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Ross County boss Neale Cooper has warned his side to keep their cool as the Second Division promotion race hots up.
The second-top Highlanders play host to second-bottom Stenhousemuir at Victoria Park this afternoon, determined to put some pressure on leaders Clyde.
Cooper said: "It's a mad league. We've lost to Stirling Albion three times, but then they've lost to Clyde three times. There seems to be a shock result every week.
"To be fair to Clyde, they seem to have put a run together and pulled away a bit, but everyone else appears to be fighting against each other for second and third place. The good thing for us at the moment is that we seem to be getting all our players back fit again, but there is still a lot of expectation at the club.
"Everyone seems to want to beat us because we're the North side in the league and we've got the full-time players. But we must remember that we are the new team in the division.
"What we're looking for now is hard-working performances from everyone at the club and for the flair players to produce that bit extra that can give us the edge."
County could hand a debut to Livingston loan signing Craig Feroz and Derek Holmes has been added to the squad.
Ross County aim to open up the Second Division title race tonight by doing what no other side has done in more than four months of league business – beat leaders Clyde.
The Broadwood men have not lost since October 23 when a last-minute Alloa goal consigned them to just their fourth league defeat of the season.
Since then, the Bully Wee have gone on a remarkable 13-match unbeaten run in the league allowing them to open up a nine-point lead at the top of the table going into tonight's match at Victoria Park, Dingwall.
County boss Neale Cooper said: "It's a massive game for us. Clyde have done so well this season. They're well organised, good going forward and a very difficult side to beat.
"We want to win and, hopefully, we can try and peg them back a bit in the league. They're the only side that has really done it consistently in the league this season.
"Others, ourselves included, seem to be shooting each other in the foot and taking points off each other. The next month is going to be a big one for every side in the league."
County will add Derek Holmes to the squad and could hand a belated debut to Craig Feroz, who signed up on a month-long loan from Livingston last week.
Cooper said: "Craig has been training with the lads for the past week, getting his fitness up, and he looks good."
Clyde will have strikers Brian Carrigan and Steve Convery back in their squad, but Craig Cranmer is still out.
Boss Alan Maitland has set Clyde a simple target for the rest of the season.
"I told the players earlier in the season that 60 points will win us promotion and that remains the target.
"We're unbeaten in 13 matches and 10 of them have been wins, so if we can keep it going, we might reach that target. Only after that will I talk to anyone about us winning the title."
County may call for a pitch inspection today in the event of heavy overnight rain. Clyde travelled to Dingwall last night.
Ross County's promotion hopes could hinge on their results in the next seven days but manager Neale Cooper refuses to feel the pressure.
A double-header against fourth-placed Alloa, starting today in Dingwall, and then another match against leaders Clyde could all but determine the outcome of the league.
County, currently lying in third place in the Second Division, are one point ahead of today's rivals but, with Alloa holding two games in hand, it is a crucial time for the North side's hopes.
The two teams are scheduled to meet again at Recreation Park on Tuesday before County travel to Broadwood next Saturday.
The Dingwall team's cause will not be made any easier today with doubts over midfielders Steve Ferguson and Frank Escalon, as well as influential goalkeeper Nicky Walker.
With several others also awaiting fitness checks this morning Cooper could easily have lowered supporters' expectations for the match, but the former Aberdeen star is, as always, optimistic about County's chances.
He said: "We are not looking too far ahead, only at this game with Alloa, the others will take care of themselves.
"We face Alloa twice in the space of four days and then we play Clyde again after that and they will all be important games for us.
"Alloa have a lot of midweek games coming up and they could be playing Tuesday, Saturday until the end of the season, but some teams prefer to play that way as it keeps the momentum going.
"I know Alloa are only a point behind but we won't be looking at what they can do, what we do is more important."
Alloa will give a debut to former Airdrie midfielder Gerry Farrell, who was signed from the Diamonds on Thursday.
