The Manager | "we had to fight for it"

“I think we had to fight for every inch.

It was scrappy, Ross County changed their shape and have got a very experienced team. They went for a back five, but they still had enough attacking players on the pitch to keep us on our guard.

“I thought we started well enough. I think the way the first half panned out I felt there was too much to and fro. We had an attack, then they would attack, it was like a game of basketball. I thought we had to get better control of it and I thought the second half we probably had that bit more control.

“I think the introduction of Miles Storey gives us another focal point up at the top of the pitch. I think the pitch was difficult for both sets of players because it was very soft out there. Our players deserve a better surface to play on. I think that McGinn and Hayes weren't at their best because they couldn't carry it on the surface as well.

“It was good to win when a lot of key players probably haven't been at their best. I think you see the experience of the team once we go 1-0 up. It didn't feel in doubt, I thought we were very strong after that, I thought we managed the game very well. I thought we closed out the game with a couple of opportunities after that.

“The players deserve a lot of credit because you can't always enjoy playing. I don't think they enjoyed it as much as they enjoyed the Motherwell game. We enjoy winning, it was just about getting the job done.

“It's a mistake from Davies, he should go with it with his left foot rather than go at it with his right, but it comes to nothing if Rooney doesn't anticipate and gamble. You watch any highlight, even when it's not a goal, Rooney is always hanging about and anticipating a mistake ready to pounce, ready to take advantage. If Rooney just thinks Davies is clearing it, he breaks his stride and doesn't gamble it goes into Scott Fox's hands.

“He's just hanging about hoping something might happen, and he gets his reward. He's worth his weight in gold, another goal in the six yard box. Other strikers might knock off there and expect the ball to be cleared. He's gambled and he deserves his reward for that.

“We said at half time it was important that we use our experience. I wanted to get more control of the game and it was good to get them in at half time. We wanted to try and get the balance right between having tempo and pace to the game but also showing our experience and composure to show that we've been in this position before, we don't need to score in the 46th minute but we need to trust ourselves to get the right result. I think the substitutes have played a part, I thought Miles (Storey) coming on, for their three centre backs, to see him come on running them down and putting people under pressure gets the crowd into it. Peter (Pawlett) and Anthony (O'Connor) help see the game out.”

“(Our lead of nine points over Rangers) it's quickly went to that (nine points), which suggests it can quickly go the other way. While it's good to look at the league table we want to be looking at the league table again with the same pleasure at the end of the season. There's still too many games to play. Obviously we are in a strong position but we're not home and hosed yet. I think what is clear is you can see the players enjoying winning, enjoying working hard and the togetherness of the team. With the squad being used, and with 12 games to go now, it's important that we try and just keep getting the points together.

“The time for reflection isn't now, it's at the end of the season.

“With Jayden, we were hopeful that he'd train yesterday. He'd stretched the cartilage on his shoulder in the last minute at Kilmarnock. He landed quite heavily, and we dressed him down but we never thought it would be problem. It became clear yesterday that he was still having problems with his movement so he missed today. Hopefully he'll be okay for the next game, we don't expect him to be out for any length of time.

“We've not had many injuries in a while so hopefully we'll get him back for Tuesday.”