Dutch of class sets Staggies up for Old Firm
Michael Gardyne believes Ross County’s gruelling work-out against Groningen was perfect preparation for an imminent reunion with the Old Firm. With the Highlanders heading back to the Premiership next month, Friday night’s opening Dutch tour friendly pitted them against last season’s eighthtop Eredivisie outfit.
Groningen oozed quality on the ball and picked off County with a goal in each half to win 2-0.
But the Dingwall side impressed in spells, particularly in the second period.
Gardyne, relishing the club’s topflight return after one season exiled in the Championship, felt the fixture set County up perfectly for matches against Celtic and Rangers.
The 33-year-old said: “It was a good exercise. They’re obviously a fantastic outfit who move the ball really well.
“But it was good for us at this stage in pre-season for fitness, with boys getting 75, 80 or 90 minutes.
“It is all about getting to know each other, communication, where to move.
“This season teams like Celtic and Rangers will play like Groningen did and retain the ball for long spells. “They looked to move the ball and switch it very quickly – and they’re good at it.
“I thought we handled it well.
The Staggies’ co-managerial team of Stuart Kettlewell and Steven Ferguson have been determined to retain the bulk of last season’s Championshipwinning squad, rather than rip it up and start again.
The belief is that last season’s spirit and togetherness can offer the Highlanders a head start back in among the big boys.
But they have added attacking midfielder Blair Spittal from Partick Thistle, playmaker Joe Chalmers from Inverness and two goalkeepers in ex-hibs man Ross Laidlaw and Chelsea loanee Nathan Baxter.
The arrival of Republic of Ireland under-21 international winger Simon Power on a season-long loan from Norwich City has also caused a stir. Power has been on the radar of clubs such as Borussia Dortmund, Lyon and Ajax after sparkling performances in the Republic’s run to the semi-finals of last month’s Toulon tournament.
But the 21-year-old could be denied a bow in Holland while County await international clearance involving Norwich and his past Dutch loan club Dordrecht.
Fellow winger Gardyne, though, is excited by the Irish addition’s attributes.
He said:“he looks very fast. There’s a lot of competition in the wide areas now, but that’s something we welcome.”