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Press and Journal
4 days ago
- Sport
- Press and Journal
ANALYSIS: Ross County cannot afford to dwell on relegation - as efforts must quickly turn to Championship push
Ross County must today begin plotting out their plans for life in the Championship after their relegation was confirmed in Monday's play-off tie against Livingston. The soul-searching will have long begun, as the Staggies reflect on a miserable finish to the season which saw them fail to win any of their final 11 matches. That lack of momentum brought a crushing sense of inevitability that this was going to be one play-off too many for the Dingwall side to overcome. County have never truly been able to capitalise on the bounce from previous play-off triumphs against Partick Thistle and Raith Rovers, in their efforts to push up the table. A third successive 11th placed finish left them increasingly vulnerable to the fate that ultimately befell them in their two-legged tie against Livi. Livingston celebrate Robbie Muirhead's goal against Ross County. Image: SNS Don Cowie held his hands up for the drop in form which resulted in their demise, since their last victory at home to Kilmarnock on March 1. At that point County sat handsomely in eighth position – two points adrift of the top-six – and seven points clear of the relegation play-off spot. Cowie up for challenge of getting County back to Premiership Cowie hinted in the moments that immediately followed County's relegation that discussions would be had about the way forward for him and his boyhood club – who he has served for a combined 16 years as a player, coach and now manager. Ross County manager Don Cowie following the play-off defeat to Livingston. Image: SNS He also underlined his unwavering belief that he remains the man to navigate the Staggies back to the Premiership. At the point of writing, Cowie remains the only club representative to have publicly fronted up County's relegation – with no players willing to make themselves available for press duties after Monday night's defeat. As yet, there has been no clarification on the future of Cowie, who took charge of the Staggies in February 2024 following Derek Adams' short stint in charge. It remains to be seen how Staggies chairman Roy MacGregor will have viewed the slump in form, but also the task that lies ahead of the club in the coming months. Ross County chairman Roy MacGregor. Image: SNS County have enjoyed a tremendous top-flight journey – where they have remained for 12 of the last 13 years since first winning promotion in 2012. During that same time period, Rangers, Hearts, Hibernian, Dundee United, Dundee and St Mirren have spent longer outwith the Premiership than the Staggies. Difficult task awaits in Championship The reality is that is now in the past – and they must now focus their efforts on how to navigate what is a notoriously competitive second-tier. Their last experience of the Championship proved to be a highly successful one, as they bounced back at the first attempt following their relegation in 2018. That should offer no guarantee it will be plain-sailing this time around, given a number of other clubs will have eyes on promotion. County are joined by St Johnstone in making the drop from the top flight, after the Perth side suffered automatic relegation. Simo Valakari has already benefitted from an extra 10 days to prepare for next season compared to the Staggies – who must now resolve the future of a number of out of contract players. St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari. Image: SNS Partick Thistle, Ayr United and Raith Rovers will look to build on promising campaigns, while Dunfermline will look to make a push under fresh ownership. While lessons must be learned from what contributed to County's demise, they cannot afford to spend too long dwelling on it – given the need to get off to a strong start next season.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
County 'fell short' and will suffer 'financial hit'
Chief executive Steven Ferguson admits Ross County "fell short" this season and concedes the Highland club will take a "financial hit" as a finished the season with a dismal run of 11 matches without a win, culminating in a dramatic play-off decider where a rampant Livingston side came back to win 5-3 on aggregate and snatch the final Premiership slot from their is a result which ends the Dingwall side's six-year stay in Scotland's top flight."There's no excuses from anybody at Ross County – we fell short," said Ferguson."But it's a collective we. It doesn't just fall on the manager, it doesn't just fall on the players, we need to look at the whole club and everybody that's involved and we need to take responsibility for it and we will do that." Ferguson insists "it's very early" when asked about manager Don Cowie's future, but that he "is in all the discussions we're having just now"."First and foremost we'll need to look at the playing squad and guys that are out of contract will need to be spoken to so they know exactly where they stand," he March, County were one of several contenders vying for a final top-six berth, a battle that quickly turned into a slide towards the Championship."We have underachieved this season and that's not something that happens too often," Ferguson said. "In my time at Ross County we've always managed to get to where we want to be."We'll look at it, honestly appraise it, see how we can pick the bones out of it and move forward." 'There needs to be smart investment' As jubilant Livingston supporters engulfed the Dingwall pitch, there was no hiding the sorrow on the faces of their dejected hosts. The hurt was visible on local boy Cowie's face as he watched the elated visitors celebrate on their turf, a pain according to Ferguson that will be felt throughout the club and wider community."We aren't a big staff up here," he said. "Everybody feels it and it has a ripple effect."What we need to realise as well is that it's not just on the pitch."To not have any representation for this area has a real knock-on effect for everybody, not just the supporters, but the local business and the revenue that comes into the Highlands because of Premiership football."And like most clubs who suffer demotion, Ferguson said County will pay the price, although he hinted chairman Roy MacGregor will provide funds in an attempt to bounce straight back up."There will be a financial hit, you can't hide the financial hit from dropping out of the Premiership," he said, explaining