Player says final day scenario could suit Ross County
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Alex Samuel believes Ross County have nothing to lose going into Sunday’s key match against Kilmarnock – and that should only be a benefit to the Staggies.
After Wednesday night’s results, County should realistically be safe from automatic relegation as it would take an eight-goal swing in Dundee United’s favour for the two to swap places.
However, the Staggies sit in 11th, and need all three points at Rugby Park to overtake Kilmarnock and avoid a play-off.
In that sense, it is a simple equation, as County have the better goal difference – meaning a win of any margin would be enough.
Knowing that there are limited rewards on offer for a draw, then, leads Samuel to believe it is not actually a bad situation to be in.
“I think it’s a good pressure,” he explained.
“I genuinely thing it’s good, I think it’s more nerve-wracking when you have to hold on for a draw.
“Here, we’ve got nothing to lose, so we have to go and try to win.
“For us it’s tunnel vision now, and we will just get ourselves ready for what is a massive cup final.
“The goal difference means it’s in our hands, so we’ll take that considering we were 2-0 down (on Wednesday).
“I think that’s the message that we’re going to be discussing over the next few days to be ready for Sunday.”
From a personal point of view, Samuel’s introduction 10 minutes after the restart helped turn the tide in County’s favour.
He has looked noticeably stronger since returning from injury than when the 27-year-old first moved to Dingwall, and his motivation and desire to get on the ball and affect games has been clear to see too.
That, according to Samuel, all stems from wanting to use his 10-month injury lay-off to better himself.
“It has always been my thing to give 100 per cent, but I think when you get an injury like that it does change things, it puts things into perspective,” he added.
“I’m so grateful for every second I’m on that pitch now, so I want to go for everything and make that difference.
“Being out for 10 months, I was in the gym, and it was a chance to reflect. I’ve always had lower leg strength, but upper body was something I could work on.
“With the way I play, it’s going to really benefit me if I put a bit of muscle on and add a bit of physicality – and it has, which is great – so you take a negative and turn it into a positive.
“I’m glad for the boys and the fans who came (on Wednesday) that they saw the fight that we have. We are swinging, and that’s what we need to keep doing.”
