Sorry that I didn’t trust you, Don!
County chief admits boss should have got job before Adams saga
ROSS COunty chairman Roy MacGregor last night confirmed that Don Cowie will lead the club in the top flight next season after they secured survival by blowing Raith Rovers away.
the interim boss, who stepped in following Derek Adams’ resignation after just 12 games, will be offered the job permanently after County’s 4-0 play-off victory in Dingwall, which arrived courtesy of a Simon Murray double and goals from Jordan White and Brandon Khela.
MacGregor insisted that Cowie had always been destined to be given the role, whether Premiership status was secured or not, and admitted regret that he did not make the 41-year-old his first choice after sacking Malky Mackay last november.
‘Don was told before he got the job that it was his no matter what happened,’ he said. ‘But I didn’t want the interruption of speaking to his agent and all that during an important time, so we just left it the way it was.
‘It was difficult for him. I made a mistake because he wanted the job when Malky left but I didn’t think it was fair to put him into that at the time. I got it wrong, so I am delighted for him. He has a bond with the players, him being a local boy has been important.’
Cowie gave an indication he would accept the offer after a conversation on the direction they want to take the team and club. He said: ‘What was said all along was that the chairman saw me as the person to take this club forward.
‘We didn’t need any distractions. Our main focus was keeping this club in the Premiership.
‘At any club, you need to have a conversation about how that looks going forward, and we’ll have that chat. I’ve said all along I want to be a manager, and I felt I was ready three months ago.’
now hoping to avoid the club’s third successive flirtation with relegation, Cowie said: ‘the more you’re down there, eventually you will fall, it’s up to me to make sure that doesn’t happen.’
After an uncomfortable season spiked with managerial turmoil, erratic form and a fraught scrap near the foot of the table, County finally secured safety with minimum fuss.
All very different from last year against Partick, with extra-time and penalties settling matters after a dramatic comeback.
For Raith, the wait for a topflight return stretches into a 28th year. A late goal in last week’s 2-1 first-leg defeat at Stark’s Park offered hope but, for all their spirit, endeavour and decent play, they couldn’t crack a rock-solid County defence.
Despite a positive start yesterday, they were undone in a flash in the 19th minute.
Will nightingale speared a superb ball across from the right which only just eluded White. Murray connected with a header at the far post to give his team a two-goal aggregate advantage.
Rovers forced an immediate corner and Liam Dick’s header had to be plucked from under the bar by home keeper Ross Laidlaw.
the visitors carved out two more big chances. Dylan Corr was unable to force the ball into the net after a saving challenge by Ryan Leak. then, a clever Dylan Easton pass sent Lewis Vaughan into the penalty area. the striker cut a shot low towards the far corner but Laidlaw made a brilliant fingertip save.
the second half was less than two minutes old when County doubled their lead and made it 4-1 on aggregate.
Keeper Kevin Dabrowski had to backtrack frantically to push away a ball that spun off a Raith defender and almost dropped inside the angle of post and bar.
From the corner, whipped across by yan Dhanda at pace, White rose unchallenged to head home.
Raith had to gamble. Frontman Zak Rudden replaced defender Ross Matthews as boss Ian Murray switched to a back three with a four-man attack.
County resisted and Dhanda glided into space on the left, flashing a 25-yard attempt just wide. He will be sorely missed on his departure to Hearts.
then came the goal that sank any lingering hopes for Raith.
White was the supplier and Murray took one touch before flashing home the third.
Still Raith fought on, one Easton strike spectacularly tipped over the bar by Laidlaw.
County sub Khela thumped home the fourth with five minutes remaining, merely rubbing salt in Raith wounds.
Raith boss Murray said: ‘you have to give Ross County credit because they punished us. they were clinical, their goals were good strikes and they put you to the sword if you allow them. And that’s a team at the bottom end of the Premiership.’
ROSS COUNTY (3-4-1-2): Laidlaw 7; Nightingale 7, Baldwin 7, Leak 7; Brown 7 (Efete 87), Randall 7 (Allardice 87), King 6 (Loturi 33), Harmon 7; DHANDA 8 (Khela 76); Murray 8 (Henderson 87), White 7. Booked: Brown. Manager: Don Cowie 7. RAITH ROVERS (4-2-3-1): Dabrowski 7; Matthews 6 (Rudden 53), Corr 6, Murray 6, Dick 7; Brown 6, Byrne 6; Stanton 7 (Connolly 78), Mullin 6 (C Smith 64), Easton 7; Vaughan 6 (Hamilton 78). Booked: Brown, Easton. Manager: Ian Murray 5. Referee: Don Robertson 8. Attendance: