Bad chemistry? I’m skipper and there’s never been bother with Jim and team
DINGWALL GAFFER’S SACKING RUMBLES ON Davies shoots down MacGregor’s unrest claim
ROSS COUNTY skipper Andrew Davies has accused club chairman Roy MacGregor of talking nonsense. The big defender spoke out in defence of sacked manager Jim McIntyre and said there was no “chemistry” problem between the gaffer and his players. MacGregor binned the boss and his assistant Billy Dodds on Monday, citing poor home form and his relationship with the playing staff. The Staggies chairman said: “Somewhere along the line the chemistry between the manager and his players was not producing results. “Home form and how you excite your supporters – we are in an entertainment business – are key to football clubs.” McIntyre guided County to the League Cup in March 2016 – the club’s one and only major trophy win. The Staggies also finished sixth and seventh respectively in the last two seasons but a bad start to this campaign saw the Dingwall men go six home games, and seven overall, without a win. That has left them in 10th spot just one point above Partick and Kilmarnock who currently share last place in the Scottish Premiership. However, Davies has blasted MacGregor and refuted any suggestion there were any issues inside the Staggies dressing room. The Englishman is still unhappy McIntyre and Dodds have been shown the door. He said: “Whether Roy has used the phrase ‘chemistry’ in a different way and it has been taken out of context I do not know. “But as club captain I can categorically state there has never been any problem with the players and the
ANTHONY HAGGERTY
manager in the time I have been here. I do not understand where he is coming from with that comment. In my time at Ross County we have done nothing but smile.
“At any club there are always going to be players who are unhappy at not playing. To hear that we were not behind the manager, or that there was any chemistry problem, is just nonsense.
“The Ross County lads to a man were 100 per cent behind Jim and Billy.
“Just look at what they have achieved since they came here.
“It is really quite amazing for a club like ours to have scaled the kind of heights they have done.
“Winning the League Cup was a massive achievement. The fans knew winning a trophy was huge.
“We are well aware we have not had a good start to the season and our league form has not been the best.
“However, you have to take into account the fact we have played Aberdeen, Celtic, Hibs and Rangers during our first seven league games of the season.
“Realistically we all set targets, the manager did too, and we did not hit them or reach them but we now have some games coming up where we have a better chance of getting some points on the board.
“I am hurt and saddened by the departure of Jim and Billy.
“We are a bit hurt too because nobody was aware of anything like this being in the pipeline. The timing of it all has shocked everybody.
“The manager and his No.2 brought some great times to Ross County that the club may never see again but the chairman is the top person and it’s his decision that is final. I will respect that decision and move on.
“I was unhappy with it though as the manager supported me a lot at the start when I was away from my family.
“He was absolutely fantastic and told me if I needed any time off then it was fine. I have played under some managers who wouldn’t do that so I appreciated his support during that difficult period.
“I am disappointed they have both gone from the club but I am sure wherever Jim and Billy end up and whatever the next job is they go into they will be very successful.
“I wish them both well and hope they have every success in the future.”
The 32-year-old defender also reckons losing two pivotal players over the last two close seasons, Liam Boyce and Jackson Irvine, has had a huge effect on County’s early-season results.
He added: “We lost Liam to Burton Albion last summer and he had scored 24 goals for us last season. He was not only our top scorer but also one of the leading strikers in Scotland.
“Jackson Irvine also left the club for Burton, albeit it was the summer before, and although the manager has brought in some quality players to replace these guys it was always going to be a hard task replacing such an influential pairing.
“People tend to forget they were two massive players for us – both on and off the pitch.
“They were a really big influence around the place and any team would take a hit if they lost the services
of those two guys.” kickstart his career back in the Scottish top flight.
Former County boss Neale Cooper is backing Coyle to lift the Staggies dressing room.
Coyle was a loan signing of Cooper’s in 2000 and the former Aberdeen star said: “I was a bit shocked when I heard but only because I hadn’t thought of him as a possible candidate.
“But when I was told it made absolute sense.
“We brought Owen in on loan from Dunfermline and he did a great job for me.
“His experience rubbed off on the rest of the lads. He was thoughtful and a leader.”
I am hurt and saddened by the departure of Jim and Billy ANDREW DAVIES