Ross Laidlaw hopes to deliver for Ross County in relegation fight after ‘mind-boggling’ spell out of the Staggies side
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Ross Laidlaw has admitted he did not see his spell out of the Ross County starting 11 coming.
The goalkeeper had been one of the Staggies’ star performers through the first half of the campaign, prompting some of the club’s supporters to call for him to be included in Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad.
However, former County boss Derek Adams brought in George Wickens on loan from Fulham in January, and quickly replaced Laidlaw in goal.
Such was his absence from the side, that before the win over Rangers last time out, Laidlaw’s last appearance had been the defeat to Aberdeen on January 2.
In many ways, spells in and out of the side have epitomised Laidlaw’s time in Dingwall, but he says this time was different due to the strong form he felt he was in when dropped.
“It’s been a frustrating few months,” he admitted.
“Derek never spoke to me about it so I didn’t know why I got taken out. It was bizarre. He brought his own players in, and I understand that, but I thought I was performing well at the time.
“That’s the thing that was surprising to me, the goalkeeping coach, and everyone who was taken aback. Derek came in and did his own thing, and I don’t think anyone saw it coming.
“It was mind-boggling to be honest when I came out of the team, but it’s one of these things that happens in football.
“Sometimes managers want to bring their own players in, and I think that was the case. He obviously didn’t rate the squad that was here, so he wanted to get us out and get as many of his own players in, and that’s what happened.
“Sometimes you come out, and you’re not playing well or you’ve made a mistake so you get a sense that it’s coming, but this was probably the first time since I’ve been here that I was on a really good run of form.
“Under Derek we had three clean sheets in seven games, so I never saw it coming.
“It was strange. Obviously you want to play every week as a goalkeeper, and I think that what I’ve done for the club since I’ve been here earned me the chance to play those games, but I was taken out.
“It was a frustrating time, but I’m glad I’m back in now to show what I can do.”
Such was his frustration at the situation, Laidlaw began to question whether his future truly did lie with County towards the end of the transfer window.
He stuck around, and when Don Cowie took over as interim manager things were smoothed over quickly.
Then it became a case of the form of Wickens, and a combination of injuries and illness, that forced Laidlaw to be patient for his opportunity.
Eventually, that came against Rangers, and the 31-year-old hopes to show why he should never have lost his place over the course of the run-in to help the Staggies remain in the Premiership for another season.
“I did question what was going on, and I didn’t really get any answers from the manager,” Laidlaw recalled.
“It was a frustrating time, and the club wouldn’t let me leave in January if I did try to go. It was strange, but I just had to keep my head down and work hard, and hopefully I would get a chance.
“George has done really well himself to be fair. He has had some really good performances, and I think he will have a really good career. He’s a top young goalkeeper, and his attitude has been brilliant since he came in.
“He’s been playing well, and you understand as a goalkeeper that only one can play, so I had to wait for my chance and I’ve managed to get it now. Sometimes you don’t get back in, but I’m grateful that the manager has shown trust in me now to put me back in.
“I’ve known the gaffer for a long time, I played with him and obviously he was a coach and assistant manager here before becoming the manager. That helps, because he understands what I can bring to the team.
“As soon as he got the job, he spoke to me and explained the circumstances.He told me he likes me, so I knew deep down that I had a future with him as manager, I just had to bide my time.
“Before Rangers the manager spoke to me and said he was bringing me back in, because he wanted an experienced player in my position until the end of the season.
“That game was a bit of a free hit for me, but we obviously managed to get the result, so I just want to stay fit and keep playing to help the team out between now and the end of the season.”
