The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
County is focus but Scotland could call
Dingwall: Fox hunt for caps is on hold in Staggies hot season
Ross County goalkeeper Scott Fox’s Scotland ambitions are on hold, with full focus on a place in the top six and cup competitions with the Staggies.
In November 2013, Fox’s form with Partick Thistle earned national squad selection from Gordon Strachan for friendly matches against the United States and Norway, although he did not play in either game.
Strachan will select separate squads for next month’s friendlies against the Czech Republic and Denmark and Fox’s impressive form since his summer move to Dingwall means the 28-year-old could be considered.
But club matters are taking priority, with County fourth in the Premiership and having a League Cup final against Hibernian to look forward to.
Ahead of today’s home game against Hamilton Accies, Fox said: “Scotland was one of my aims at the start of the season but right now I’ve just got the blinkers on, it’s all about the club. I want to make sure we achieve whatwe are capable of this season.
“It wouldn’t be so good if we didn’t finish where we wanted to be in the league and if it doesn’t happen for us in the cups. It’s a big month ahead and I’ll see how it goes after that. Everything else will fall into place if we keep doing well as a team and individually. Scotland selection is out of my control and I can only help this club.”
County have fallen 11 points behind third-placed Hearts and have played two games more. Fox concedes catching the Jambos is beyond the Staggies, but he reckons a top-six finish would still mark a fine achievement, given last season’s ninth-place finish.
He added: “I wouldn’t say Hearts are in our sights. We’ve always had a plan to reach the top six – that was the ambition. We would have taken this position at the start of the season. We have six or seven games left before the split and, if we can win a good few of those, I hope we can see it through.
“I’m really happy with how the move has worked out and everything is positive. We have the cup final to look forward to next month but we must first put our focus on the league games.”
“I’ve just got the blinkers on, it’s all about the club”