Davies has no reason to fear the big Bhoys
The strikes from Steven Craig and Martin Scott in the 2010 Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic not only propelled Ross County to their first major final but signalled their intention to continue progressing year on year.
Almost six years on from that hampden triumph, who could possibly dispute that the club has continued to thrive?
Promotion to the top flight was achieved in 2012 with subsequent finishes of fifth, seventh and ninth now in danger of being eclipsed this term after the weekend win at Motherwell took Jim McIntyre’s side up to fourth place in the league.
They now have all the hallmarks of an established Premiership club. Defeating Ronny Deila’s side at hampden in next Sunday’s League Cup semi-final naturally remains a tall order, but an upset would hardly be on the same scale as that of 2010.
Indeed, to paraphrase skipper Andrew Davies, County’s continued development since that famous day makes the game eminently winnable.
‘You want to get your name out there as a team,’ Davies said. ‘But Ross County are not a little team any more. The club is getting stronger and better and that’s why I came here.
‘I had offers in england, but he (McIntyre) said where he wants to take the club and I believed him.
‘That was a massive attraction. The past six months have shown me what he is trying to do. We are going forward, which is great.’
Which is not to say that County will start as anything other than distant outsiders. Celtic may have lost semis to St Mirren and Inverness Caley Thistle in recent times but, even allowing for the fact County are in with a sniff of europe, a win for the Dingwall men would still go down as an act of giant-killing.
This time last year, while at Bradford, a visit to Chelsea in the FA Cup saw that become Davies’ specialist subject. Two goals down, the League One side fired four past Jose Mourinho’s men without reply.
‘It wasn’t a fluke,’ Davies (below) recalled. ‘We played really well and it was one of those weird days.
‘We took every chance we had and to win 4-2 was the best win of my career by far. It was massive. Jose Mourinho was brilliant. he came into our changing-room after the game and said: ‘You deserved it.’
‘Full credit to him. Those are the moments why you play football.
‘I want to have that same feeling on Sunday and it can happen, you never know.’
The ongoing absence of Liam Boyce aside, McIntyre has good grounds to be optimistic.
Motherwell’s profligacy in front of goal probably cost them a point they just about deserved but the invention and desire of the visitors throughout was impressive.
The fact the Staggies’ opening goal came from the boot of Jackson Irvine — who was initially listed on the bench — said much about their ‘can do’ attitude.
It was a brutal concession from Mark McGhee’s point of view, his side naively being sucked towards the front post at Ian McShane’s corner. The perfectlyexecuted ploy allowed the Australian to control the ball and bludgeon it over the line.
Louis Moult, Chris Cadden and Scott McDonald were all left cursing their luck in front of goal before Irvine strode away on the counter to set up the second on 69 minutes. he intelligently picked out substitute Stewart Murdoch who in turn rolled Brian Graham in for a tap-in.
Stephen Pearson’s clinical strike with four minutes remaining set up a grandstand finish but Scott Fox’s spectacular save to keep out Keith Lasley denied McGhee’s men a point.
McGhee was right to view the defeat in context. Sides have played much worse and won games.
If the one unforgiveable aspect was the elementary manner in which the first goal was shipped, the positives were the numerous chances created and an impressive first start for right-midfielder Cadden.
The 19-year-old looks to have both the ability and temperament to cut it at this level.
‘I’m disappointed with the result but it was a great experience,’ said Cadden — son of former Motherwell player Steve and twin brother of Airdrie winger Nicky.
‘Seeing the gaffer throwing in youngsters gives you belief. When you are playing Under-20s every week, it’s good to see there’s a pathway to the first team. I’ve seen Ben hall, Dom Thomas and Jack Leitch all get their chance. It was my turn
and I loved it.’