Ross County captaincy can inspire Yan Dhanda to even greater heights, claims Staggies manager Derek Adams
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Derek Adams hopes that wearing the captain's armband will bring the best out of Yan Dhanda.
In the absence of club captain Jack Baldwin against Partick Thistle last weekend, Dhanda was named captain and led Ross County out on to the pitch.
It appears likely that the same thing will happen against Celtic this weekend, but Adams has no worries that the added responsibility will weigh heavily on one of his star performers.
Instead, the Staggies boss believes it could actually enhance Dhanda's level of play as it was such a morale boost for the former Swansea City playmaker.
“I’ve never seen a happier boy – when I pulled him in and said, listen, we’re making you captain he was delighted, over the moon," Adams explained.
“He is a special player. We all know Yan has to score more goals and create more assists, but he has the work ethic and flair that people like to watch.
“He is a player who has responsibility because he is number 10. Giving him that added responsibility, I think will help him.”
County will certainly need Dhanda to be on top form if they are to get a result away at defending champions Celtic this weekend.
While going up against one of the Glasgow giants is always tricky, four defeats in their last five would appear to make it all the more of an uphill battle for the Staggies.
Ahead of what could be a crunch clash against Livingston on Tuesday evening though, any result County can get would be a huge boost – and Adams is not ruling out their chances of claiming an upset.
“It’s obviously a difficult game for anyone that goes there," Adams added.
"They have got an excellent home record – I believe Hearts are the only team that have beaten them there, so it’s a tough task.
“You never know, do you? There have been shocks all over the place.
"We certainly have to have Celtic on a down day, and we will have to be on an up day. There’s no doubt about that, because of the class they have.
“Going to Celtic Park against the opposition you play, to get a good outcome you sometimes have to score early which will help you.
“It’s never easy, but you’ve got to try. It has happened before.
“We go there, we’ve got players in the team that have got ability, that want to show it on the bigger stage. They get the opportunity to do that this weekend."
