Saints manager Danny Lennon believes some of his players may have been distracted on Saturday afternoon by the club’s forthcoming League Cup game with Celtic.
Lennon did not mention this Sunday’s widely anticipated clash with the Hoops during his pre-match talk.
But he hinted that one or two players may have had one eye on the Scottish Communities League Cup showdown at Hampden.
He said: “I didn’t mention the Celtic game at all because even if it was a focus in a player’s head, if I mentioned it, then I’m putting it into other players’ heads - who may not have been thinking about it.
“Having said that, I did have a pop at them about it in the dressing room after the game.
“From the evidence today, there is something that’s had a part to play in our defeat and that’s not taking anything away from Ross County.
“Our League Cup quarter-final defeat at home to Ayr United was a real disappointment but the manner in which this defeat has come along, I don’t mind admitting that I’m really hurting.”
Midfielder Conor Newton made his debut at the weekend but he was replaced in a tactical change at the start of the second 45.
Lennon added: “We wanted to get some width down both sides because Ross County pressed the game pretty high.”