The former Ross County player cost a nominal fee and has signed a deal until the end of next season.
Alloa assistant manager Brian Fairley admits this week's double-header will go a long way to deciding the promotion race.
He said: "It is just the way these things go. We have such a backlog of fixtures that we had to play them again soon.
"If we can win against County it will be a big, big result for us. Really it is a six-pointer and a crunch week for both clubs.
"If we win then we will move above County with a few games in hand. But we are under no illusion as to how hard it is going to be.
"They have a big squad to choose from, although they have had troubles with inconsistency. Clyde are doing well at the top of the league and, although we want to win the title, promotion is out main aim for this season."
Mark Wilson is the only doubt for the Wasps.
Ross County want to make Alloa manager Terry Christie eat his words when the sides meet tonight in a Second Division grudge match at Recreation Park.
The Wasps twice came from two goals down to claim a dramatic 4-3 win on Saturday in Dingwall.
However, Victoria Park boss Neale Cooper admits the County camp was unhappy with comments made afterwards by Christie dismissing the Highlanders as a force in the league.
Cooper said: "I heard Mr Christie on the radio after the match saying there were only two teams in the league – themselves and Clyde.
"I think that was unjustified, because we try to play football and so do a few other teams in the league. If he wants to say that then fine, he's entitled to his opinions, but a few of the players heard it and we'll be out to show what we can do."
County's mounting injury problems mean that midfielder John McGlashan could be plunged into his first start in six months, with Dave Mackay also poised to return.
Cooper added: "It's very frustrating because things were looking good against Stranraer a couple of weeks ago and seemed to be falling into place.
"Derek Ferguson, Frank Escalon and John Fraser were all looking good in the midfield and suddenly they're all out. It's a real kick in the teeth when these things happen, but it happens to teams."
French midfielder Escalon will see a specialist later today over his ongoing viral infection. George Shaw is also doubtful. But despite taking just one point from recent meetings with Clyde and Alloa, Cooper claims his side will be up for the match.
He said: "We had all the boys in on Sunday after the match with Alloa. When I look through the six goals we lost in both these matches, probably five were preventable.
"It's a kick in the teeth, but the fans have to realise that it disappoints us as much as it does them. We've got to get things lifted for the match against Alloa, though, and we will do it."
The Wasps will be without new signing and ex-County player Gerry Farrell who has a calf knock, while Derek Clark (thigh strain) also misses out.
Wasps assistant boss Brian Fairley said: "We feel we got out of jail in Dingwall on Saturday, because they were probably the better side for two thirds of the game and when they scored their third goal, we didn't really think we'd get anything from the game.
"It was a fortunate victory and they will be fired up coming down here."
Ross County captain Brian Irvine wants to win promotion to the First Division to help silence the critics who have put his manager Neale Cooper under pressure.
The former Aberdeen and Dundee defender believes that the quality of player that Cooper has attracted to Dingwall has meant that they have had to carry the mantle of Second Division favourites.
Irvine reckons that instead of criticism, Cooper should be given credit for taking County from the Third Division to the verge of the First in two seasons.
These promotion credentials could be underlined tonight with victory over Stenhousemuir which would move them into second place behind Clyde.
Irvine said: "If we finish with promotion it will be a good high with all the criticism that has been levelled at us this season.
"Our goal at the start of the season was to win the league and if we can't achieve that we would take promotion.
"It doesn't really matter what other people think because we have put a lot of pressure on ourselves to win the league and outside views are not really that important.
"To go from the Third Division to the First Division is a tall order but it is one we are more than capable of achieving.
"Promotion is now in our own hands and if we win our games in hand we can create a gap over the other challengers."
The former Scotland international has also been pleasantly surprised with the quality of the teams in the lower leagues.
He said: "I'm enjoying the challenge and it is good to be playing in the team every week. When you lose that you know that it's not worth playing on.
"At this stage of my career I have to enjoy it and make the most of it because I don't know how many seasons I have left.
