Sky's the limit for County boss Adams, says Cooper
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HE WAS a trusted lieutenant to Sir Alex Ferguson in his Aberdeen days, tasting European and domestic glory as a player.
The oft-repeated rumour is that Neale Cooper is now trusty sidekick to a future Pittodrie manager.
The Ross County assistant boss would never presume to know where Derek Adams’ career might end up, but believes the sky is the limit.
After just under three months back, working under his 37-year-old former player has been enlightening.
The pedigree is strong. Adams has already won Second and First Division titles and taken County to a remarkable Scottish Cup final appearance.
Now, amid a run of five wins and two draws, County have created realistic aspirations of top six – or better – finish in their maiden SPL season.
To put it all in perspective, beating the split would be a feat achieved with the SPL’s lowest budget and population-base.
It is also something that neighbours Caley Thistle have failed to do in seven top flight attempts.
Cooper, who led County through three divisions as manager from 1996 to 2002, is perhaps well-qualified to gauge managerial ability.
After all, he played for arguably the best the game has known.
Cooper said: “I see Derek very much as a rising star in management, not just for this season but for all he has achieved at the club.
“It’s nice, because I brought Derek to Ross County originally as a player and now I see how he has turned into a very mature and accomplished individual.
“He must be up there among the hottest young talents in management, and rightly so. To have taken Ross County to a Scottish Cup final? That’s bonkers.
“And the run they had in the First Division last year? He gets the right boys in and he gets the very best out of them.
“He knows a player when he sees one and we have a great bunch of characters at this club.
“His preparation, too, is just exemplary. Here at Ross County, the lads know everything about every team we play – set plays, the lot.
“His scouting system and attention to detail is quite phenomenal, but not over-forensic. It can hard to get the balance right when you talk to players on a match-day but, with Derek, it is not too heavy-duty.
“What he puts over is to the point and exactly what is needed.”
The clarity of delivery is an area where Cooper, perhaps inadvertently, sets Adams above even the great Sir Alex.
He said: “You can over-do it when you’re passing on information to the players. I know what players are like.
“In my playing days, I used to try and remember what ‘Fergie’ had been saying in his talks – and I rarely could.
“Someone would ask me what he had just said and I would tell them I wasn’t sure – something with the F-word in it!
“With Derek, it is clear and straight to the point but there will also be a detailed dossier up on the board about the team we are facing.
“It’s up to the boys themselves, but they do like to read it and find out all about who they are marking or whatever.
“It’s precise and clear and if you go to that kind of effort, I always think players appreciate it.
“They like to know that a manager has everything planned and ready to go and that brings that little bit extra out of them in effort.”
With Craig Brown’s future at Aberdeen shrouded in uncertainty, Adams has inevitably been touted as a potential successor.
He would be a big loss to County, but Cooper is convinced the manager will only leave when the time is right.
Having managed in England himself, Cooper also feels Adams might be an attractive target for a good job south of the border.
He said: “The Aberdeen rumours have been going on for ages, but I also feel Derek would be very well-suited for English football.
“I’m not trying to get rid of him, far from it, but I think he would great down there. It wouldn’t surprise me if English teams were taking notice.
“With what Derek has achieved here, his stock is very high at the moment and quite rightly so. But, at the moment, he is 100 per cent focused here and that’s the kind of person he is.
“It’s a pleasure to be here with him and to work with the boys. Every day, I just love coming in. They are a wonderful group. That says a lot for Derek’s eye for a player and also the type of characters he brings to the club.”
Cooper’s own career hit the doldrums at Hartlepool where problems at the club far beyond his control made a misery of his second spell in charge.
He is just glad to step back from the frontline pressure and has no thoughts whatsoever of a return to the main limelight.
Cooper said: “I love the role. I like being close to the players and right now full management is farthest from my mind.
“We work really hard but we also have a really good laugh. I think that’s important and that’s my kind of character.
“It is so enjoyable working with the manager and Steven Ferguson – we all have something different about us that we can bring to the table.
“Where I’ve maybe helped is having that little bit of experience.
“I really enjoy it if he comes to me asking for something or vice-versa. Opinions are important.
“I like to be with the players on the park and when I’m out on the park I can have wee chats with them about.
“Hopefully, I can take a bit of the pressure off the manager. I like that closeness to the players and I can talk about certain things in football I’ve done.
“I don’t have to pick the team and when players are left out and aren’t happy, I can speak to them and say they can do better here or here.”
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