Don Cowie returns to Ibrox for first time since debut match as Ross County manager with Staggies set to visit Rangers in Scottish Premiership
This weekend’s trip to Rangers will be something of a full circle moment for Ross County manager Don Cowie.
It is only slightly less than 12 months ago that the homegrown talent took charge of the Staggies for the first time as manager, taking his side to Ibrox.
This Saturday will be the first time Cowie and County return to the stadium since then, with their away match against Rangers earlier this season taking place at Hampden Park.
Throughout the last year there have been many highs and lows – not in the least a first ever win over Rangers a couple of months into his reign in Dingwall – but it is an appropriate moment to reflect on how the 10-cap Scotland international has developed as a manager.
“You are always learning – and the year has been a big learning curve for me, in all aspects,” Cowie reasoned.
“When you are the first team coach or assistant manager, you are protected from a lot of what is actually going into running a football club.
“Your focus is on designing, taking sessions and getting the team ready for the Saturday, whereas the last year has been about adapting and getting used to off-field situations.
“In terms of actually being a manager, it’s everything I thought it would be. There are highs and lows – I have to deal with things in games, and issues that arise.
“It’s just about always being able to adapt to that. I wouldn’t change it for the world, I have loved every minute of it.
“I think I’m a pretty calm person, so I manage to deal with the highs and lows pretty well.
“At the same time, you are the person leading the team. That’s why I always talk about never getting too high or too low, because I’m the one everyone looks to, to see what frame of mind I’m in.
“If I keep that as consistent as I can, that is then a good reflection for the players.”
One of the things Cowie has had to get used to over the last 12 months is selection dilemmas, and he could be facing another one in the near future.
Ross Laidlaw returned to the matchday squad for County’s match against Hibernian last weekend, being named on the substitutes’ bench as he stepped up his return from injury.
With Jordan Amissah generally impressing since being signed as a free agent in December, though, the former undisputed number one may have a battle on his hands to reclaim his starting spot.
“It was a wee bit rushed for him on Saturday, which is credit to Ross,” Cowie explained.
“Jack (Hamilton) had a knock during the week, he got a bang to the throat area which meant he was struggling.
“It was one of those where I had to ask Ross if he was comfortable being on the bench, and he immediately said yes, which gives you confidence.
“He is still working his way back. He has been in full training with the group for a week and a half now, so he’s getting there and he’s definitely back sooner than we thought which is a real positive.
“Competition is what you want, it’s no different to anywhere else on the pitch.
“Especially with our goalkeepers, Jordan is still relatively inexperienced in terms of first team football. He has acquitted himself really well, but it’s also good to know that when Ross is fit we have a really experienced goalkeeper as well.
“Then it will be up to Ross to push Jordan aside.”
Elsewhere on the pitch, County are not lacking competition for places.
Four new signings this month have been supplemented by the recalls of three teenagers from loan spells, who all featured against Hibs last Saturday.
Cowie hopes that may spark some more senior members of his squad into action as they realise they are at risk of losing their spots in the side.
“I’m sure there will be individuals who were frustrated with that, but for me it’s a reflection of what I’m seeing every day,” Cowie added.
“They are at that stage where they are competing to not just be part of the squad, but to play.
“That’s credit to the younger players, but it’s also up to the senior players to rise to the challenge of competing against them.
“For the last five months they have been training with us, and we have seen what they could do, but I’m sure the senior boys didn’t see them as challenging for the jersey. Now that’s a reality.”
