Ross County goalkeeper is primed for big away day revival
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ROSS Laidlaw admits the heroic manner of Ross County’s dramatic late fightback made Saturday’s draw with St Johnstone feel more like a victory.
But the former Hibs goalkeeper said the single point will only be worth its weight in gold if the Dingwall team builds on it.
Billy Mckay’s last-gasp equaliser, after a gutsy revival in mud and monsoon conditions at Victoria Park, spared the Staggies a damaging defeat and kept them six points above bottom-placed Hearts in the Premiership.
It is away form, though, where County have struggled most, with looming road trips to Aberdeen and Motherwell now assuming great importance.
“I think we hung on in there. It showed the character we’ve got,” Laidlaw said. “It paid off and we managed to get the goal in the end.
“Underfoot, you felt like you were going to slip a lot. The conditions weren’t great in wind and rain and became a battle. It does feel bigger than a point. With the draw in the Hamilton-Hearts game, the point keeps us above them.
“We just need to follow that up with results away from home where it’s not been great this season – that’s where we’ve struggled. Away from home, they are bonus points. It’s against teams in the bottom six and games at home that are the six-pointers for us. We know how big these games are.”
Laidlaw’s recall on Saturday came after three months playing second fiddle to on-loan Chelsea keeper Nathan Baxter.
The pair can count two clean sheets apiece this season. The towering 27-year-old, signed last summer, believes a straight fight for the gloves will benefit the whole team.
“I’ve had to be patient,” Laidlaw admitted.
“I’m grateful to be given the chance as I found myself wondering when I’d get it again. I thought I put in a decent performance.
“It has been frustrating.
“As a goalkeeper, you can’t come off the bench and make an impact like a striker or midfielder. I’ve been doing well in training and that’s given them a decision to make.
“The managers want me and Nathan competing.
“Goalkeepers have that mutual respect and help each other play the best they can.
“But the competition can benefit the whole team.
“We’ve been criticised for losing goals, but it’s not just the defence and goalkeepers, it’s the whole team. It doesn’t matter how many we concede, so long as we stay in this league.”
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