Lawson feels the loss of assistant manager

Paul Lawson will never forget the support Neale Cooper gave him.

Frozen out of the firstteam picture at Ross County, the cajoling and enthusiasm of his assistant manager kept Lawson’s head high and his determination strong.

Lawson went four months without a start during County’s first season in the Premiership in 2012-13.

He came back in the second half of the campaign, starting 18 straight games as the Staggies finished fifth – their highest league placing.

The sadness surrounding Cooper’s passing on Monday was felt strongly by Lawson, now manager at Highland League side Formartine United, who credits the 54-year-old as having a huge impact on him.

Lawson said: “You heard stories about what kind of guy he was but he came in when I was out of favour with the manager at the time and not in a great place.

“I found myself isolated and it was hard to take. It was difficult but just seeing him every morning, he always put a smile on your face.

“Whether he had words with the manager I don’t know, but slowly I got myself back in the team. You might think it’s such a small thing being out of the team but it was a difficult time.

“I can never thank him enough.

“He always kept your spirits up and he’s one of the guys you wished you met earlier in your career.”

He said Neale Cooper had a great rapport with the players, and was perfect as a link between manager and players.

“The boys took to him straight away,” he said.

Life as a neighbour of Neale Cooper’s was never going to be dull.

Late-night runs to the supermarket became a regular order for Michael Fraser during the pair’s time living close by in flats in Inverness.

Goalkeeper Fraser played two seasons at Ross County while Cooper was assistant

“Cooper always managed to put a smile on your face”