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Stuart Kettlewell to freshen up Ross County side for Betfred Cup double header

Ross County manager Stuart Kettlewell watches on from the stand against Rangers.
Ross County manager Stuart Kettlewell watches on from the stand against Rangers.

Ross County manager Stuart Kettlewell says players will have an opportunity to stake their claim when he freshens his side up in the Staggies’ next two Betfred Cup fixtures.

County make the trip to Montrose tonight, before facing another Angus test when they host Championship side Arbroath on Tuesday.

Kettlewell, who is without the suspended Coll Donaldson, has indicated he will make changes for the two cup matches, in order to give some members of his squad some much needed game time.

Loan signings Stephen Kelly and Ross Doohan have yet to start for the Dingwall men, while Callum Morris and Carl Tremarco have had limited opportunities.

New signings Michael O’Connor, Jermaine Hylton and Charlie Lakin could also come into contention, with Kettlewell urging those selected to make their case for more regular inclusion.

Kettlewell, who serves the second match of a three-game ban, said: “It’s going to be an opportunity for me to mix and match a wee bit over the next six days.

“There haven’t been any friendlies which we all know has been very difficult. There are several guys I know are good players who are going to have to get an opportunity.

“Everybody is disappointed when they’re not playing. When opportunities come, it’s really simple, you need to go and grasp it with both hands.

“We need to see guys who get those opportunities show that they are the best person to select for our next league game against Hibs.

Ross County manager Stuart Kettlewell.

“That’s the way I’m pitching it, that if they get the opportunity to play in two games then we expect these guys to really go and perform.

“There are several guys who have played almost every minute, and been a real fixture in the team who probably need to take a wee step back because they have put so much out there.”

Kettlewell insists making changes is not a sign of the Staggies taking the League One Gable Endies lightly, insisting he is eager to advance beyond the group stage of the competition.

Kettlewell added: “I believe I’m putting out a strong team. We want to qualify from the group, I have never hidden away from that fact over the last couple of years. We have always wanted to advance in the competition.

“There’s no way we’re going to be able to coast through a game against Montrose at Links Park, it’s going to be difficult so the guys will be prepared for that.”

County produced an encouraging display despite Sunday’s 2-0 loss to Rangers, with Kettlewell challenging his side to maintain the same level of performance.

He added: “Rangers is an easy one to get up for, we all want to play against them at Ibrox.

“The big challenge sometimes is having that same hunger, drive and understanding of how we will ask them to play when you play lower league teams.

“We will go into this game with a gameplan the same way we did against Rangers, it’s just so important that we deliver on it.”