On-loan Aberdeen midfielder hopes to be Ross County’s secret weapon

Ryan Duncan helped Ross County sink Airdrieonians in their battle to stay up – and the Aberdeen loanee insists he’s happy to become their new secret weapon.

Duncan’s delivery for Kieran Phillips separated the sides in North Lanarkshire at the weekend as Stuart Kettlewell’s men mustered another crucial victory to continue their recent Championship revival.

The on-loan Aberdeen ace says he’s always excelled at set-pieces from his younger days spent honing his skills.

And, with a trip to Morton awaiting resurgent County this Saturday, the young midfielder is hungry to supply even more assists to ultimately aid the Highland club’s prospects for all-important survival.

Duncan, 22, said: “I’m delighted to get an assist.

“I thought I had one earlier from the free-kick which led to Alex Iacovitti’s header but that was obviously chopped off.

“So I’m delighted to help out in that regard.

“Ever since I was younger, I’ve been quite good at set-pieces.

“Of course, there are weaknesses in my game which I need to work upon, but I have strengths as well, and this is one of them.

“When you’ve got the likes of Iacovitti and other lads who’ve got height to aim at from set-pieces, it’s almost like a dream for me really.

“I know that if I hit it in the right area someone will be there to attack it.

“It’s a huge part of the modern game. And that’s what has won us this particular game in the end.”

Duncan climbed off the bench to replace injured Dean Cornelius early on in their victory over the Diamonds, whom they now trail by just a single point after hoisting themselves off the foot of the table.

Duncan is loving life in Dingwall as he aims to keep progressing his own career, while helping County climb clear of the threat of relegation from the Championship.

Duncan said: “I felt overall that I did well when I came on.

“There were a few times in the first half when my final ball could have been that wee bit better.

“But I thought second half I definitely improved. So I was happy with my performance from that point of view.

“It’s been a great experience for me coming here and getting valuable minutes under my belt.

“There’s a good bunch of lads here as well – there are players like Ross Docherty and Jamie Lindsay who’re a bit older than me whom I can learn from, too.

“I don’t see why we can’t use this as a catalyst for the rest of the season.

“We have got to take confidence from this and kick on.

“We won’t get ahead of ourselves. It’s one win, but we’ve definitely got to take the positives from it.”

[Source: Press and Journal]