Captain Jack Baldwin wants to play at Hampden with Ross County as they prepare for Scottish Cup quest at Hamilton Academical
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CAPTAIN Jack Baldwin says it is one of his ambitions to lead out Ross County in a Scottish Cup game at Hampden Park.
The Staggies are in Scottish Cup action on Saturday as they will be heavy favourites to defeat Hamilton Academical at the Fountain of Youth Stadium.
Hamilton are rock bottom of the Championship as they are four points adrift of the teams above them.
Ross County are in their own relegation fight in the Premiership as they are three points adrift of the rest of the top flight.
Despite their fight for survival in the Premiership being their first priority, Baldwin says a good run in the Scottish Cup is of significant importance to the Staggies.
With Ross County winning the League Cup in 2016 and recording a famous win in the Scottish Cup in 2010 against Celtic before losing 3-0 to Dundee United in the final, Baldwin wants to add another Hampden date for the Staggies.
“I don’t think you can write off any cup competition,” says Baldwin.
“For me personally this is a chance to play at the national stadium and win a bit of silverware for the club.
“The Premiership is our priority, but that is not something we are actively focussing on. “We believe we have enough at the club to get us out of where we are.
“A nice cup run would be a good distraction from the league, but this is a chance for us to build momentum going into the Kilmarnock game after that.”
Ross County have yet to win since the World Cup break, but did come from behind to draw 1–1 at Motherwell last weekend.
Baldwin says despite only picking up a point, his team showed they had what it takes to avoid the drop.
“We have a great bunch that work hard for the club,” he said.
“The cup game is a chance to build a bit of momentum going into the next league match against Kilmarnock.
“But the Scottish Cup match with Hamilton is a game that we will take seriously.
“The manager, players and the club all want to progress into the competition and gain momentum going into the week after.”
