Ross County boss McIntyre wary of Killie strike pair
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ROSS County boss Jim McIntyre is not falling into the trap of writing any side off – including Saturday’s Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership hosts Kilmarnock.
After being outclassed in 4-0 and 2-0 defeats by Dundee and Aberdeen to start the season, Killie – along with Hamilton – were tipped by many pundits as the two clubs most likely to be battling against the drop.
However, fighting back twice for successive 2-2 draws against Celtic last Wednesday then Partick Thistle on Saturday made folk eat their words.
Now, ahead of County’s trip to Rugby Park, McIntyre stressed: "It is foolish to write anybody off at this stage. People tipped Hamilton for relegation. Who knows what is going to happen?
"You let the league settle down for the first quarter of games and then you start to see a wee picture.
"But I don’t think there will be a team that gets detached this season. Looking at the results so far, Hamilton went and beat Dundee United 4-0, Kilmarnock drew with Celtic and then got a great point at Thistle late on in the match. It just shows you, it is fine margins.
"That’s what it is at this level and it’s about making sure you don’t make mistakes and you punish others when they make theirs."
And former Rangers and Scotland striker Kris Boyd had come under fire for failing to shine since his return – but he buried the header home against Partick to earn Killie a precious point on Saturday.
McIntyre reckons Boyd isn’t the only one the County defenders will keep their eyes on.
He said: "Boydy is a goalscorer. Put service in the box and he will score goals. You give him any space, any time, you know it will end up in the back of the net.
"But they have other good players as well – a real handful in Josh Magennis for example. He stretches you which leaves space for the three he’s been playing behind.
"They are all quick and good with the ball at feet. Killie have their threats and we need to snuff that out and make sure we’re imposing our game on to them."
Two wins at Killie last season will give the Staggies confidence for the weekend.
The Victoria Park manager explained: "We did well on the road last season. In fact our away form was the better of the two until we sorted out home form towards the last couple of months of the season.
"You’d always be content with a point if you can pick points up away from home regularly. It’s never a bad result.
"But at the same time we know we’re more than capable of going there and winning, which we proved at Kilmarnock twice last season."
Travel to Rugby Park, Kilmarnock, costs £10 for supporters’ club members and £15 for non-members.
Payment in advance is required and fans can book and pay for their seat on the bus by calling the club’s ticket office on 01349 860860 or coming in person to the club shop at the stadium.
