Ross County manager Don Cowie backs Josh Reid to take starting chance against Kilmarnock in Dingwall with Eli Campbell and George Harmon both unavailable
Don Cowie had backed Josh Reid to take the opportunity presented to him due to injuries and suspensions elsewhere in the Ross County squad.
Reid has been starved of game time in the Premiership so far this season, playing just 55 league minutes in the 2024/25 campaign to date.
However, with George Harmon out injured and Eli Campbell suspended for this weekend’s match against Kilmarnock after receiving two yellow cards last time out at St Johnstone, Reid is set to start in Dingwall on Saturday.
Having spent time on the treatment table himself this season, there could be question marks over how ready Reid is to play 90 minutes at the weekend.
Cowie, though, has backed the Staggies academy product to take the opportunity that will be presented to him.
“Josh has been back training for probably three or four weeks,” Cowie explained.
“Maybe last Saturday he was a little bit undercooked in terms of not having had first team football for quite a while since his initial injury, but it is a real opportunity for him.
“He’s had to be patient at times when George was playing and it just happened that when George got injured so did he.
“It meant playing Eli slightly out of position and he has done really well, despite the sending off at the weekend, but now it is a real opportunity for Josh to grab that chance.”
While Reid will come into the line-up for the match against Kilmarnock, Cowie will be without Campbell and Charlie Telfer after both men were sent off in Perth last weekend.
Ricki Lamie will come back into contention after being out injured since the League Cup group stage, and it remains to be seen whether Cowie will make other changes.
Last time out, Scott Allardice and Eamonn Brophy returned to the starting 11, but the latter was replaced at half time as Cowie made tactical tweaks to account for the numbers disadvantage.
“Going into Saturday, I thought we were in a great place,” Cowie reasoned.
“Everyone was chomping at the bit, and the standard in training was excellent. It just shows that it doesn’t count for everything come Saturday. It is then about making sure you’re ready and prepared for when the whistle goes at 3pm.
"At half time, we were losing 2-0 and down to 10 men. We needed to show discipline and stay in the game.
"We needed to keep it at 2-0 for as long as possible and maybe in those last 15 minutes have a go to try and get a goal to get us back in the game.
"When we went down to nine men, it made if almost impossible.
"I was disappointed for Eamonn. It was a poor team performance, but it wasn't anything relating to Eamonn being in the team. Now it is about him putting that behind him and getting ready for this week.”
