Connor Randall believes past experiences of extra time and cup upsets helped Ross County book League Cup quarter final berth at Airdrie
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Connor Randall says cup disappointments in past years helped fuel Ross County’s extra-time victory over Airdrieonians last Saturday – but insists thoughts of a potential semi final berth are being put to one side for the time being.
Under Malky Mackay, the Staggies saw Covid wreck their hopes of progression in the 2021 League Cup group stage, and they fell at the first hurdle to Livingston in the Scottish Cup that season.
Then, last year, County were somewhat unlucky to be drawn against Celtic in the second round of the League Cup before suffering a disappointing Scottish Cup exit away at Hamilton.
Those experiences though, according to Randall, have made them stronger.
“You take them with you and you use that when you need it,” the ex-Liverpool and Hearts man explained.
“We were very disappointed last year, but this year we’re in the quarter final. We’re only 90 minutes – or 120 minutes – away from a semi final, and those are the games we want to be playing in.
“We’ve said it a lot, and the gaffer tells us a lot about how important it is for the club to go on a cup run. We believe we’ve got the players and staff to do that.
“You want to be playing at Hampden in the semi final, and we’re in the next round so that’s positive. We’ve got a big game coming up next Saturday first though, so our focus will be on that.”
Airdrie made life difficult for County last weekend, forcing them into extra time with a late comeback from 3-1 down, but Randall was happy to see the job done in the end and get through.
“We’re into the quarter finals of the cup, and that was the objective coming into the game,” he reasoned.
“Fair play, they made it tough. It was frustrating we had to go to 120 minutes, but we got the job done.
“We have been to extra time before, and I think that stood us in good stead with our never say die attitude. We did well in extra time to score and see the game out.”
