Staggies boss: ‘i’m delighted, butwe need more belief’
Stuart Kettlewell reckons a wee bit of extra belief in front of goal could have seen Ross County grasp full points against Hibs.
The Staggi es boss was satisfied with a “good” point against the Edinburgh outfit but lamented a lack of a killer touch.
He also demanded better discipline from within the ranks after losing right-back Connor Randall to a red card late in the match.
That followed red cards for Iain Vigurs and Carl Tremarco already this season.
Kettle well said :“I think it’s a good result for us. Being down to 10 men, we were delighted with the clean sheet and delighted with the point.
“I thought it was a reasonable 0–0 and we got into reasonable opportunities to score goals ourselves, as well as their chances.
“We knew we were playing against a potent attack with the two strikers and the threat that they have down the right- hand side with Martin Boyle.
“I think Hibs are a team that probably strike a bit of fear into the opposition with the attacking options that they have, so from that point of view the clean sheet is a big tick for me.
“We were clinging on a bit towards the end, so that’s when you take your point and move on.
“We spoke to the players after the match, it’s just about having that wee bit more belief or maybe with the right decisions to carve out even better opportunities.
“The pleasing bit is that we’re getting into those areas of the pitch, we just need those final decisions to be on point.”
Kettlewell was impressed by midfield dynamo Charlie Lakin’s contribution as the Birmingham City loanee settles into life in Dingwall.
He stressed: “He comes from good pedigree.
“He’s a lad that we like, he has a lot of energy and a lovely left foot, and I think he will only get stronger for us.
“He has had an impact in the couple of games he has played for us so far.
“Hopefully he will go on and do well for us, because he has the quality to help our team.”
Kettlewell, though, didn’t make much of Ross Stewart’s penalty claim for County.
He added: “I haven’t seen it back, but I’m led to believe from those that have upstairs that they didn’t think it was, having seen the replay.
“I’ll be honest and say it’s not.
“We think we had a shout for one with Charlie Lakin in the first half, he let a shot go and I think the defender comes in and cannons into him.
“There were a couple of shouts for one or two our way, but the referee had a pretty decent game.”