Elated Staggies preparing for their greatest campaign ever
Published:
It had been approaching two years since Ross County last beat their Highland-rivals, but it wasn’t just the wait that made the Staggies’ long-coming victory over Inverness Caledonian Thistle sweet.
In beating Caley 2-1 in their own backyard in the League Cup, a first-ever spot in the competition’s semi-finals was booked.
If a simple last-four place was cause for celebration then, by the time the campaign is through, Dingwall could well be a spot of sheer delirium.
Their history-making semi-final aside, Jim McIntyre’s team are also on course to record their best season in the top-flight.
Sat in fourth spot on goal difference from Hamilton Academical, the Staggies are just five points off third and can start wondering if dreams of a highest ever finish in Scotland’s top-flight may become reality.
The fifth spot they achieved in 2012/13, their first season after claiming the Ladbrokes Championship title, is the benchmark they need to surpass. Already, they have three more points after 12 games this term than they did back then.
Over the next four games comes a test in the form of the league’s top two – Celtic at home and Aberdeen away – however interspersed with those outings are fixtures against two of the division’s bottom three.
Aberdeen’s faded form is well documented – the Staggies actually benefited from it two weeks ago – while Motherwell and Dundee United are winless in a combined 13 league outings.
It’s the Terrors McIntyre must prepare for next and Ladbrokes make his men 7/5 shots to win on the road.
For now though, the boss will likely allow himself a small celebration to toast the record he has just helped set in the League Cup.
Celtic, still to play their quarter final, remain in the hat but, beyond the Bhoys, nobody else is given a better chance of lifting the trophy than 9/2-Ross County. This really could be a great season.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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