JIM McINTYRE believes St Johnstone offer a blueprint for what he would like to achieve at Ross County within the next few seasons.

The Dingwall club's manager holds the Perth club in high regard given the consistently impressive finishes they have achieved in Scotland's top flight on modest means.

County travel south on the back of a strong home victory over Hamilton Accies with McIntyre wary of reading too much into the host club's comparatively poor start to the campaign.

McIntyre, who has a fully-fit squad to pick from, said: "Billy Dodds and I both went down to see St Johnstone against Hearts.

"They're a threat, as they showed scoring three goals away from home in that defeat.

"I know Tommy was disappointed with the goals he did concede, and rightly so, but they showed plenty spirit being 3-1 down and coming back.

"As I say, they've got good players and they have been, for me, a steady side for years now. That's exactly what we want to become.

"We want to be known for being a seven out of 10 team, as they are.

"They've got experience right through the side and they have Murray Davidson back after some really bad injuries.

"He has been very unlucky and it is good to see them back playing."

County goalkeeper Scott Fox played a pivotal role in Saturday's win against Hamilton by saving an early Ali Crawford penalty.

The former Partick Thistle and Scotland squad keeper exited the match in the second half through illness, but is fit to play tonight.

McIntyre is at pains to ensure his players avoid falling into the trap of over-confidence after just one positive performance.

He said: "When you have a good result, you're looking forward to the next match. We know it is going to be difficult.

"There weren't a lot between the teams last year. In the two games we played back-to-back down there, they dominated the first half and we dominated the second. There was just the odd goal in it.

"We managed to beat them up here on our own patch.

"We take the confidence of Saturday's result with us but we have to make surer we're wary of their threats.

"It served us well last season just focusing on the game in front of us and we've got approach it like that.

"You are easy turned over in this league if you're not at your best. We know there will be good sides facing us every week. "The quality at this level is difficult, so we take the confidence from Saturday but know we need to do the right things against St Johnstone down there.

"We can certainly play better than what we did on Saturday, but we did what I would call the ugly side of the game quite well."

Meanwhile Saints manager Tommy Wright takes it as the ultimate compliment that other clubs are targeting his side.

Top-flight rivals have cast envious eyes at McDiarmid Park after four successive top-six finishes and Europa League spots.

And tonight’s rivals, Ross County, are among a clutch of clubs investing in a bid to emulate the Perth team.

“It’s nice to see some of their players saying they want to emulate what St Johnstone have done. “That speaks volumes for what we have done here over the last few years,” said Wright.

“Clubs are looking at us and saying ‘if St Johnstone can do it, we can do it.’ We take that as a huge compliment.”

The Staggies have been transformed from potential relegation fodder to potential top six candidates under Jim McIntyre and Billy Dodds, with a dozen new faces drafted in.

Wright said: “I have been really impressed with the job Jim and Billy have done at Ross County. It has been unbelievable.

“They will be the first to admit their chairman backed them in the window last season and again over the summer.

“It was important to get their own players in. Fair enough the finances were there but they had the hard job of identifying them.

“They have recruited well and they will probably feel they can be a top six side, as will quite a few teams this season.

“I have nothing but admiration for the work they have done up there. This is going to be a difficult game but it is one we are looking forward to.

“They have recruited more British players. Before at Ross County there was a tendency to look outwith the UK.

“Jim has put a real stamp on his squad and it is still a work in progress for him.”

The Dingwall club lured on-loan target man Brian Graham from Perth over the summer.

Wright admitted: “County had an offer in before us and we couldn’t match it. Good luck to him. There was no fall-out. We just couldn’t match what they offered and Brian went there.”