I’m desperate to beat relegation – I’ll miss my best pals’ wedding otherwise, reveals Premiership star
ROSS LAIDLAW wants Ross County’s future sorted by the end of the regular season — so he can go to his best mate’s WEDDING rather than the play-off final.
The goalie’s old pal Martin is due to tie the knot the week after his team's final game against Motherwell.
That would have been an issue in each of the past two seasons, when the Staggies have ended up in the last-chance saloon before beating the drop.
Don Cowie’s side are currently tenth — one point ahead of Dundee, who occupy the play-off berth.
And Laidlaw hopes they can take care of business a little earlier this time around — starting with a win at Kilmarnock on Saturday.
He said: “The past few seasons have not been great for time off at the end of the season.
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“It would be good to have that week off as my mate Martin is getting married during the week of the play-off final.
“He was my best pal at school and I’ve grown up with him.
“He booked it earlier in the season and said I should make it.
“So we’re both hoping we have enough points to not be in the play-offs. That’s a motivation!
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“We’ve not had a bad season but we’ve ended up still in this position.
“We’ve picked up 35 points so far, which is a good return.
“Teams getting in the top six are on 41 points, so we’ve not been a million miles off getting in the top six.
“It just shows how fine the margins are at this level. Results for or against can have massive consequences.
“These head-to-heads are all six-pointers — starting on Saturday.
“There is a lot to play for and there will be nervy moments over the next four or five games.
“If we don’t get a result on Saturday, it’s not a disaster because there are four games after that.
“But we’re just looking to get the points as soon as we can so that we don’t have a repeat of the play-offs.
“We have been there in the last couple of years. Two years ago we survived by the skin of our teeth.
“We know what the consequences can be when you’re in those play-offs. We will just look after ourselves and try to pick up as many points as we can.”
Laidlaw’s own future also needs to get sorted, with the keeper no longer Cowie’s first choice.
An injury ruled the 32-year-old out earlier this season and Jordan Amissah has held on to the gloves since his return to fitness.
Laidlaw, who has a year to run on his current deal, confirmed he will sit down with boss Cowie to discuss the situation.
But he is happy to put the issue to one side while survival remains the club’s No 1 priority.
He added: “I got a bad injury, so I was out for three months with that.
“That kept me out from the end of November until the middle of February.
“Jack Hamilton came in for three or four games, and then Jordi came in short-term and he’s done really well in the games he’s played so far. Fair play to him.
“It’s a case of me training right and giving the manager a headache, then seeing what he goes with.
“I will put in good training performances and take it from there.
“I will need to speak to the club at the end of the season.
“I don’t think now is the right time or place. So I will sit down in the summer and discuss it.
“I’ve still another year left after this season.
“At 32, I want to be playing every week at the highest level.
“I’ll speak to the club and we’ll see what’s what. I don’t want to be a distraction in the background.
“Jordi has done well and I respect that. I’ve tried to keep my head down and work hard.
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“It’s not the right time or place, given the position we’re in right now.
“With so many important games, the last thing the manager needs is me chapping his door, asking these questions.”
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