"Hopefully, I am helping others around me like Ian Maxwell improve as players and at the end of the season, hopefully, we can achieve our goal of promotion together."
Irvine reckons that not having to face Clyde and Alloa Athletic in the league means that County have an advantage in the fixture run-in, but he is taking nothing for granted.
He said: "We were happy with the point at the end of the game on Saturday but we went to Clyde looking for the win.
"We are now in a good position because we don't need to play Clyde and Alloa this season. They are still our main challengers.
"I think we still have to play Stenhousemuir three times and these are the sort of matches we must be looking to win if we are to clinch promotion."
Ross County manager Neale Cooper reckons his team has been lacking a cutting edge in recent weeks and he has warned his strikers their futures are on the line unless they start making things happen.
The Victoria Park boss is alarmed that his side has struggled to create and take its chances and he has told his players they must rectify the situation starting with tonight's league match at Stenhousemuir.
Despite the apparent lack of goals, County know that victory against Stenny at Ochilview will move them up to second place in the Second Division table.
County will be looking to build on a solid defensive display which earned a goalless draw with league leaders Clyde at Broadwood on Saturday.
Cooper said: "I was very pleased with our defensive performance against Clyde on Saturday but what disappointed me was our attacking play.
"We fought well and battled hard but we still need the strikers to hold the ball up a bit more and to offer us something different.
"We seem to be lacking someone with a bit of pace who can put dangerous balls into the box or give us that extra spark.
"I am talking to one or two clubs at the moment to try and bring in a couple of faces before the transfer deadline."
The Dingwall manager was full of praise for young goalkeeper Gary Hamilton's recent performances, as he continues to deputise for the injured Nicky Walker.
"Young Gary had a tremendous game on Saturday and he made some important stops to keep us in the game," added the Ross County boss.
"To be fair, he has been outstanding in our last two matches and I'm sure he will have a big future in the game.
"Nicky Walker is still not feeling right and his experience will be vital to us when he returns but, in the meantime, Gary is playing his part."
County will be without the services of on-loan Livingston midfielder Craig Feroz who is out with an ankle knock.
He will watch the match from the sidelines with long-term injury victims Derek Ferguson, Frank Escalon, Davie Ross and Walker.
Stenhousemuir know that every point between now and the end of the season is vital if they want to maintain their Second Division status.
The Warriors gained a point with a late Colin McKinnon header at Arbroath at the weekend, but they still sit only three points above bottom of the league Queen of the South.
Stenny manager Graeme Armstrong said: "I was pleased with the Arbroath result under the circumstances.
"The team are tired but we will have to lift it again for what will be a hard game with Ross County. They are going well and we'll have to be at our best.
"We have to try and get as many points on the board as we can because the relegation battle is so tight, and will probably go down to the wire."
Defender Brian Welsh returns after injury and will come into contention along with Graeme Fraser.
Ross County manager Neale Cooper hopes to enlist a striker before next week's signing deadline.
The Dingwall club needs to find a replacement for the unfortunate Steve Ferguson, who was carried off after breaking an ankle in Tuesday night's 2-0 win over Stenhousemuir at Ochilview.
The former Dunfermline player will out for the six weeks.
Manager Cooper said: "Fergie's ankle will be in plaster for the rest of the season.
"It's very unsettling as he's scored five goals in the last six games but, luckily, George Shaw and Derek Holmes are looking sharp up front.
"I hope to sign a forward before the transfer deadline next week to tide us through until the end of the season."
Meanwhile, the County manager is happy with new boy Craig Taggart, signed from Stirling Albion only hours before Tuesday's Ochilview match.
He said: "We had been tracking Craig for quite some time and it all came together just before the Stenny game. He was a leader in the middle of the park on Tuesday and I'm sure he'll settle in well up here.
"In addition, we gave Steve Boyle a run-out for the last 10 minutes after we managed to secure him on loan for the rest of the season from Dunfermline and he showed good pace on the left flank."
