Interim manager Don Cowie hopes senior players’ experience will tell as Ross County prepare for Kilmarnock in Premiership survival battle
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Don Cowie believes Ross County’s senior players have a vital role to play between now and the end of the 2023/24 season.
The Staggies have two more matches before the split, which will prove to be make or break for the club’s chances of securing top flight football for another year.
Over the last month or so, the likes of Jack Baldwin and Connor Randall – established members of the squad’s leadership group – have returned from injury.
With those players having been in relegation battles in the past, most memorably last season’s dramatic play-off escape against Partick Thistle, Cowie feels their experience could prove pivotal this time around.
“These players are vital,” County’s interim manager said.
“Jack has come back, the performances have been really good as a team – and he’s the leader.
“Connor is another leader of the group, and you need your experienced players to help the younger ones from what they have experienced in the past.
“It’s not a scenario you want to be in, but they have got to use that as an advantage.
“It was really close last year, in terms of us losing our Premiership status, but they can help that younger group, and the loan players.
“Some of them may not have played in a scenario where the league splits into two, and the last five games become really important games.
“The experienced players we have got are vital for this football club.”
Another of County’s senior players, Ross Laidlaw, is due to return to the matchday squad this weekend after missing last week’s trip to Aberdeen through illness.
Eli King will also be available again after missing the last few weeks through injury, with no new knocks sustained at Pittodrie.
Cowie will need all the options at his disposal that he can get as Killie are in contention for European football.
Derek McInnes’ side sit fourth in the table, with only Rangers, Hearts and Ross County having beaten them at Rugby Park this season.
“They really test you,” Cowie admitted.
“They have good players in the wide areas, such as Matty Kennedy and Danny Armstrong, who service the box really well.
“They don’t complicate it when they don’t need to and they have two forwards who have been a really handful, in Marley Watkins and Kyle Vassell.
“The fact they have signed Kevin Van Veen and he’s not managed to disturb that shows how well they have done as a pair.
“They are a real threat from set-plays, as they have some big defenders who can attack the ball really well.
“You know you are in for a game. It doesn’t take away from the fact they have got some really good footballers who can mix it up.
“They have a really good balance, and you have to be prepared to face all those facets of their game.”
Different options will also prove useful for Ross County before the end of the season.
Under Cowie, 18 different players have started matches, with George Wickens, Michee Efete, Ryan Leak, Josh Reid and Victor Loturi starting every game.
With those players seemingly having the trust of their manager, others in those areas have not had as many opportunities to show what they can do – or simply maintain match sharpness.
From day one, County’s interim manager has emphasised the need for everyone to be pulling in the same direction, and he believes those who have started as substitutes more often than not understand that it will take a collective effort to stay in the Premiership.
“That’s part of being a squad player,” he reasoned.
“I said from day one this is about the group. Nothing is done for anyone individually or personally, it’s about us collectively getting results.
“In every game you focus on what we can do to hurt the opposition, and how we can negate their strengths.
“Certain personnel might suit different games, and it’s just a case of adapting and seeing what the best 11 is for that game.
“We train really well. Everyone is involved, and has an awareness of what we are trying to do tactically if they are playing in those positions come a Saturday.
“It’s about the group – it's never about the individual so everyone feels part of what we are trying to achieve.”
