Josh Reid believes Saturday’s trip to East Kilbride could give him another chance to press his case for a regular Ross County place, after Lewis Strapp was forced off with a dislocated shoulder in Tuesday’s top-of-the-table clash with Hamilton.
Reid has had to be patient this season, with just a single league start to his name, while Strapp’s strong form since arriving in Dingwall in the summer has kept the left-back spot hard to win. But the Ross County defender said he is doing everything he can to make sure he is noticed whenever the opportunity comes around.
“Even if you’re not playing, you just have to crack on,” Reid said. “Everyone will play their part this season, so I just work as hard as I can in the hope that the manager notices I’m knocking at the door.”
Reid says patience is part of the job
The 11-minute cameo on Tuesday may not have been the sort of appearance Reid had been expecting, but he felt he handled it well enough to keep himself in the conversation. That is the challenge for any squad player: stay ready, make an impression, and trust that the next chance arrives quickly.
Reid said the coaching staff have made that message clear. They want the group to keep working, avoid frustration, and stay prepared for selection calls that can change from one week to the next.
“The coaching staff have made it clear that it’s not acceptable to throw your toys out of the pram,” he said. “It’s only October, so if you’re not playing now you like to think you will get a chance down the line, and everyone is pushing in the right direction.”
East Kilbride offers a fresh test
Ross County’s next task takes them to the K-Park Training Academy, a venue they have never previously played at. Reid said he expects a different challenge, but one the squad are ready for.
“I’ve heard the Astro is decent, so it’s another test and one we’re all looking forward to,” he said. “I couldn’t tell you how many stadiums I’ve played in to be fair, but I’ll be adding to the 42 on Saturday.”
He also expects East Kilbride to ask questions in possession. Reid described them as a good side who like to play out from the back, with a goalkeeper comfortable on the ball and a team that has not changed much since Ross County last saw them.
“They’re a good side, and they play some nice stuff,” Reid said. “They play out from the back, and their goalkeeper is good with the ball at his feet. It doesn’t feel like too long ago since we played them, so we know what they will be like.”
Competition for places stays intense
For Reid, the situation is straightforward. Strapp has been playing well, Ross County have been winning important minutes for different players in the KDM Evolution Trophy, and the squad mood remains positive.
That makes Saturday important not only for the result, but for anyone trying to make a claim for more starts. Reid already scored his first senior goal for the club during the Trophy campaign, and he is hoping that contribution, plus his attitude in training, keeps him in the manager’s thoughts.
“The KDM has been good for me and all the boys who haven’t been getting regular minutes in the league,” he said. “It’s a really tight-knit group, we are all pushing in the same direction this year, so the vibes around the place are very good.”
Ross County now head to East Kilbride looking to continue that momentum. If Strapp is unavailable, Reid may get the opening he has been waiting for. If not, his message is the same: keep working, keep knocking, and wait for the next chance.
