The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Cowie: Every game I play is bonus for me
Don Cowie marked his 37 th birthday with the elation of celebrating a late goal for his boyhood club.
It was made all the sweeter by the fact the Ross County playercoach is less than a month back after nine on the sidelines with a knee injury that threatened to curtail his career.
He owes much to the support of co-managers Steven Ferguson and Stuart Kettlewell during his time out, plus their faith in him to come back and immediately play a role in the side.
Feelings such as Saturday’s late draw, given to the Staggies by Billy Mckay’s stoppagetime equaliser, made all the hard work in his comeback worthwhile.
Cowie said: “For me to be back playing is massive. To be part of this club, it’s something I’ve been brought up with my whole life. It’s taken me to 37 to make my competitive start for them in the Premiership at home. I didn’t think that would happen.
“I’ve got two managers who’ve shown tremendous faith in me and as long as I can help them in any way, I’ll be delighted. It’s one I’ll remember and I’m delighted not to lose.
“There’s family here at every game – they’ve been massive for me through my career and long may that continue.
“It’s happened a lot quicker than I thought after being out for nine months. It comes down to the management having faith that I can make an impact in the team and around the squad, whether that’s starting or on the bench.
“The way I look at it now is everything’s a bonus. After those nine months it is tough but I stuck at it.
“These days and these feelings you don’t get a lot, so you have to make the most of them when they come.”
Cowie has now featured in six consecutive games after his lay-off. The experienced midfielder, who has also played for Caley Thistle, Wigan Athletic and Hearts during his career, did question whether he would ever make it back to being a first-team player again.
Cowie added: “I did doubt it, of course. On the flip-side, it’s enabled me to really concentrate on coaching the under18s, which I love, but I still really want to play for the first-team.
“You start to think when it gets to seven or eight months that time’s up but not once did anyone in the club question me.
“They put an arm around me and kept me going. It’s great to be involved again. I just take every session and every game as a bonus.”