‘We’re fighting for the people’: Ross County’s Connor Randall issues heart-felt vow as Staggies bid to avoid the drop

Connor Randall says keeping Ross County in the Championship “would mean everything” as he sets his sights on a rise from bottom place.

Randall, who was signed by Stuart Kettlewell in the manager’s first period in charge in 2020, has played 185 times for the Staggies.

The highlight of his first five years in County colours came when he helped the Dingwall side finish sixth in the Premiership in 2022.

After winning two relegation play-off finals, they lost to Livingston last May, dropping into the Championship with St Johnstone, who are top of the league and on course for the instant return that County were looking for.

It has been a campaign to forget for County, with any pre-season expectations of winning the league being met with poor form and a change of two managers.

Don Cowie and his successor Tony Docherty left the club because of the side’s struggles at the foot of the table, with Stuart Kettlewell returning to the Global Energy Stadium in December.

Four wins from eight league games as well as six clean sheets in nine games have kept County competitive in the survival battle.

However, Tuesday’s 3-0 defeat at Dunfermline Athletic in their match in hand kept them bottom of the league behind Airdrieonians on goal difference. 

They are, however, just four points away from sixth-placed Raith Rovers with the group above them bunched tightly together.

‘We’re fighting for our lives’

Ahead of Saturday’s visit to third-placed Arbroath, former Liverpool youth player Randall, 30, detailed how he feels about the task at hand for these crunch closing nine fixtures.

He said: “It would mean everything to me for us to stay up.

“You spend so long at a club, which doesn’t happen too often, and I love this club and the people here.

“We’re fighting for the people. This club has represented the Highlands well, although last year was disappointing.

“This season has also not gone to plan, so getting us out of this situation is our only focus.

“We’re fighting for our lives and fighting for this club and for the people of this club.

“People have jobs who have been at Ross County for years. People adore the club and it means a lot to people.

“Everyone will be giving everything they can to turn it around and to get us to where we need to be.

“We will stick together and keep going. We have a belief within this squad. We’ve shown on numerous occasions what we can do when we’re on it.

“With the number of games left, we have to keep producing week after week.

“We can’t afford to win one week and then be inconsistent the next.

“It all stems from having the fight and determination.”

‘Everyone is hurting’

The midfielder said every negative result for County lingers for days but he’s determined to help turn their fortunes around.

He said: “Football affects your feelings and your moods.

“Results on Saturday determine your mood going home and on Sundays and when you come back in on Mondays. That’s natural.

“When you care so much about the club, it does affect you. Everyone is affected by it, this season and last season that’s been the case. Everyone is hurting.

“Everyone is giving everything we can to try and get us out of this situation. It’s about us pulling together.

“Any success this club has had has come from everyone pulling together and giving everything you have got for the badge and for the place and the people here.”

‘You have to put the fight in first’

Randall’s first taste of playing against Arbroath at their famous gusty Gayfield venue beside the North Sea came in November when the hosts roared to a 3-0 win. 

The Red Lichties have lost only one home league game this season and Randall now knows the minimum required to try to take a positive result from Angus.

He added: “This was my first experience of playing at Arbroath. I had heard stuff about it and it lived up to those reputations.

“Every game in this league is a battle. It’s a tough and physical league.

“You must win your battle in any game to stand a chance of getting anything, especially somewhere like Arbroath. Many teams struggle there.

“We’re fighting for our lives now. We’re fighting for this club, and we need to show that.

“It will be a battle on Saturday, and we have to stand up to that. There are different ways to win games and, in this league, you have to put the fight in first.”

The two teams directly above County – Queen’s Park and Airdrie – meet on Saturday at 1pm at the City Stadium, therefore a win for the Staggies would ensure they rise at least one position.

[Source: Press and Journal]