Trial by TV won’t faze Laidlaw in County’s opener
Ross County keeper, Ross Laidlaw, has watched several high-profile shotstoppers wish they were back in lockdown after being caught out behind closed doors.
Manchester United’s David de Gea was the most-notable casualty when he gifted Chelsea two goals in their 3-1 FA Cup semi-final victory.
The normally-reliable Spanish international may have escaped the jeers of the fans at a deserted Wembley, but his howlers were witnessed by millions on TV.
County will be subjected to trial by television at the Global Energy Stadium tomorrow when they kick-off their Premiership campaign.
But 28-year-old Laidlaw is refusing to allow what has happened to others to get in his head .
“It’s not something I would want to dwell on,” he stressed.
“I suppose goalkeepers are at a disadvantage compared to outfield players because our mistakes are highlighted more, and we’ve seen a few being made by keepers in England recently.
“After a decent preseason, however, I hope I can take that into the games coming up, and put down my marker.”
Laidlaw also underlined the importance of the Staggies getting off to a winning start, the same as last year when they took three goals off Hamilton in their Premiership curtain-raiser.
He said: “It’s good that we are kicking off with a home game. Our home form wasn’t really a problem last season.
“It was away from home that we let ourselves down, and we have to focus on collecting more points on the road.
“Not that Motherwell is anything other than a tough start after the season they had, finishing third to our 10th.”
One factor Laidlaw believes the Staggies have in their favour is the closeness of their squad.
“The players have a strong bond, and that also applies to our relationship with the fans and the club staff,” said the Livingstonborn goalie.
“We spend time together away from the club. I think that’s down to a lot of us having moved to the area, and not having family nearby.”
Laidlaw has made a complete recovery after being sidelined for six months in 2015.
He suffered a torn kidney in a training ground accident, when he was caught by a Raith Rovers team-mate’s elbow, and required surgery.
He’s hoping it doesn’t take quite so long to become used to dealing with the new normal of football without the fans.
“We just have to adapt and motivate ourselves from within,” he said
“At least it’s a level playing field, as it’s the same for all clubs.”