Ross County interim manager Don Cowie hoping for off day from former teammate and Kilmarnock star Daniel Armstrong at Rugby Park
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Ross County interim manager Don Cowie was full of praise for what former teammate Daniel Armstrong has accomplished since leaving Dingwall – but he hopes the Kilmarnock winger has an off day this weekend.
It is nearly six years since Stuart Kettlewell and Steven Ferguson brought Armstrong to Dingwall from a then third-tier Raith Rovers.
The 26-year-old only made eight appearances across all competitions for the Staggies during the 2018/19 season, but found his feet first back at Raith and then with Kilmarnock after moving on.
Since then he has become a key part of Derek McInnes’ squad, sitting second in the Premiership assist chart this season with 10 as well as scoring six times himself.
While memories of Armstrong on the pitch in the dark blue of County may be few and far between, Cowie remembers Armstrong as an important character in the dressing room during a season the Staggies won a double – including sealing promotion back into the Premiership at the first time of action.
The interim boss, then, is looking forward to reacquainting with his ex-teammate, even if he hopes it is a bad day at the office for Armstrong on Saturday.
“Danny was probably a little bit unfortunate at Ross County,” Cowie recalled.
“At the time we had a really experienced group in the Championship, and he didn’t get the opportunities he probably felt he deserved.
“What I would say is he was an incredible character for the dressing room at that time. He helped us to achieve what we did, in getting promoted, and he was a big part in that.
“What he has done since then has been incredible. Even with Kilmarnock in the Championship he didn’t really play, it’s only really in the last two years since they have been in the Premiership.
“The consistency he has shown has been frightening. The end product, whether it’s scoring, assisting or creating opportunities. He’s a real threat, and one we need to keep an eye on going into the weekend.
“It makes you feel old going up against former teammates as a manager!
“It’s a different dynamic. When you see an ex teammate doing so well it’s great to see, but obviously this weekend I hope he has an absolute nightmare if he’s playing.
“Those relationships you create as a team-mate obviously become different when you become a manager, but you still respect the player and want them to do very well – except for when they play against you.”
Armstrong may not be the only familiar face in the Kilmarnock squad that Cowie goes up against this weekend.
Gary Mackay-Steven was a young talent in the set-up in Dingwall when Cowie was in his first spell as a player at the club, and has likewise gone on to achieve plenty in the game.
Earning a move to first Liverpool and then Fulham’s academy after catching the eye with County, Mackay-Steven would go on to win the Premiership three times with Celtic and represent Scotland.
“I know Gary well, we nicknamed him Messi at the time because he was this naturally small, left-footed, very technical, great dribbler of the ball,” Cowie added.
“I was here in his early stages, and he is someone I always make a point of speaking to when I come up against him.
“He has done brilliantly. He got the move very early from here to Liverpool, and he responded really well after the challenges he had with injuries there.
“He dropped back to Airdrie, and then kicked on again to get his move to Dundee United. Then he went on to Celtic and did ever so well to win trophies and win Scotland caps on top of that.
“He has had an excellent career. He has been blighted a little bit in the last few years with injuries, but it’s good to see he’s back involved at Kilmarnock again.”
