Brittain wants new-look stadium to be a 'fortress'
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RICHARD Brittain watched in wonder this summer as a modest football ground was transformed in double-quick time for the SPL.
Now, with construction work almost complete at Victoria Park, Brittain is keen to build some more.
This time, the Ross County captain wants to create a fortress.
There have already been grumbles from the likes of Kilmarnock manager Kenny Shiels regarding the scheduling and frequency of "nightmare" away trips to play County and Caley Thistle.
It is fair to say County’s triumph in winning the First Division title back in April was not universally welcomed.
Since the release of fixtures earlier in the week, some fans of Motherwell and Celtic have already voiced unhappiness at landing journeys to the Highlands close to European dates.
It is often forgotten that County must make those marathon away trips almost every second week.
There is no doubt, however, that perceptions of Ross County’s location and the evident dislike for the road have at least in some part benefited the team.
The Staggies haven’t been beaten at home in a league game for 14 months.
Continuing that kind of form in the top flight could prove tough but a strong home record would obviously provide the bedrock for a successful campaign.
Brittain knows County will need to use every advantage at their disposal as they gun for survival.
But the goalscoring midfielder is convinced they can benefit from opponents’ dislike of a supposedly remote, northerly location.
Add in an upsurge in season ticket sales and the fact the new 6,000-seat ground looks like being pleasingly enclosed and potentially intimidating atmospherically, then the home ground could certainly be a factor.
Motherwell will be first to take to the long and tortuous A9 to face County on August 4, in a match sandwiched between two Champions League qualifiers.
For Brittain, disenchantment over scheduling is music to the ears.
The Bathgate-born former Livingston skipper said: "You can feel the buzz about the place already and it all becomes that bit more real now the fixture list is out.
"We’ve always been strong on our home patch although we know we will be up against better players and teams this year.
"But we have to try to use everything we can to our advantage to get points on the board. Our home ground can hopefully be a bit of fortress.
"I’ve been a player in the Central Belt and, psychologically, sometimes the last thing you want to do is go trekking up north for a game.
"It can be a real thought for players and they maybe don’t focus as much as they would playing in Glasgow or Edinburgh.
"We have to try and use that and build on our strengths up here in front of our fans."
Distance was no object for Brittain when he moved to County from SPL club St Mirren four years ago.
Back then, while some told the 28-year-old he was heading for the back of beyond, the decision has been more than vindicated with a clutch of league and cup medals.
Brittain, who reportedly turned down St Johnstone this summer, said: "You’ve got to make the most of your career.
"If an offer comes to move 160 miles north, that is all it is – 160 miles. It is three hours in a car so it’s not as if it is the moon. That’s where I feel a lot of players fall down. It is a small sacrifice to make.
"One reason we have been successful at County is that players from down the road have moved up and made a life up here, rather than just commuting.
"As soon as the fixtures came out, I’d bet my bottom dollar there were some players who scrolled through and looked at the dates when they have to go north.
"There will be a few mumps and moans and, again, that can be to our advantage."
County have lost Michael Gardyne to Dundee United and Gary Miller to St Johnstone.
Otherwise, the bulk of the team who stormed to the First Division title remains intact.
Brittain stressed: "That’s testament to the manager and the enjoyment the players get from being here, as well as the training facilities.
"We just have to turn up at the stadium while other squads have to trek 15 or 20 minutes in a minibus to find facilities.
"We just go out the back and there are three or four pitches to train on. A good working environment goes a long way towards keeping players settled.
"I think it is also down to the kind of squad we have. All the boys get on and they have had success together. A lot of the boys were keen to continue that."