they will look to minimise the "pain regarding people's livelihoods"."To be successful in the Championship there needs to be investment. You also need to be really smart about how you go about your business as it's an extremely difficult league with clubs that deserve a lot of respect, big fan bases and city clubs in there as well."Ferguson has been here before, of course. He was part of the management duo that achieved that very task in 2019, when he and Stuart Kettlewell navigated County back to the Premiership in one season. Something they are obviously hoping to replicate again."That goes without saying," he said. "The clubs in the Championship are big clubs and they are clubs with ambition and we'll need to match and better that if we want to be successful. That's something we'll need to work out how we do."At the moment it's obviously really raw, Monday's result, and we'll need to let the dust settle. "We need to be really honest about what happened this season and we need to find a solution and find how we can do it better." 'No less than abysmal County deserved' - fan reaction to relegation Stephen: Got what we deserved and saw it coming weeks Abysmal form, overreliance on loan players. Aside from Josh Nisbet, Ronan Hale and Jordan White there was a lack of fight across the team in our most important game of the season. We deserved to be relegated unfortunately. Sadly we'll need to cash in on Hale as well. If Don Cowie goes, hard to see who would want the No less than we deserve. Our defence is shocking. It's the fact we were 2-0 up which makes it painful. It's a loss for Highland football in Being 2-0 up before half an hour, then losing 4-2 at home tells you all you need to know about County. We've been circling the drain for months. Dozens of 'must-win' games prior to this loss. Nothing more than we Hope County do not follow in footsteps of ICT. Looks like they will have to improve drastically to bounce back up but a harder league to do that. Don Cowie is just too nice, they need a manager who says what it For the best part of three months, we have been rancid. Three relegation play-offs in a row suggests there's something broken in the football side of things. This has to be the worst one yet, given we were in the hunt for the top six until the final game before the split. Hale aside, we have been so, so poor from back to front and it's finally caught up with I thoroughly disagree with Don Cowie. He most definitely is not the right man for the job. I do not have any belief in him as manager at all and it appears neither do the players. He must surely be sacked now after this. He should have gone weeks ago. There is no place for schoolboy kick and rush football at this level. Livingston, well done. You thoroughly deserve to be promoted. County could not lay a glove on you.
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Weapon-wielding football fans brawl in street ahead of Ross County v Livingston showdown
Football supporters were involved in a massive brawl before Livingston and Ross County's Playoff Final second-leg. Shocking footage has emerged of a violent brawl between weapon-wielding supporters ahead of the Ross County and Livingston play-off final last night. The melee unfolded on Station Road before David Martindale's side defeated Don Cowie's men in the Scottish Premiership Playoff second-leg in Dingwall. In videos shared on social media, hooded yobs are seen battering rival fans with large poles, as fists fly among the mob. One youngster in dark clothing is then seen sucker punching another boy from behind. Last night's game ended 4-2 to the Championship side after coming from two goals down to return to the Premiership after one season down - winning 5-3 on aggregate. The Daily Record has contacted Police Scotland for comment. This comes following unsavoury scenes in the first-leg between the two sides as County manager Don Cowie claimed a Livingston fan spat at his Assistant Manager Carl Tremarco after his side equalised in the last minute to make it 1-1. Speaking after the game, Cowie said: "One of the Livingston fans overstepped the mark by spitting in one of our members of staff's face. "Livingston were straight on the case. They understand what happened and there's CCTV here so they're pretty clear on the person that's done it. I'm sure they'll take the action required." Livingston have since confirmed that the fan has been issued with a lifetime ban. A statement from Chief Executive Dave Black said: "We'll also be issuing a lifetime ban to the individual and will speak with the relevant authorities required to ask for that ban to be country-wide too.' Ross County chief executive Steven Ferguson fears there is an unwanted fan culture creeping back into Scottish football. Ferguson acknowledged: 'I think, like you said, that's a wider problem. My concern and my duty here is always to our team and our staff. 'The fact that one of our members of staff was spat in the face is disappointing. But like you said, there seems to be a bit of culture keeping back into the game.' Ferguson admitted what Assistant Manager Carl Tremarco had to endure at Set Fare Arena is totally unacceptable. 'The line was crossed when that happened,' Ferguson added. 'Obviously, there's been a reaction at the dugout and it was pretty clear for everybody that Livingston supporters spat in the face of one of our staff. 'You've got two teams that have got a lot at stake on fighting it out on the pitch. 'I get the emotion bit, but we as a football club cannot accept somebody spitting in the face of one of our staff. 'For me, that doesn't belong in football and doesn't belong anywhere, so, we're disappointed in that. 'But what I will say is, Livingston were excellent and very quick to react.' The County staff have all rallied around Tremarco. Ferguson said: 'He's cleaned himself up and he's obviously disappointed, but he'll be absolutely fine. 'Carl certainly wasn't expecting that. There were words exchanged which we all saw. 'Again, I'll state the emotions are high. Their team has conceded a penalty kick in the last seconds of the game, so I totally understand that. 'We can understand the emotion, but I think that's definitely crossed the line. 'I believe the person's been identified and it's out with my hands now. The people that need to know about it do know about it. 'Nobody wants to see that. For that to happen at the end is just unacceptable.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Cowie 'would love chance' to stay at County - but should he?
