Dundee United boss Peter Houston says the memory of what happened the last time they faced Ross County in the Highlands will ensure there is no complacency in the Tangerine ranks on Saturday.
United travel north to face a Staggies side who have more than held their own in the SPL since winning promotion last season.
That alone would have Houston prepared for a difficult 90 minutes but the memory of County taking his side all the way to extra time and penalties in a League Cup tie in the Highlands means he is even more determined that his players will be prepared for what could be an onslaught in the early stages of the game.
Houston said: ”We definitely won’t be taking anything for granted. County have had a good season so far and the games they have lost have usually only been by the odd goal.
”They’re a good, well organised side and Dingwall is never an easy place to go to. We know that from personal experience as we have never had an easy game up there.
”In fact, the last time we were there we needed (goalkeeping coach) Stevie Banks to save us on penalties in the cup tie. They were probably the better side on the night so we know we face a really tough game.
”They’re good professionals who have been over the course before so I’m not surprised they have been holding their own since getting promoted.
”Their team hasn’t changed an awful lot over the past couple of seasons which brings continuity. Derek Adams has done well as a manager. He knows the club inside out and has a lot of good professionals at his disposal.”
Saturday’s match marks the start of a hectic spell of games for United with four out of the next five being away from home.
Houston would like nothing better than to start the sequence with a win against County but he acknowledged that the SPL is tighter than ever this season.
He added: ”We’ve come through a tough spell recently against a lot of good teams and we face another similarly hard run of games.
”The league is so tight these days that you cannot say with any certainty what’s going to happen. It makes it exciting for the fans. Just look at Dundee beating second-top Hibs 3-1 last weekend.”
United defender Keith Watson trained on Thursday after missing last Friday’s 3-3 draw with Kilmarnock due to a knee injury.