‘Cup means nothing’, says McMenamin
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COLIN McMenamin knows the Scottish Cup is now forever woven into Ross County folklore and affections.
The incredible events and unforgettable scenes of spring 2010 on the road to the Hampden Park showpiece made sure of that.
From McMenamin, though, the message is blunt – this year, for now at least, the national knock-out tournament means absolutely nothing.
The surprising, candid assessment from the 10-goal Ross County striker needs to be set in the context of his burning SPL and First Division title ambitions.
McMenamin came to Ross County determined to tap into the club’s obvious ambition and realise his own career goals with a return to the top flight.
With just over half of the league campaign gone and County riding encouragingly high, the goalscorer – who turns 31 this month – has no qualms about setting tomorrow’s trip to St Mirren in context.
McMenamin is keen to stress he will approach the St Mirren Park encounter with the same drive, determination and grit as any match.
But after outlining his belief in County’s title credentials, he told the Ross-shire Journal, "Personally, I couldn’t really care less about (the cup match). It’s not even playing on my mind.
"Obviously, I want to win every game I play in and I want us to keep our momentum going.
"But for me – and the gaffer will probably kill me for saying so — I couldn’t care less if we win or lose.
"We have just had our rescheduled fixtures for February and it is going to be very difficult with seven games within a month.
"So the last thing we want is to draw and get a replay. It’s win or lose for us on Saturday, so I would imagine we will just go for it down at St Mirren."
McMenamin’s assertion speaks volumes for his commitment and focus on winning the First Division.
County’s caution on talking up title chances has been a consistent feature this season.
But the former Newcastle, Livingston, Shrewsbury, Gretna, Dundee and Queen of the South frontman believes it is now time to hone their focus on that very possibility.
He said, "It’s got to a point now where we (have to be) thinking ‘Can we win this league?’
"We have 17 games to go. If you look at it, the maximum any other team can get is 80 points.
"We can get that with something like 13 victories and if we do then we know we are champions.
"We’re in the countdown now and every game is three points closer to the target.
"I think now we need to get into the mind-set of acknowledging we are in a position to win the league.
"I’ve said for weeks and weeks that we are simply trying to finish as high as we can.
"But we’ve put ourselves in a position now where it would be foolish not to think about it.
"Obviously, it is still going to be difficult. There are a lot of hard games coming up.
"But if we keep going the way we are going and grinding out results, then I can’t see any reason why we can’t finish up near the top."
McMenamin won a First Division title with Gretna – clinched at Victoria Park – and was part of the side who threw one away with Dundee two years ago.
That brings with it a certain perspective on what is needed to win the league.
He said, "The easy part is getting to where we are just now.
"The last 12 to 14 games of a season can be really tough. Injuries and suspensions come into play. Tiredness sets in.
"Obviously nerves will come into it. Luckily enough, we’ve a reasonably experienced group of boys who have been about and won titles.
"A few boys here have won the Second Division and guys like Grant Munro, Russell Duncan and I have won the First.
"We have a group of boys here who know what it takes and if everyone can help each other out, we should be in a good position.
"Having that know-how at Gretna definitely helped. We had a group of boys who had been over the course.
"It definitely helped us not to panic at times because we suffered a minor collapse near the end before finally winning the league in Dingwall.
"It is going to be difficult, nobody is kidding ourselves on.
"But I feel as though we have the boys in the changing room to put that out of our mind and carry on just playing football on a Saturday."
The thrill of winning a league is a sensation McMenamin is desperate to savour again.
McMenamin stressed, "I told Rocco Quinn, my flatmate, that I didn’t think some of the boys realised how good they would feel over the summer if they win the league.
"You walk about with a constant grin on your face, knowing that when you come back after the summer you are playing in the SPL.
"You have a medal and so much pride, you are buzzing – and all your family is buzzing. It’s such a good feeling.
"You try and pass that on to the boys."
