SCOTT FOX is setting aside Scotland ambitions for now for the good of Ross County’s season – and his own peace of mind.
The former Celtic and Partick Thistle goalkeeper’s sparkling form has so far failed to garner favour from embattled national coach Gordon Strachan despite a clutch of outstanding displays in the new campaign.
Fox is a realist, though, and knows the No.1 jersey is one of the most fiercely-contested within the troubled national team.
Strachan has proven a fan of Fox in the past, rewarding his form at Partick with a call-up to the squad for friendlies against Norway and the USA in November 2013.
Previous to that, Strachan had valued the then-youngster at Celtic as regular back-up to Poland internationalist Artur Boruc.
In order to remain focused on County’s progress and ambitions, though, Fox admits it has been crucial to shut out thoughts of representing his country during the early months of this season.
The 29-year-old said: “I’m just concentrating on Ross County for now. Scotland have goalkeepers there who are playing at a higher level than me and doing very well.
“It is just about me doing as well as I can, consistently, for Ross County – and trying to turn in good performances and help get points on the board.
“I can’t afford to think so much about Scotland because, then, if I don’t get into the squad I’ll just get frustrated.
“I’m fully focused on Ross County and, hopefully, we can push up the table.”
Two of Fox’s fine recent performances came in the scoreless draws away to Rangers and Hearts, although the County keeper is quick to stress those were powerful all-round team displays.
Those results, despite the home setback against St Johnstone before the international break, boosted confidence travelling to Pittodrie – a ground where they triumphed 4-0 in the final game of last season.
Fox said: “Pittodrie is one of those trips you look forward to – Aberdeen, a big stadium, nice pitch.
“They’ll be a good side as well. We know it is going to be difficult but, as a team, we relish these challenges.
“We showed against Rangers and Hearts we can go to these places and get a result but, even last year, we showed it.
“We got a result in the last game of last season through in Aberdeen and we’ll look to get another positive result this weekend.
“We’ve done not too badly against them, but we know it is going to be difficult. We’re not under any illusions about that. They’re a good side but we’re going through there with a bit of confidence.”
Fox will reserve judgement for now on whether Aberdeen are the second strongest team in the Premiership, but believes they should be scrapping it out with the Ibrox and Tynecastle clubs for best of the rest behind Celtic.
Fox said: “We obviously haven’t played them yet this year, so it is hard to say. Rangers down there and Hearts, too, were very good against us.
“But we know the league is going to be tight and it is probably going to be those three challenging for second place.
“But we also know, as results have shown, we can get something against those teams.”
“We knew at the start of the season, Rangers coming up into the league took away one of those top six positions.
“They would obviously expect to get there, so it puts a bit more pressure on them.
“But for us, as a club, we want to push forward and last year’s top-six finish is the minimum we want to achieve this year.
“Our recent away form has been good with the two recent results in the central belt and beating Caley Thistle on their patch as well.
“We’re decent on the road and, even with a few injuries now, hopefully we can get a decent result because, obviously, the St Johnstone game was disappointing.”
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