No fear for Staggies ahead of derby
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Ross County club captain Marcus Fraser says there is nothing to fear going into the final Highland derby of the season tonight.
County and Inverness Caledonian Thistle have faced each other five times this season, with a single goal separating the sides on aggregate.
With things being so close between the clubs, Fraser believes the Staggies should have every reason to be confident of victory.
"In the league games there have been goals, red cards, everything," he recalled.
"Inverness have always played well against us, there have been periods in the game when we've had the better of the game and then they've scored and had the better of the game.
"I don't expect tonight to be any different, we'll just hope it's another good game and one we can come out on top of this time.
"The five games have been close, so you've got nothing to fear going into the game.
"We've said it every game this season, if we go out and play the best we can we'll be looking to win the game."
Last time County and Caley Thistle faced each other, Inverness knocked the Dingwall outfit out of the Scottish Cup on penalties at the Caledonian Stadium.
But although Fraser will be trying to use that as motivation, he says tonight's derby is only the most important game because it is their next one.
"We've not spoken about that in the group, but I think being a footballer and wanting to win yourself, you just have that in your head," Fraser admitted.
"You realise that happened last time, and you want to correct it.
"At this stage of the season, there are nine games to go, the next game is always the biggest.
"Anything can happen, you need to win your game and if you win your game – especially with the game being a Friday night – we can look back tomorrow and see what happens.
"It is a massive game, and it's definitely our biggest one so far."
County enter their final quarter of league matches tonight with a commanding 11-point lead at the top of the Championship.
Playing before their closest challengers for the title, the Highland derby is a chance to extend that even further.
But nothing will change as the Staggies close in on silverware, according to their captain.
"I think when you get to the later stages of the season you're always looking at how many games are remaining," Fraser explained.
"We're obviously on a good run at the moment, so we're quite happy for the games to come quickly.
"The manager said that before, it is an opportunity.
"But if you don't take it then it's not good, so I think we just need to get our heads down and do what we have been doing – that's doing our talking on the pitch.
"It's worked for us so far, so I don't think we need to change that."
