Ross County manager Don Cowie anticipating another exciting clash as Staggies travel to Edinburgh to take on former club Hearts
Ross County manager Don Cowie believes the Staggies and Hearts are well-suited to providing exciting football matches.
In each of the two meetings between the sides so far this season, the home side has fought back from behind to score dramatic late equalisers and salvage a point.
Similarly, the single match at Tynecastle last season saw a comeback from two goals down as that match also ended in a draw.
A former Hearts player himself, Cowie thinks that the way both teams play mean the fixture is pre-disposed to being an entertaining watch.
"Since I've been a coach or manager at Ross County, we've always had open games against Hearts,” Cowie recalled.
"They play on the front foot and with intent, and that's maybe a big factor in why the games have been so tight.
"There have been games when they have been well on top in the first game this season and even in Dingwall when they were 2-0 up, they probably should have put the game to bed. It shows the importance of staying in the game.
“Sometimes you just get teams that, when you come up against them, it makes for an exciting match.
“They are a team that wants to score goals, and you’ve got to understand that first and foremost you’ll have to defend well. Then it’s about building from that and trying to hit them on the transition.
“That’s probably the reason why those games have been so close. Sometimes if Hearts had been more clinical, they could have been out of sight – like the 6-1 game down there.
“That’s what they are capable of, and that’s why we will need to be at our very best to get a result.”
Adding to the challenge facing Ross County this weekend will be a Tynecastle atmosphere that is regularly cited as one of the best in Scotland.
Cowie, then, will be hoping his charges can turn the crowd against Hearts to help his side over pick up three points.
"People speak about Tynecastle being one of the best venues in Scottish football,” Cowie reasoned.
“It's one you have to embrace and look forward to. As a (Hearts) player, playing against the Old Firm or a derby against Hibs, I don't think anywhere can replicate it in Scottish football. It is so unique, with the pitch close to the stands, which are right on top of you.
"It makes for a great atmosphere, but we also know it will be a real challenge. When Hearts have the momentum with their fans right behind them, it is a tough place to go.
“When you go to a lot of the big clubs, it’s so important to try and keep the noise to a minimum and start the game well.
“You can’t give the home fans any invitation to get behind their team, and I think we did that really well the first time we were at Tynecastle this season.
“When you then get the first goal, it causes anxiety because of the demand there, and they expect to be challenging at the top end of the table.
“That’s something we have to turn into an advantage for us, but we then have to carry out the action to make that happen.”