After three seasons of swirling the Scottish Premiership plug hole, Ross County were eventually flushed down the drain on Monday following their play-off in on the half-time whistle in Dingwall, Don Cowie's men were two goals up on aggregate against second-tier a second-leg capitulation, conceding four times from the 39th minute, was symptomatic of their end-of-season Cowie's side beat Kilmarnock 1-0 at home at the start of March, a third win in four games, they were just two points off the top six and seven clear of 11th. But they have been in freefall in the 11 matches since, failing to win a single game."Back in February/March, I did not see this happening to County," former Premiership midfielder Michael Stewart said on BBC Sportsound."I thought they had enough grit and determination to see enough results through that they wouldn't have been dragged into the relegation play-off spot."Reflecting on the woeful form that was ultimately responsible for their relegation, manager Cowie said: "I accept the last three months has not been good enough. That's where we've got to take ownership and accountability."From where we were to where we've ended up is nowhere near good enough. I can only apologise. I'm someone from the area so it hurts more than most because I recognise the impact this will have on the community."Despite that, the County boss still has "hunger and belief" to attempt to guide the Highland side back to the top flight and he would "love to have that opportunity".Whether the club's board agree remains to be seen, but chairman Roy MacGregor is not shy in making brutal calls."Cowie is not naive enough to think questions won't be asked about him as a manager," former Scotland striker Kris Boyd said on Sky Sports."The form has been alarming. The squad has lost its identity. MacGregor is ruthless when he needs to be. Just because you're from [the area] doesn't mean you won't lose your job."Meanwhile, James McFadden wants to see the club show faith in Cowie as the ex-Scotland forward believes fans could see the best of the County manager in the second tier."We look at David Martindale, the whole talk is about them going back up, but there's been a change of style at Livingston," he said on Sky Sports. "Cowie has always been in a job where he's always fighting to stay in the league. Maybe we have a chance to see the best version of him going down, building the team in his image and getting a chance to grow as a manager."
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
'Got what we deserved', 'Rancid for months', 'Cowie not the right man'
We asked for your views after Ross County were relegated from the Premiership following the 4-2 second-leg defeat to Livingston in the play-off final. Here's what some of you said: Stephen: Got what we deserved and saw it coming weeks ago. Martyn: Abysmal form, overreliance on loan players. Aside from Josh Nisbet, Ronan Hale and Jordan White there was a lack of fight across the team in our most important game of the season. We deserved to be relegated unfortunately. Sadly we'll need to cash in on Hale as well. If Don Cowie goes, hard to see who would want the job. Eilidh: No less than we deserve. Our defence is shocking. It's the fact we were 2-0 up which makes it painful. It's a loss for Highland football in general. Rick: Being 2-0 up before half an hour, then losing 4-2 at home tells you all you need to know about County. We've been circling the drain for months. Dozens of 'must-win' games prior to this loss. Nothing more than we deserve. Sean: Hope County do not follow in footsteps of ICT. Looks like they will have to improve drastically to bounce back up but a harder league to do that. Don Cowie is just too nice, they need a manager who says what it is. John: Time to clear out the underperforming players. Ronny: For the best part of three months, we have been rancid. Three relegation play-offs in a row suggests there's something broken in the football side of things. This has to be the worst one yet, given we were in the hunt for the top six until the final game before the split. Hale aside, we have been so, so poor from back to front and it's finally caught up with us. Alistair: I thoroughly disagree with Don Cowie. He most definitely is not the right man for the job. I do not have any belief in him as manager at all and it appears neither do the players. He must surely be sacked now after this. He should have gone weeks ago. There is no place for schoolboy kick and rush football at this level. BTW Livingston, well done. You thoroughly deserve to be promoted. County could not lay a glove on you. Peter: Disappointed to lose in that way, should never have lost that. The Championships is the best place for us right now, gives a chance to win games and refresh squad and mindsets.
