Derek Adams wary of Partick Thistle's thirst for revenge ahead of first return to Ross County since dramatic play-off final
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Derek Adams expects Partick Thistle to be coming up to Dingwall this weekend desperate to avenge their play-off defeat at the end of last season.
The 2022/23 campaign came to the most dramatic of conclusions, as Ross County were 3-0 down on aggregate in their Premiership play-off against the Jags with around 20 minutes left to play.
However, the Staggies staged a late comeback, pulling the scoreline back to 3-3 before 90 minutes were up, and going on to triumph in a penalty shoot-out.
Partick supporters may have had a wry smile, then, at the prospect of returning to the Highlands for this weekend's Scottish Cup tie.
Adams, while not in charge of County at the end of last season, did watch the play-off final from afar, and he is sure Partick will be trying to use that defeat as motivation tomorrow.
“It’s a big challenge – we obviously know that from last season when the two clubs came up against each other in the play-offs," Adams explained.
“I watched both legs. I thought it was a really exciting play-off, but not something you would want to be involved in.
“(I don't want a more boring game than that this weekend), no, I’d like to see it end to end. I’d like to see us creating more chances than the opposition and scoring more goals.
“I watched Partick last weekend and they did really well against Arbroath. They are an excellent outfit, with a lot of good players who play with a lot of freedom to get forward and attack, so it is going to be a game that is to and fro.
"Partick will want to progress to the next round, so do we. They’re going to take over 1000 supporters with them and it will be a really good atmosphere.
“Will they be out for revenge? I’m sure that will be the case. There’s no doubt about that. We understand that and we will have to be on our game because they have talented players in their side.”
The Scottish Cup has not been Ross County's favourite competition in recent years.
Only once since Adams led a then-second tier County to the final in 2010 have they reached the quarter final stage, and that was eight years ago.
That is a record that the Staggies manager is very keen to change, aiming high going into County's first match in this season's competition.
“We were a Championship club at the time, and we went and beat the likes of Hibs and Celtic on the way to the final against Dundee United," Adams recalled of the 2010 run to the final.
“It’s something we would love to try and do – win the Scottish Cup.
“I think it’s really important for the supporters, and finances as well, that we go on a cup run.
“If we can get to the next round, whoever we pick up will be hugely important. We will be here on Saturday trying to do that – if the snow stops."
