SCOTT BOYD admits the success of near-neighbours Inverness Caledonian Thistle have set the bar for Ross County's ambitions in the coming season.
The long-serving defender, now entering his ninth season at the Highland club, watched with envy as the Inverness men soared in the Premiership and shone in the Scottish Cup.
Boyd sees no reason why County, a club of similar size and supporter-base, cannot emulate their fierce rivals by challenging in the top six and striving for silverware.
The 29-year-old said: " You have to take inspiration from what Inverness have achieved.
"They have obviously done brilliantly since I first came up here to Ross County and they're a credit to themselves.
"Las season was immense for them, obviously, and hopefully we can do something like that as well.
"We're as optimistic as we have ever been going into a new campaign, having strengthened the squad really well. It's the best-prepared I've seen us going into any season.
"We're not talking about specific targets but a good start is massively important.
"The manager has emphasised that and, unlike last season, we have to make sure we don't end up playing catch-up.
"We've really worked hard in pre-season, though to make sure we are ready for that – and I'm optimistic."
Playing the champions away on flag day is hardly conducive to a good start, of course, but Boyd stressed: "We had them on the first day a couple seasons ago and did well.
"It's nothing new for us. It is just another game to look forward to.We know it'll be tough, but they all are in this league. We feel ready for it."
County have made a dozen signings over the summer as manager Jim McIntyre re-shapes the squad with the type of player he feels will suit his style of play.
On the face of it, it appears a powerful group – with captures such as Andrew Davies, the former Middlesbrough and Bradford City defender, exemplifying the level of investment ploughed in by chairman Roy MacGregor.
Boyd said: "We've worked hard, here at home and over in our summer camp in Hungary, to bed everyone in and gel as a group. We've made good progress.
"That's always important, especially when you bring in a few new faces.
"We obviously had to strengthen with players moving on and the great things is we seem to have competition in every position. You have to fight for your place."
Manager McIntyre will take his team south intent on winning the match, but won't throw caution to the wind.
The former Dunfermline and Queen of the South boss stressed: "The first time we played Celtic here last season we tried to press them high and we got a chasing.
"In the next two games, we made sure we were difficult to beat and picked up a point in one of them while the other brought defeat from a late goal.
"From that point of view, a similar type performance will be required.
"Whenever you go to Parkhead, you always know you have to be at your best, with everyone at it.
"Your goalie is always going to need to make saves because they've got such good players. It is up to us to go there and put on as good a performance as we can."
McIntyre dismisses the notion that Celtic's Champions League preoccupations could play in County's favour.
He added: "They've got the depth in their squad to cope with the fixtures. They're a massive club and they've got good players.
"But it is all about what happens on the day. As other teams have proved before, you can go there and get a result. We've got to believe we can do that."
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