February’s fixture pile-up is actually one the striker is relishing.
He said, "It’s tough, but it is something you thrive on. It means we won’t train as much.
"The boys will tell you they would rather play games on a Tuesday night than have to train Tuesday morning.
"We have a big enough squad and a good enough squad to deal with it.
"I’m just looking forward to the games coming thick and fast now."
McMenamin knows a clutch of five or six County players have been starved of regular games amid a stunning 17-game league unbeaten run.
But he reckons every one of the Staggies squad will have a part to play in the title run-in.
McMenamin stressed, "We were talking yesterday about how we are going to need everybody.
"Everybody knows that, the gaffer has told everybody that. There are a few boys only one booking away from a ban.
"We’re going to need everybody – and I include the kit woman, the groundsman and everyone else if we want to be successful.
"We’re all looking forward to it and we’re all going to be right behind each other."
DEREK Adams believes Ross County will thrive on an underdog’s role away to St Mirren.
The Dingwall team triumphed over the Saints some 18 months ago when they drew 3-3 in a League Cup clash in Dingwall but won on penalties.
Adams, who wants his players to ask questions of the SPL side, said, "It’s nice to get away from the league action and it’s an opportunity for us to play against a good SPL side.
"We’re away from home and the players will enjoy going to a new stadium and a fantastic surface to play on.
"We approach it in just the same way as we do every game. We go through the same procedures and don’t treat it differently."
County, Adams feels, have the players who thrive on playing teams from the SPL.
He said, "When you play teams from a higher division you certainly get more time to pass the ball.
"We’ve certainly got players who can do that and find more space.
"What you do find, as well, is the SPL team will come out and try and win the match, so that leaves space for us to exploit."
County will be under scrutiny as potential SPL candidates, but Adams added, "It doesn’t really matter. We’re only prepared for a First Division campaign and we’re a First Division side.
"They’re the SPL side and they are the ones who are favourites on the day. We’re not at the same level as St Mirren."
As for St Mirren’s strengths, the manager noted, "Dougie Imrie is cup-tied and they will probably bring in Gary Teale.
"They have adequate players in good areas of the park. Steven Thompson up front has been an excellent signing for them.
"He brings very good experience and he’s the spearhead for their attack."
Ross County (1) 3 Livingston (0) 0
ROSS County equalled their record-best First Division run of results with a fine 3-0 victory over visiting Livingston.
The convincing win restored the Dingwall side’s five-point lead at the summit and made it 17 games unbeaten in the league campaign – equal to the record set way back in 2002.
The hosts had the ball in the net after just three minutes when Livi keeper Andy McNeil let Rocco Quinn’s cross slip from grasp.
Scott Boyd’s finish was chalked off for an alleged infringement.
Iain Vigurs flashed a free-kick just wide of target after 26 minutes as the home side began to dominate.
The pressure paid off a minute later when Michael Gardyne’s delivery fell for Colin McMenamin to lash in from close range.
Quinn drove just over shortly after the break while Livvi saw Iain Russell just fail to connect with a dangerous Kheagan Jacobs cross.
McNeil saved superbly from Brittain, while substitute Mark Corcoran saw another strike touched over the bar by McNeil.
Mcmenamin grabbed his second from the resultant corner after a Grant Munro shot from Richard Brittain’s corner was blocked.
Sam Morrow came off the bench to add the finishing touch when he raced onto a Vigurs through pass to hit the third.
Ross County — Fraser, Morrison, Boyd, Munro, Quinn (Corcoran 59), Gardyne (Craig 59), Kettlewell, McMenamin (Morrow 82), Brittain, Vigurs. Subs not used: Malin, Byrne.
Livingston — McNeil; Ross; Talbot; Jacobs; Barr (Barr 34); Watson; Fox; Jacobs; Boulding (Deuchar 70); Russell (McNulty 76); Scougall. Subs not used: Jamieson; Fordyce.
Referee — John McKendrick
