Ross County's time in the William Hill Scottish Cup this season was brief but the reaction which followed has been lasting.

The Dingwall side were knocked out in a replay by Highland rivals Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Tuesday night but that match stood out in the mind of Colin McMenamin yesterday for very different reasons.

The County striker had failed to score a goal which might have allowed his side to endure in the competition but he followed his team-mates off the pitch to the sound of applause and the acclaim of supporters. From the depths of disappointment, County had sounded a rallying cry.

The side will turn their attentions to the league this afternoon – and more precisely the visit of bottom side Dundee – and their efforts will be fuelled by the support they were given in Inverness. Yet it also served to show how fans want their side to respond to that cup defeat; by producing a similarly rousing display today.

"It is a massive game for us against Dundee," said McMenamin, who spent two years with Dundee. "They are down at the bottom with us, so it is very important we go out and put on a show for the fans.

"They were brilliant through in Inverness for the derby. They sang from the first minute to the last and they applauded us off the park at the end of the game. We're grateful to them for that because we didn't manage to get them a result, yet they still backed us all the way."

Colin Nish has been left to show his support from the sidelines, although the Dundee striker has not been able to feel quite as good about it. He missed the derby with United last weekend due to suspension and an afternoon spent sitting in a stand at Dens Park proved to be a painful experience.

"I was absolutely gutted to miss the game," said the striker, who is on-loan from Hartlepool United. "I was watching the lads warming up before last week's game against Dundee United and I was just raring to go but, obviously, I couldn't.

"It's really hard not being able to help the lads in any way. You just feel helpless. It is torture and if you could get away with not coming to the games, I would maybe think about it but you have to be there to support the boys. I am not used to sitting in the stand watching games so I am just delighted to be back because I'm a terrible spectator."

He will return to the side this afternoon and will also hope to play a central role in Dundee's efforts to avoid relegation this season after agreeing to extend his loan deal. The forward is only waiting for his parent club to sign off on the new agreement.

"I am happy here and probably the happiest I have been for a while," he said.

ROSS COUNTY v DUNDEE McMenamin intent on giving supporters a result to shout about

Ross County's time in the William Hill Scottish Cup this season was brief but the reaction which followed has been lasting. The Dingwall side were knocked out in a replay by Highland rivals Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Tuesday night but that match stood out in the mind of Colin McMenamin yesterday for very different reasons.

The County striker had failed to score a goal which might have allowed his side to endure in the competition but he followed his team-mates off the pitch to the sound of applause and the acclaim of supporters. From the depths of disappointment, County had sounded a rallying cry.

The side will turn their attentions to the league this afternoon – and more precisely the visit of bottom side Dundee – and their efforts will be fuelled by the support they were given in Inverness. Yet it also served to show how fans want their side to respond to that cup defeat; by producing a similarly rousing display today.

"It is a massive game for us against Dundee," said McMenamin, who spent two years with Dundee. "They are down at the bottom with us, so it is very important we go out and put on a show for the fans.

"They were brilliant through in Inverness for the derby. They sang from the first minute to the last and they applauded us off the park at the end of the game. We're grateful to them for that because we didn't manage to get them a result, yet they still backed us all the way."

Colin Nish has been left to show his support from the sidelines, although the Dundee striker has not been able to feel quite as good about it. He missed the derby with United last weekend due to suspension and an afternoon spent sitting in a stand at Dens Park proved to be a painful experience.

"I was absolutely gutted to miss the game," said the striker, who is on-loan from Hartlepool United. "I was watching the lads warming up before last week's game against Dundee United and I was just raring to go but, obviously, I couldn't.

"It's really hard not being able to help the lads in any way. You just feel helpless. It is torture and if you could get away with not coming to the games, I would maybe think about it but you have to be there to support the boys. I am not used to sitting in the stand watching games so I am just delighted to be back because I'm a terrible spectator."

He will return to the side this afternoon and will also hope to play a central role in Dundee's efforts to avoid relegation this season after agreeing to extend his loan deal. The forward is only waiting for his parent club to sign off on the new agreement.

"I am happy here and probably the happiest I have been for a while," he said.