Simo Valakari has been pleased with preparations ahead of our rearranged KDM Evolution Trophy tie against Ross County on Tuesday evening.
The match was called off last week due to the visitors being unable to make it to Perth amid challenging weather conditions and an accident on the A9.
Our match away at Queen’s Park was also postponed on Saturday, this time due to a frozen pitch.
But the hard work has continued and Simo said: “It’s a big game for us. Of course, when you are in Scotland during the winter months, these things can happen.
“But it is no big hassle. We have been able to train as well as possible because we have a good training facility with the new all-weather pitch.
“We know it is a big challenge on Tuesday. We saw Ross County play their league match on Friday. They looked strong and confident with the new manager. It’s good to get playing again. It’s a cup competition where we want to be successful.”
Simo added: “We prepared for the Queen’s Park match as if it would be on. There are no other options. When there are ifs and buts, you lose the focus of the daily process.
“So the players had prepared very well, then came the call on Saturday morning. We had a plan for that also. We were back in on Sunday, and trained again today (Monday) to be ready for the game.”
This will be the squad’s first game since a 1-0 win against Arbroath on January 3 – and then there is then no weekend match due to the Scottish Cup.
Simo explained: “Maybe I would have started a different team last week than I would now. Now we maybe need to think that we have not played for 10 days, and then won’t play for another 10 days after Tuesday.
“There are players who need the playing time. But I always pick the team, starting line-up and squad that we think is the best for that match. That is the same tomorrow.
“We have a very strong squad and there are players who might be disappointed not to play as much as they would’ve liked. But we have big competition for places. As always, we need everyone. We need everyone. Whoever plays tomorrow, I know they will do a good job.”
Providing a fitness update, Simo added: “More or less all good. There is always something. But we will be strong tomorrow.”
