‘We would have lost Motherwell match last year’ - Ross County's Jonathan Franks
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JONATHAN Franks takes the positive from Ross County’s first home league draw since March 2014.
The wide midfielder was impressive as the Staggies drew 1-1 with Motherwell on Saturday, which was the first time Jim McIntyre’s team had been held at home in the Ladbrokes Premiership since Aberdeen held them there by the same scoreline two and a half years ago.
Liam Boyce shot County in front before Louis Moult’s spot-kick fired the Steel Men level.
Staggies stopper Jay McEveley was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence, but the Dingwall side more than held their own with 10 men to get a share of the spoils.
Franks, whose deliveries had Well on the back foot for much of the weekend’s encounter, believes that more experienced players have helped the team secure a valuable result.
He told the North Star: "The gaffer highlighted that statistic to us on Monday. We either win or lose games here, but we can learn from it. We might have lost that game in the past, but with more experience in the team this season compared to last year we held out for the draw and maybe could have nicked it, although overall a draw was a fair result.
"All credit to the lads, being at home was a big factor. When we went down to 10 men we still went for the win, but it was also important that we dug deep at the other end and make sure we didn’t concede again.
"Overall, looking back on the game, it was a good point, but at the same time it was disappointing under the circumstances that we didn’t get all three points."
The former Hartlepool man provided the spark for the front-line and he was delighted that Boyce took his tally to six for the season.
He explained: "I am there to create chances for the boys and if I can keep creating then hopefully the lads can keep scoring and push us up the table. Liam is doing well and you can’t ask any more from him. He is there to score goals and he is certainly doing that. If I can create a few more then hopefully he can score a few more."
Ross County head to Glasgow on Saturday to face a Rangers side fresh and hurting from a 5-1 pounding against Celtic at Parkhead.
With Rangers having to work their way back up the divisions, this will be County’s first trip to Ibrox and Franks is relishing the opportunity to impress in front over more than 50,000 fans.
The 26-year-old stressed: "I have heard good things about the stadium and its atmosphere.
"Rangers will be looking to bounce back from their defeat at the weekend. We have to be ready for that. We will show them the respect they deserve and they will do the same to us. Hopefully it will be a good game and we can get the points.
"The longer we frustrate them and get on top and create some chances the better and the crowd might get on their backs. If we can frustrate the life out of them and play our own way and create chances then we can hopefully score goals and get the result."
County are sitting in fourth spot ahead of the weekend action and Franks feels that there is scope to kick on before the next international break in October.
He said: "We are where we want to be right now in terms of our position. The 1-0 defeat against Hamilton recently was disappointing. Those are the games we could maybe take a point from."
