunger in the Highlands on Saturday as they did against Hearts last weekend.
He said: “Dundee United will be buoyant after their win against Hearts.
“That will be a massive game followed by Killie next Tuesday, so these are the games we’re looking at. If we can win these then we are almost in the top six after the split.
“They’ve won four out of seven and three from their last five, though.
“I know a lot of the boys there and the fighting qualities they have.
“You have the diggers like John Rankin, and Paul Paton, while Ryan Dow is also a fantastic player. “They will all be pulling together. “They are a good team and they play good football.
“They have just lost some sloppy goals and that’s why they are in this situation, but I’m sure they will be coming up here confident. We need to be ready for them.”
County’s goals are very different to United’s, with a top six finish in the league their aim.
Gardyne added: “Before Saturday’s game (against Hamilton) we had seven fixtures left before the split and we feel that we need to win more than half to secure a top six place.
“To win the first of those seven was massive for us.
“It wasn’t a great game because the pitch wasn’t great due to the bad weather and it is never easy against Hamilton. It was a really good win.
“After going down to 10 men, the players dug deep and it was a great goal from Ian McShane to win it.
“We have a great squad and dressingroom spirit and that showed again on Saturday.
“When you get pegged back to 1-1 when you have 10 men you think Hamilton might go on and win the game but we did superbly well to come through it.”