Highland derby encounter has Irvine on the edge

Ross County midfielder Jackson Irvine is eagerly anticipating the first senior derby of his career in Sunday’s encounter against Highland rivals Caley Thistle.

Irvine has impressed since joining the Staggies on loan from Celtic in the final hours of the summer transfer window, and produced a man of the match performance in an unaccustomed central defensive role to help County beat Dundee 2-1 on Saturday.

The 21-year-old believes the Dingwall side will be buoyedby getting their first Premiership points of the season, although the Australia international admits Inverness are favourites for the Caledonian Stadium encounter.

Irvine said: “I've played inmany Old Firm games in youth teams at Celtic, but this will be something different – my first senior level derby – so I'm really looking forward to it.

“The win on Saturday takes us into it with a great deal of confidence.

“We know we're playing Celtic after the international break and we really want to take somemomentum into that one.

“I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing, if people are not expecting us to do much.

“We will be approaching it in the same manner we've approached every game so far.

“I know we're capable of winning. I've said since I first got here I know this team has a lot more to give and a lot more to show.

“Hopefully, starting on Sunday, wecanbegin toput together a good run of results.”

Former County manager Derek Adams signed 13 players in the summer prior to last week’s signing of defender Lewis Toshney by his successor JimMcIntyreandIrvine isoneof several Staggies players who could make their maiden Highland derby appearance this weekend.

Irvine added: “Itwill be a new experience for a lot of us, but that just makes it all the more exciting. It gives everyone that extra bit when they almost don't know what to expect.

“We’ll go in really determined to get something.”