Jordan Tillson says he needed to make quick impact at Ross County
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Midfielder Jordan Tillson says he has had to try and make his mark early on in his Ross County career to force his way into the side.
Tillson joined the Staggies from Exeter City in January, and has already made eight appearances – as many games as he played for his old club in the first half of the season.
The 27-year-old’s arrival coincided with the return of Iain Vigurs and Don Cowie from injury, as well as Ross Draper later, so competition for places has been fierce in the middle of the park.
That has meant Tillson has needed to make the most of his opportunities on the pitch to stave off his positional rivals, a challenge that he is fully aware of.
“When you get your chances, you have to try and take them,” he insisted.
“I don’t think anyone is at the stage where they can just be given games, or hope that happens.
“I think you have to try and earn it. All the lads who have come in have done.”
Some of the differences between playing for Exeter and County have been stark for the midfielder.
Tillson will be coming up against the same opponents more frequently in Scotland due to the smaller league sizes, although he is well used to midweek games in a 46-match league season.
But again, the changes are things Tillson is embracing in this fresh start.
“Playing on a Wednesday is a big change, we normally played midweek games on a Tuesday at Exeter,” he said.
“I have not been part of the split yet, it’s obviously something new to me and I’m looking forward to that.
“It’s going to be a big opportunity for us to hopefully pick up some points.”
Ross County’s next challenge is Hamilton’s visit to Dingwall tomorrow.
Hamilton have beaten Rangers and Kilmarnock in recent weeks, but that does not faze Tillson, who added: “I don’t think too much about that.
“They have had a couple of good results, but we were a whisker away from getting a result against Rangers. It’s swings and roundabouts.”
