DECKCHAIR’S GETTING COMFY IN HIGHLANDS
Jordy’s loving laid-back life as he hits first Staggies goal
AS a kid Jordy Hiwula was so laid-back he earned the nickname Deckchair.
So swapping life in England’s bigger cities for the peace of the Highlands suits the former Manchester City youth.
Now aged 27 and with spells at Huddersfield, Coventry, Doncaster plus Portsmouth mixed in with numerous loans, Hiwula hopes his wanderings are over for the time being.
After heading County’s winner against Dunfermline on his home debut, he said: “I’m settling in well, it really suits me.
“Life here is different to where I’ve come from – quieter.
“I can come here and focus on my football without any distractions. I wanted to come here, switch off from the world and concentrate on my football.
“I’m really confident I can do well in the Premiership.
“I’ve watched a lot of it over the last couple of years and feel it’s a league that’s growing and improving.
“There are a lot of players being bought for big money in this league and moving on to different leagues.
“It’s definitely a league everyone is keeping an eye on and hopefully everyone at Ross County can continue on the success of last season.”
Hiwula produced a moment of class to win a tight contest in Dingwall. He added: “When
Keith Watson got down the left I decided to get across my man and flick it in the far post. Luckily it went in.
“It was good to get off the mark, especially here in front of the home crowd. I just have to build on it now.
“We have another game on Tuesday so hopefully the team and I can carry on this form.
“There are a lot of new boys here so it was good for us to get out in front of the home fans and play. It gets us used to the stadium and pitch.”
The Staggies controlled possession in the first half without seriously threatening the League One outfit.
The home side did have a narrow escape in 33 minutes when Chris Hamilton’s cross into the box from deep right was met superbly by the head of Lewis McCann. County’s Ross Laidlaw reacted with a strong parry but Craig Wighton on the rebound should have buried the ball.
The Staggies ended the first half without an attempt on goal but the home breakthrough came in 64 minutes.
A corner broke to Watson and the defender’s strike was redirected superbly by summer signing Hiwula, who leapt to glance a header into the top right corner of the net.
Malky Mackay’s side had to stand up to a barrage of Pars pressure, which saw Wighton strike the bar among several chances for a side still top of Group C with two wins.
Boss James McPake said: “We need to be more ruthless, like Ross County were, but I can’t really fault the players.
“We had the better of the chances and some of our play was excellent as well.
“The one thing about that group is they will work really hard and they showed that. They left nothing out there.
“The fans that came up with us were very appreciative of what the players gave.”