Have Ross County raided Highland SPL rivals' fan base?
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DEREK Adams believes Ross County have raided Inverness Caley Thistle’s supporter base in their own back-yard this season as the club thrives in the SPL.
The County boss refused to add to the hype surrounding tomorrow’s derby clash despite opposite number Terry Butcher’s proclamations of recent days.
Adams believes Butcher’s exhortation to his own club’s supporters to turn out in large numbers is borne of frustration over attendances this season.
County, in contrast, have enjoyed a surge in support to match their heady status in third place in the top flight.
The battle lines are drawn for a landmark occasion.
However, Adams described the match as just another opportunity to gain three points.
The County boss said: “We’ve had a lot of big matches this season already and this is no different.
“We’ve had a lot of high-profile matches in recent weeks and we’re getting used to that now. The derby match on Saturday is another exciting one.
“We’ve done particularly well there in the past and enjoyed winning there.
“This season has been terrific and we have picked up more points than we possibly envisaged at the start of the season.
“But it is another game. There are only three points at stake. We know, with a win, we would go four points ahead (of Inverness). If Inverness win they go two ahead of us.
“For either side, I think a victory would clinch it. A point for both sides might be good enough as well.”
Adams expanded on the theme by talking of County’s inroads into their rivals’ traditional heartland of support.
He said: “I’m not going to make a big thing about (the game). Big Terry has made a big thing about trying to get fans through the door.
“That’s his own agenda. He’s not been happy this season and feels the supporters have not turned out. He’s been very vocal in saying they haven’t had the backing of the Inverness public.
“But we’ll have 2,000 fans going there on Saturday and we’ve had tremendous backing from the people of Ross-shire.
“But I’ll not care about what anybody else says (about the importance of the game).
“With the population we have, the attendances here have been excellent. We’re now gathering fans not just in Ross-shire, but in Inverness.
“They definitely are (coming to us). What happened was that in the divisions below, the First Division, they would go to Inverness and then come to Ross County when Inverness weren’t playing.
“I think there are a lot of fans who have changed their allegiance over the years.
“We’ve a lot of younger fans coming here now as well. We do a lot of work in trying to get younger people in and generate new supporters through the gates.
“They’ve enjoyed coming to Ross County and seeing the style of play this season.”
Adams has only goalkeeper Mark Brown, still recovering from a broken hand, absent for the short trip across the Kessock Bridge.
Caley Thistle will be without left back Graeme Shinnie, who played a sturdy role in the last derby clash in subduing County winger Ivan Sproule.
Sproule is fit again after missing the Celtic match, while skipper Richard Brittain is also available after suspension.
