Adams challenges players to step out and shine against champions
DEREK Adams has assembled a group of players brimming with a belief they can perform at the highest level — and is challenging them to step out at Celtic and prove it.
The Ross County manager’s rallying call ahead of a potential wallflower appearance at Celtic’s title party tomorrow was for each and every one of his troops to show they can compete against the best in the country.
There is no shortage of pedigree in the Highland club’s ranks these days with the likes of Slovakia international Filip Kiss rubbing shoulders with Blackburn Rovers’ Jordan Slew and Yann Songo’o and ex-Celtic lads Michael Tidser and Graham Carey.
Others like Greek full-back Evangelos Oikonomou, Slovakian counterpart Erik Cikos and goalkeeper Mark Brown have clocked up countless top level appearances in their respective homelands.
Irrespective of previous clubs, though, County have an abundance of players who have performed on the big stage in the past — and Adams has no doubt they can do it again.
Achieving a result against the rampant, newly-crowned champions will be a different matter but the County boss wants his team to be fiercely competitive at Celtic Park.
Adams said: “It doesn’t help us at all that Celtic are preparing for a party. They will be playing with a freedom having won the title. They can go and express themselves and enjoy the day.
“We will have to be on top of our game to take anything because they have really good exciting players.
“I’m delighted for Neil Lennon because he has had a difficult time of it in stages during his managerial career.
“But we have good players in our squad, players who believe they can play at that level.
“It gives them the licence to go and show it on the big stage, playing against the best in the country.
“That’s the message, really. We have players who have come from clubs like Blackburn Rovers, Cardiff City and one from Bratislava.
“They have all played at a very high level and they will want to show they can perform at the top level again.
“This gives them the platform to go and show what they can do.
“We want to be competitive down at Celtic Park and we want to be solid. But we also want top try and create chances.
“We’ve done it before. Can we do it again?”
Adams will stress the importance of concentration and solidity to his players given the rich variety of threat Celtic pose going forward.
But he is also determined his side will carve an opportunity or two to give themselves a fighting chance of snatching a surprise result.
He said: “I’m delighted with the progress we have made defensively. I think we look solid. Cikos, Boyd, Songo’o and Oikonomou have done really well.
“That has helped us move forwards and Mark Brown made a couple of very good saves the other night as well.
“All in all, I’m delighted with the way we are performing. Going into the last seven games, that is important.
“And it is important you go and score goals as well.
“It is important we keep on picking up points before the split. Our target now is seventh, and it is a realistic target.”
Adams is still without Stuart Kettlewell through injury as well as fringe Dutchmen Darren Maatsen and Marc Klok.
