Ross County manager Don Cowie admits his side have ‘no margin for error’ left as the Staggies travel to Dundee looking to avoid another Premiership relegation play-off
Don Cowie admits there is no margin for error left as Ross County look to salvage their season in the final week of the regular Premiership season.
A trip to Dundee on Wednesday night is fraught with permutations. If the hosts win at Dens Park, they will be safe from any form of relegation, and leave the Staggies hoping St Johnstone do not pick up a win away at Hearts.
Should County claim all three points though, they will be out of the bottom two going into their last game of the season against Motherwell in Dingwall on Sunday – with the two teams below them facing off in Perth.
As far as keeping their fate in their own hands, then, it is now or never for the Highlanders on Wednesday night, and Cowie believes whoever copes best with the pressure of the situation will come out on top in the city of discovery.
“Despite the run that we've been on, we still have an opportunity to change our season with two games to go,” he explained.
“There's no shying away from the importance of the game, and we need to be ready for that.
“Both teams know what's at stake in terms of the outcome if they get a positive result, and what that will mean going into the last game.
“It could be tense, and it's who's going to deal with that best. I think fitness-wise you're there – if you're not fit this time of the season, then we've not done something right – and there will be the tactical side, but really it's about just playing with as much freedom as you can.
“We can’t change what's happened in the last few weeks. It's gone, that is the message.
“We are presented with a really good opportunity, with the way it's transpired with other results, to go and get a positive result that then means we come back here on Sunday for another big game.
“There's no margin for error. Just like in a play-off game, there's no hiding place. You know what's at stake.
“In a short period of time, it’s two big games. We all know that if we get two positive results, that can do and what it means come Sunday.
“In order to get to Sunday, it's about going to Dundee for a challenging game in terms of what's at stake, but we need to just go and embrace it.
Cowie will be without Zac Ashworth, who will serve his one-match suspension after being sent off against St Johnstone on Saturday.
Ross Laidlaw remains unavailable alongside long-term absentees Ryan Leak, Noah Chilvers and Andrew Macleod, while Jack Grieves has returned to Watford for treatment on a thigh strain.
A late decision will be made on Scott Allardice’s fitness, with no new injuries sustained in Perth at the weekend.
