Gaffer is seriously good fun
MARCUS FRASER believes the secret to Owen Coyle’s early success at Ross County is a sense of fun and laughter.
But the former Celtic defender knows all merriment stops and the mood darkens the moment standards slip or someone steps out of line.
Coyle quickly won over the Dingwall dressing room by making sure there were smiles on the players’ faces as they went about their daily graft.
Results have improved under the former Burnley, Bolton and Blackburn boss, with the Staggies now just a point off the top six heading into Saturday’s daunting test against champions Celtic.
Fraser said: “Training is high intensity and everything is done with purpose.
“The gaffer likes everyone with a smile on their face but if it is not done right he is quick in telling you.
“The boys know they can express themselves but as soon as you step over the mark he tells you in no uncertain terms.
“The boys have been working with him a month or so now, we know when we can have a laugh and a joke – but on the pitch it’s very serious.
“When you come up against better sides, you need to have belief and trust in your teammates, something we have in abundance here.
“Against teams like Celtic, it is about testing yourself against the very best players.”