Don Cowie bemoans free kick decision but says Ross County can be proud of performance in Dingwall against defending champions Celtic
Ross County manager Don Cowie hailed the effort of his players in a losing effort against defending Premiership champions Celtic.
The Staggies had taken the lead thanks to a penalty from Ronan Hale, which was first awarded through VAR Nick Walsh who spotted a handball from Liam Scales, before being ordered to be retaken by Walsh when Kasper Schmeichel had moved off his line before saving the initial attempt.
County would put in a backs to the wall performance in the second half to try and keep Celtic at bay and hold on to their advantage.
However, the pressure would eventually tell in the final 20 minutes, when first Alasdair Johnston was on hand to deflect a stramash at a corner kick into the net before Nicolas Kuhn clinically scored a winning goal in the 88th minute.
Cowie could not fault the effort his players put into the game, but was frustrated about a free kick given in the build up to Celtic’s winning goal, commenting: “It was disappointing for the players with the effort they have put in again
“They kept a top quality side relatively quiet in terms of scoring opportunities, and we said beforehand it was about being compact and our concentration levels which I saw in abundance in the group.
“The equaliser was a bit fortunate, and then they score a goal from a foul that I didn’t think was a foul.
“At that stage, we were a little bit out of shape, and then a good team punishes you which is what happened.
“At the time I didn’t think it was a free kick, and I’ve seen it again and it’s not.
“We can still react and prevent the goal, but it’s disappointing that the goal goes against us.
“I asked the referee about it and got no response. He’s got his opinion, and I’ve got mine.”
Despite his frustrations over how the winning goal came about, Cowie believes County will be able to take plenty from the performance, adding: “It’s my job to remind the group of that. Naturally they’re really disappointed to get nothing from the game, but when we reflect and speak about it they will realise how good they were as a group.
“They defended for each other, which you have to do against a top quality team.
“That will give us great belief going into this next group of games that we’ve got.
“We could go gung ho and try and attack Celtic, and that’s how the winning goal comes.
“For us it was about creating a gameplan to be tight, and to try and frustrate them, and I thought we did that really well.
“I’m just disappointed for the boys that they’ve got nothing to show for it in the end.”
