Ross County’s season is up and running in 2014 but defender Brian McLean has warned standards must be maintained if the Staggies are to continue their rise up the Scottish Premiership.
County recorded back-to-back wins for the first time this season with a 1-0 win against St Johnstone on Saturday.
The wins have offered Dingwall supporters hope that County can mirror their achievement of last season in moving from second bottom to reach the top six but McLean is refusing to get carried away.
He said: “That’s not even entering our heads. We’ve had a difficult first half of the season and it is important we turn the corner, which we have done.
“We need to maintain our energy, desire and hunger to win and express ourselves, which we haven’t done these last few months. It’s important we don’t get ahead of ourselves. If we stick together as a group, which we have been doing, more results will come.”
McLean believes the arrival of new players in Jordan Slew, Michael Tidser and Evangelos Oikonomou has energised the side.
He added: “Everything has just clicked into place. It has been a great start to the year.
“Jordan Slew, coming in up front, has been superb alongside Gary Glen. The two of them coming in have been a revelation for us.
“As a defender, it eases the pressure on the back four and allows us to get up the park and keep a stronger grip on the game.
“We’ve deserved to win the past couple of games and it’s great to get the three points from both.
“It is amazing the difference a win makes. It hasn’t even been a week, so it has been brilliant. It has fed into everyone and long may it continue.”
While Slew had already shown his quality on his debut in the Highland derby, McLean was pleased to see Oikonomou slot in at the left-back position with ease following his return to the Highland club.
He said: “He has just come into the team and five or 10 minutes in he was looking for his second wind. But he dug deep. It’s not easy coming in like that, especially having been out of favour at his previous club. He is very composed to say the least. I’ve been expecting him to hack it clear and he takes a touch and makes a pass.”
Late show, Pages 62, 63