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Ross Laidlaw says Ross County still have to earn European place with final push this season

Ross County goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw. Image: SNS Group
Ross County goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw. Image: SNS Group

Ross Laidlaw insists another big push is required in order for Ross County to secure European qualification.

The Staggies are fifth in the Premiership with four games remaining, following their 2-0 loss to Celtic on Sunday.

County’s current league position would be enough to clinch a place in the Europa Conference League qualifiers, with the team finishing sixth missing out.

The Dingwall men sealed their place in the top-half with an excellent run of form, which saw them win six of their 13 matches after the winter break.

Goalkeeper Laidlaw says the Staggies have no intention of slacking off in the final weeks of the campaign.

Laidlaw said: “There are four games to go and we just need to keep pushing. It’s between us, Dundee United and Motherwell.

“There are two teams who can get into Europe and we are hoping we could be one of them.

Ross Laidlaw saves from Celtic’s Daizen Maeda.

“Where we were at the start of the season, when we hadn’t won in 10 games – the turnaround has been unbelievable.

“The stats after those 10 games show we are just behind Celtic and Rangers, so hopefully we can keep it going.

“There’s no point in doing that and then switching off in the last games. We need to keep pushing on until the end.”

Celtic’s class showed in Dingwall

Premiership leaders Celtic triumphed on Sunday thanks to goals from Kyogo Furuhashi and Jota.

Between the two strikes, Malky Mackay’s men enjoyed some promising spells of play, but were unable to find a way through the Hoops’ rearguard.

Laidlaw says the quality of Ange Postecoglou’s side shone through, adding: “I think we probably gave Celtic too much respect in the first half and they had a few chances.

“In the second half, we limited them to very few and you could see we were trying to get a goal, but it wasn’t to be.

Ross County boss Malky Mackay.

“In any game, when there is only one goal in it, you just need one chance, like a set-piece and you can get back in it.

“We’ve shown that this season at home when we, maybe, have not played the best of games, but we have managed to sneak a goal.

“We didn’t get that chance we were hoping for and were disappointed to concede the second.

“Celtic are a top team.

“They stuck to the philosophy that Ange brought in. They play out from the back and trust what they are doing.

“You can see they are a good team and stuck to what the manager is telling them to do.

“They are a totally different team from last year and they have confidence with a great squad.”

Staggies ready for next test against Jambos

County face another difficult fixture on Saturday, when they make the trip to third-placed Hearts.

The two sides shared a 1-1 draw at Victoria Park earlier this month, during which Laidlaw saved a penalty from Barrie McKay.

Laidlaw insists the Staggies’ confidence will not be dented by their loss to Celtic, adding: “We knew it was going to be hard as Celtic are in top form in the league and you can see they are a really good football team with the way they played.

“We won’t be disheartened by the result.

“It’s a big game against Hearts. We played them here recently and drew, so we know it will be a big game and, hopefully, we can go down there and try to get something from it.

“There aren’t many games to go and there’s a big one next week, so that will decide what happens.”