SCOTT BOYD has given blood, sweat and tears to the Ross County cause but still believes he owes the Dingwall club.

The defender is determined to help steer Derek Adams's side to SPFL Premiership safety as payback for a clutch of unforgettable career moments.

In six years with the Highlanders, the 27-year-old has savoured two league titles, promotion to the top flight, top-six football and the charge to the 2010 Scottish Cup final.

Signed from Partick Thistle in 2008, Boyd spent seven weeks out of favour this season before returning to action for their most recent game before today's trip to St Johnstone, a 1-1 draw at home to the Firhill side.

It was his longest spell out of the team. Boyd said: "It was a frustrating time but hopefully I can kick on now in the last 10 games of the season.

"I've been fortunate to be part of a great era of success at this club and I want to make sure they stay in the Premiership. It's not about me. It's about Ross County staying in the division.

"We are all focused on making sure that happens. It's a different challenge to those we have faced in the past. We have achieved so much at the club and it has taken us so long to get here that we don't want to go back.

"Some of us at the club have been there before and know what it's like to play in the lower leagues. But it's not something we're even considering. We're just going to keep working hard on the training field and in matches to get the results the club need."

While the driving force for Boyd is to ensure County avoid finishing in the relegation play-off slot, David Wotherspoon admits his is to see off his former club Hibernian in the chase for the final top-six place.

The midfielder, who shone in the Perth side's 1-0 midweek win over Dundee United in a stormy Tayside derby at Tannadice, said: "We have to push on now and claim that sixth spot. We have games coming up where we have a chance to close out Hibs.

"The derby win was an added bonus and put us four points ahead of Hibs. But now it is all about beating Ross County. We do have injuries, especially at the back, but we have strength in depth in the squad. That allows the manager to chop and change, giving guys a rest.

"Everyone wants to play but we have dealt well with the squad rotation. I and a couple of others have been in and out.

"But the important thing is that we are all working as a team and looking for a third win in a row. We have big games coming up, including the Scottish Cup semi-final with Aberdeen. There is plenty to drive us on."

Frazer Wright may feature on the St Johnstone bench for the match, which kicks off at 5.30pm, after making an unexpectedly rapid recovery from an ankle ligament injury.