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Ross County youngsters George Robesten, Andrew MacLeod and Dylan Smith proved why manager Don Cowie is happy to put faith in academy products with Hibernian display





Ross County manager Don Cowie believes the club’s much hyped teenagers showed why he has so much confidence in them against Hibernian.

George Robesten was given his first league start for the club, while Andrew MacLeod and Dylan Smith were brought on as substitutes after all three were recalled from their respective loan deals.

Don Cowie trusted George Robesten to play a role form the start against Hibernian. Picture: Ken Macpherson
Don Cowie trusted George Robesten to play a role form the start against Hibernian. Picture: Ken Macpherson

Robesten and MacLeod played a pivotal role in the Staggies equaliser in the 1-1 draw too, combining to send the cross in that Kieran Phillips won a penalty from.

Ronan Hale would step up to convert in the 86th minute, but one of the major positives coming out of the match will be the influence of all three youngsters.

“I believe they are ready to be a part of our group, that’s why they’re here and that’s why certain players have left the club,” Cowie explained.

“It’s a great reflection of our academy to have three players on against one of the biggest teams in this country.

“It’s important that we get our own players coming through, and they are three of a number we have high hopes for.

“They had a big impact on us getting a point from the game. They will take big belief from that. I showed belief in them to put Andrew and Dylan on, and starting George.

“We were playing against a very good team and I didn’t hesitate to put them on the pitch, and that’s because of what I see every day from them,

“It’s now up to them to keep working hard to keep progressing.”

Another of the positives will be that another late goal went County’s way to salvage a result.

It is far from the first time this season that the Staggies have scored late on to change the complexion of the tie, and Cowie says that is a message he will continue to send to his players.

“You’re always happy to get a point when you’re trailing with five minutes to go,” he reasoned.

“It stresses the importance of the message that the game can change at any moment.

“At certain stages this season we’ve let ourselves down by allowing games to get away from us. It would have been easy to go gung ho in the second half and allow a very good Hibs team to exploit us, but we made sure that wasn’t the case.”


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