Jack joins journey to help County get in gear
INJURED Jack Baldwin’s first request from new interim Ross County boss Don Cowie was to travel with the squad tonight and exert a captain’s influence against Rangers.
And Baldwin, like Cowie, believes restoring the Staggies’ togetherness will be key to pulling off Premiership survival.
His presence on the team bus and in the Ibrox dressing room, then, will be more than just symbolic.
It underlined Cowie’s desire to bring the whole squad back together after fractious times since Malky Mackay’s sacking.
Baldwin was happy to accept and said: “Whenever there is a change of manager, there is always a change in atmosphere.
“Obviously results and performances have been the driver for the way the camp has been in recent weeks. A change of manager gives us that chance to put that behind us, raise spirits and get everybody together to go again.”
Baldwin was diplomatic when asked about how difficult it had been for County players after perceived criticism of their – and Scottish football’s – standards by Cowie’s predecessor Derek Adams.
The 30-year-old added: “It’s never nice when you are criticised publicly. It’s something we have to deal with, take on the chin and get on with really.”
On tonight’s test, Cowie said: “I played in a team at Cardiff who had no superstars but I’d say it was the most collective team I’ve played under. We went on to win the Championship because of that.
“That’s what can happen when you are all pulling in the same direction.
“We’ve proven in the past we can cause upsets.
“We’ll look to have a game plan that causes the opposition problems.”