Cooper added that Frank Escalon, battling to recover from a virus, managed a little light training yesterday morning.
Midfielder Craig Taggart wants to make up for the disappointment of blowing promotion with Stirling Albion by clinching the Second Division title with Ross County.
The 27-year-old, who was signed for a nominal fee from Stirling during the week, made a winning debut against Stenhousemuir and hopes to back that up with a victory over fellow promotion-chasers Arbroath in Angus today. Taggart, who played for Clydebank in the First Division last season, admitted that getting the chance to team up with former coach Gordon Chisholm was a factor in his switch to the Dingwall side.
He said: "I knew about the move four or five weeks ago when the swap with Craig Tully was on the cards, but that fell through and I thought it was finished until County resurrected the deal on Monday. The defeats against Arbroath and Hamilton a couple of weeks ago probably cost Albion any chance of promotion.
"I thought my chances of getting promotion had gone then until Neale Cooper made his move. I have signed for the rest of the season and the manager has told me that if I do well there is a contract on the table for me.
"It is up to me to do the business on the park and hopefully we'll continue our recent run to make sure of First Division football next season."
Taggart has won two titles, with Stirling and Falkirk, and he aims to make it three by pipping Clyde to the Second Division honours.
"I am looking for a hat-trick of title wins and I don't think that is beyond us," added the former Falkirk player.
"I know Clyde are eight points in front but if we can win seven out of our last eight we can do it.
"I'll be looking for my old teammates at Stirling to do me a favour against Clyde. This is probably the most ambitious club I have played for, despite playing with Falkirk in the First Division, because the club has ideas well beyond the First Division.
"The chairman, Roy MacGregor, has a tremendous vision for the club and I'm sure they'll be playing in the Premier League within the next few seasons."
County boss Cooper will be without Steve Ferguson, Nicky Walker, Frank Escalon and Kenny Gilbert for the Gayfield clash.
Arbroath include new signing Robbie Raeside in their squad after they signed him from Dundee.
That deal was financed by the sale of full back John Gallagher to Queen of the South.
Defenders Jon Crawford, David Arbuckle, Andy Somerville and Scott Peters are banned for the Angus side.
Ross county defender Mark Duthie is out for a quickfire return to the First Division because he knows it will improve his chances of winning a long-term contract.
Manager Neale Cooper bought out the full back's Ayr United contract earlier in the season and his short-term County deal is due to expire in the summer.
The Victoria Park men are lying in second place in Division 2 with seven games remaining, including tonight's home clash with strugglers Stenhousemuir.
Duthie said: "It is important that we back up the Arbroath victory with a win against Stenhousemuir. We beat them at Ochilview last Tuesday but we know we can't be complacent.
"They are scrapping for everything because they are still in relegation trouble and they'll be up for it. We will have to match them.
"Leaders Clyde have a bit of a gap on the rest but, if we keep working hard and show the same spirit and determination as we did in the weekend win against Arbroath, we won't be far away. Alloa have two games in hand over us but they have a difficult match at Arbroath, so it is important that we take the points."
Duthie reckons on current form County should get promotion but they still have not given up hope of catching Clyde.
"Obviously, we would prefer to go up as champions but, for a club of Ross County's stature, promotion is a must," he said. "Going up is what all the players and management team are striving for and it would definitely help my cause.
"My contract with the club is up at the end of the season. I'm hoping that if I play well and we get promotion I will get a new deal."
The full back reckons County's Gayfield win all but ends Arbroath's hopes of grabbing one of the three promotion places, but he still reckons they will have a major influence on the final standings.
He said: "They are now nine points behind ourselves and, realistically, you would have to say it will now be between Clyde, Alloa, Partick Thistle and ourselves for the three promotion places.
"But they will still have a massive part to play in the run-in because they play Alloa back-to-back and they still have to play Partick Thistle and Clyde."
County manager Cooper will be without the suspended Craig Tully but is expected to go with the same squad.
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