On-loan Wimbledon defender Will Nightingale looking for Ross County to show what they are capable of after Staggies move into position to avoid Premiership relegation play-off
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Will Nightingale says Ross County know that they are good enough to stay in the Scottish Premiership – as long as they play at their best over the final weeks of the season.
Staggies supporters could have been forgiven for feeling cautious going into Saturday’s match against Hibernian, having seen a triumphant victory over Rangers followed up by a drab defeat away at Livingston.
However, County would once again make good on home advantage, securing a comeback win over the Hibees.
Those three points lifted the Dingwall outfit out of the relegation play-off place for the first time in 2024, and Nightingale believes there is a confidence around the group that, as long as standards remain high, they will be fine.
“We know we have the ability to turn up in games, it’s just about getting that consistency which over the course of the season has probably let us down,” Nightingale explained.
“The gaffer has come in and done a brilliant job, so we have come in and made it a bit of a fortress at home, which is how it should be. That should give us confidence for the last three games.
“We know what we’re capable of, it’s just about going out and showing that. Nothing is done yet, Saturday was brilliant for the club and the fans – and we’ve given them a few of these days recently – but we can’t celebrate yet.
“We are more than good enough to stay in the league, but it’s one thing to say that and another to do it.
“We know what we are capable of, and it’s about showing that because we don’t want to be talking, we want to do it on the pitch. We know what we can bring to the table, so if we deliver that we will be more than fine.
“If we focus on ourselves, the rest will take care of itself. We go on to the next game now, and if we bring our best we know that will be good enough.”
For Nightingale personally, Saturday was a nice moment as he made his return from an injury that had kept him on the sidelines for three months.
Much of his rehabilitation had taken place down at parent club Wimbledon, but Nightingale was desperate to get back to the Highlands to help County’s cause at the end of the season.
“I was itching to be back with the boys,” he reasoned.
“I missed the boys and I was staying in touch with them when I was down there, so it’s nice to be back, and now I want to finish on a positive for the club.
“At the midway point of the season, I felt like I hadn’t really delivered what I know I can. I thought I had done well, but in terms of bringing what I know I can on a consistent basis, there was more to come.
“I want to give my all for this club, and I think people can tell I’m genuine with that – I’m not just here to make up the numbers, or here for a laugh. When you’re in these positions, the more people with that attitude the better.
“Saturday was my first game for the new gaffer, and I was itching to play for him because he’s got so much respect and knowledge in the game.
“He’s the sort of man you want to get yourself on the pitch and work hard for, so at the end of the day I’ll always give everything I can to hold my head high.”
Nightingale will not be alone in feeling desperate to help preserve County’s top flight status, but he thinks that if and when safety is secured, the club can go on to achieve greater things in the future.
Much can be made of the geographical and budgetary disadvantages that the Staggies face in the Premiership, but as far as Nightingale is concerned that should serve as motivation rather than setting limits on what Ross County can do.
“We’re the sort of club that has to stick together, and it has got that feel about it right now,” he added.
“Obviously it’s one of the smaller clubs in the league, but that’s where it can turn into a special club where everybody is brought closer together.
“We are seen as the underdog, but I think that should be our driving force. It has to drive us to get to the next level, because I think it’s a club that is always striving to be better.
“That’s got to be the aim – to keep improving and growing as a club – and I think we have the potential to make those strides.
“Obviously to do that, we need to deliver on the pitch first and foremost.”
