Ross County manager Don Cowie insists play-off battle is down to months of poor results after final-day draw with Motherwell set up ties with Livingston
Ross County manager Don Cowie admits months of poor results have led to the Staggies facing a third consecutive relegation play-off.
There was hope for County in the first half against Motherwell in Dingwall, with the Highlanders looking dangerous and going ahead through Ronan Hale.
However, Motherwell fought back well to equalise late on, and could have even scored a winner before the final whistle was blown.
In any case, the result in Dingwall did not matter, as Dundee secured a 2-0 win at St Johnstone which would have put them out of County’s reach regardless.
“We find ourselves in the play-offs not because of today,” Cowie stressed.
“It was on the previous two months of results that haven’t been good enough.
“The disappointing thing from today was that I thought the first half was as good as we’ve been. We were good on Wednesday night, but today was the next level.
“We got the goal we deserved through Ronan, which was a real positive, but in the second half we didn’t do enough to win the game of football and we were probably a bit fortunate to come away with a draw in the end.
“The first halves are a reflection of what we’re capable of when we’re connected as a team and play together.
“We need to put more demands on ourselves to do it over 90 minutes, and we need more impact from players coming off the bench.
“As you see, the squad is really thin with some academy players, and that’s where we are, so we need to all be together to get ready for Thursday.”
County now face the prospect of a Livingston side who pushed Falkirk all the way for the Championship title, only just falling short on goal difference on the final day.
They are familiar foes, battling in the top flight over recent years and again in the Scottish Cup this season – a tie which Livi won after extra time.
“They are a good team, and they will have a confidence about them,” Cowie added.
“They are in good form, and have won lots of games of football, but I’ve just said to the group that this time last year against a really good Raith Rovers team we got our mindset right.
“We knew what was coming, and we were ready to face it, and we need to do the same again this week.”
