Cowie pleased with a job well done
ROSS COUNTY may have to keep the champagne on ice for another week after Dundee United’s win in Inverness, but midfielder Don Cowie knows Robbie Neilson’s side have only prolonged the inevitable.
The Staggies put themselves on the brink of an immediate return to the top flight on Friday with a 3-1 win at Ayr United — meaning a point at home to Queen of the South next weekend will be enough to crown them champions.
United’s win in Inverness keeps the title race alive, but with a six-point gap and just two games left, added to County’s huge goal-difference advantage, 35-year-old Cowie is set to add the second league title of his career after English Championship success with Cardiff in 2013.
‘We knew if we won on Friday it basically sealed it for us,’ said Cowie, who is mulling over retirement plans. ‘It was a massive win after quite a sloppy start.
‘But like we’ve done throughout the season, we responded. Whenever questions have been asked of us, we’ve answered them emphatically.
‘I was at a position in my career where the chance was there to come back to the club I started at. This was why I came back, to help get them back into the Premiership. It’s basically job done.
‘That was my main aim — I could have gone to other clubs or stayed at Hearts. I know I’m coming to the end of my career, so I thought it was a chance to achieve something special with my home-town club.’
With his playing days numbered, Cowie will have to start thinking about what his future holds.
He is not out of contract with County in the summer, but is wary of the effects continuing to play could have on his body.
He has started a coaching role with the club’s youth team so, even if he were to hang his boots up this summer, he would not be left twiddling his thumbs.
And while having the chance to play in the top flight with County is appealing, having not had the opportunity during his first spell with the club, the veteran won’t push his body beyond its limits just for sentimental value.
‘We’ll enjoy this while we can and then see what the management say about my future,’ said Cowie.
‘To play in the Premiership would be special but at the same time, there’s no place for sentiment in football.’