Ross County interim manager Don Cowie says players sensed victory was within reach in historic result over Glasgow giants Rangers
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Ross County interim manager Don Cowie was delighted to secure the club’s first ever victory over Rangers.
Goals from Simon Murray, George Harmon and Josh Sims helped the Staggies to a 3-2 win over the Glasgow giants, which was crucial for County’s own battle to avoid a relegation play-off in the Premiership.
Harmon had also missed two big chances in the first half, which meant that although County went into half time behind on the scoreboard, Cowie was able to relay a message of confidence that they would be able to turn things around.
“It’s a big win,” Cowie said.
“I’ve said before that we had six games remaining, and each one was equally important.
“We were playing against a really good team, but we had belief going into the game because our home form has been really good.
“Collectively, I thought it was an excellent team performance.
“I think we took real belief from what was happening on the pitch. Even though we conceded a goal, we created some really good chances.
“As a player, you sense what is happening, and the message at half time was that we had done really well.
“It was really just about recognising what we had done in the first half, and not trying to deviate too far from that.
“We had to be positive. You don’t think you’re going to score two goals straight away, but the way we attacked at the start of the second half allowed us to build on that for the rest of the game, so it was massive.
“At the end it got a bit nervy, but I saw a group of players putting their bodies on the line to make sure we got three points.”
Cowie notably restored goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw to the starting 11 for his first start since the start of January.
He was needed to make a number of important saves to keep Rangers at bay, and Cowie was happy with how the shot-stopper performed.
“I’ve got two very good goalkeepers,” Cowie added.
“George has come in and done well, and Ross has had a stop-start period between illness and injury.
“I thought it was his time to come back in, and he didn’t let us down today for sure.
“He did his job very well. He’s had to be patient, and I know what he’s capable having played and worked alongside him for the best part of four years.
“I felt it was right to put him back in, and he did a good job.”
