Derek Adams challenges Ross County players to go and perform in jubilant Tynecastle atmosphere when Staggies take on Hearts in Edinburgh
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Derek Adams expects his Ross County squad to thrive on one of the biggest stages Scottish football has to offer in Tynecastle this weekend.
The Staggies travel to Hearts for their final match of 2023, reluctantly refreshed after their last two matches against Rangers and Hibernian were called off.
Tynecastle is often held up as one of the best stadiums in Scotland with the atmosphere it generates, so County must not wilt in that environment if they are to get a positive result.
Adams is sure his players have the technical quality to trouble Hearts in the capital, and he is also confident the Staggies squad has the mentality to shine under such pressure.
"To go to Tynecastle, we always know that it's an extremely tight venue," Adams reasoned.
"It's a narrow pitch, but not only that, the stadium that comes inwards makes it intimidating for other teams.
"We have to have players that can get on the ball and pass it to take the pressure off us, get up the pitch and create chances – as we would have had to do against Rangers.
"We've got players that want to play on the big stage. Going to Tynecastle, Easter Road, Celtic, Rangers and Aberdeen – these are the venues those players want to perform in.
"They will have the opportunity to do that on Saturday, and it's a venue that can be really good for the players in our squad.
“We’ve got players in the team that are more than capable of producing some magic on the day.
“As I said before, as a manager you’re only as good as the players you have in your team – and we’ve certainly got some very good players who can create chances on the day.”
Hearts will be going into the match off the back of a dramatic derby day win over Hibernian, thanks to a stoppage time Lawrence Shankland goal.
Shankland will clearly be the dangerman for County to deal with, already having 17 goals to his name this season and scoring five in his last four appearances.
Adams, though, believes the Jambos are far more than a one-man team.
"They've got a lot of players to choose from in their squad – you saw that the other night when they chopped and changed their squad around, changed systems and personnel," Adams insisted.
"Coming off an Edinburgh derby win, they will be jubilant – we understand that – but we have players who have to prove their worth as well.
“We’ll have to do that by having good possession, creating openings, creating chances and really stopping them from creating openings in the match.
“That’s the whole focus going into the game.”
