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Ross County manager Neale Cooper was deeply disappointed after his side’s 0-0 draw at home to Berwick Rangers last Saturday. The only consolation that there is in the result is that the teams above County in the division also dropped valuable points.
"It’s been a bad weekend for us and I was very disappointed with our display," Cooper said. "It is probably our worst display of the season."
Cooper apologised in the press to the fans for the team’s poor performance and he highlighted Nicky Walker and Kenny Gilbert as players who received pass marks.
County must now regain some form before they entertain Airdrie in the cup replay or else the expected large turn-out (4,000+) will be in for a hard night’s viewing.
Cooper said, "The boys know that they must raise their game against Airdrie. Another performance like last Saturday’s will be disastrous. We must pick up our game."
Alex Taylor echoed his manager’s comments. He said, "We are all disappointed and we have no excuses. We were faced with changes because of injuries but this is something we have had to live with all season."
He added, "I think that Berwick will feel that they deserved more from the game and will be disappointed with the point. We created few clear-cut chances. We did not have next week’s replay in our mind. We desperately want to win the league and that is our principal aim."
There was mixed news on the injury front. Neil Tarrant has a dislocated kneecap after an injury sustained in last Saturday’s game. However, Frenchman Frank Escalon has come through a reserve match with no re-occurrence of his hamstring problem and should be fit for selection next Tuesday.
DRM 2 February 1998
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Nicky Walker has won a few honours in his long career that has taken him to clubs such as Leicester, Motherwell, Rangers, Partick Thistle, Hearts, Burnley, Aberdeen and now Ross County. Throughout his time with Scottish clubs he has never had much luck in the Scottish Cup.
Walker is realistic when he says, "It would be nice to have success, but with my record I’m not forecasting a win."
Walker and Ross County take the next step to cup glory against Airdrie on Tuesday night (3/2) in a replay in Dingwall. The Dingwall keeper added, "We’re lucky to have this second chance. After twenty minutes and we were 0-2 down I thought that we were out. But Mark Haro scored for us just before the break and Steve Ferguson got the equaliser and now we’re looking forward to the replay."
If County can win then they will entertain Dundee in the fourth round of the cup and Walker is looking forward to that as well.
"When I was with Rangers Dundee knocked us out of the cup a couple of times and I remember that when I was at Partick Thistle they beat us as well! But all we’re looking forward to at the moment is beating Airdrie."
All this is a bonus for Walker. He had quit football several times to concentrate on the family business (shortbread amongst other things) but has been lured back into the game on several occasions.
Walker admitted, "I was ready to quit after being with Scotland to Euro96 and then again when I was with Aberdeen.
"When I was at Pittodrie I knew that Jim Leighton was returning and I realised that I would not be getting a regular game. I was given a free at the end of last season and until County approached me I thought that my playing days were over."
Walker added, "County are trying really hard. There is plenty of ambition about the club and they are a well-organised unit.
"Manager Neale Cooper and all the players have been very good to me and I hope that it has worked both ways. We have a few injuries at the moment and it has meant that Alex Taylor and I are the only experienced players in the side."
County are desperate for promotion this season after missing out on goal difference last term. They are in a good position to achieve this goal at the moment.
Walker says that it is difficult juggling two careers. He said, "I work in the early part of the week at the factory, then on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays I am with Ross County. My contract at Dingwall is up at the end of the season and we’ll just have to wait to see what happens then. But more and more of my time is being spent in the family business."
DRM 3 February 1998
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County defender Mark Haro hopes to be fit to play in tonight’s third round cup replay against Airdrie. Haro was carried off the field in the first match with a broken nose - the fifth in his career - after a nasty collision of heads.
Haro is looking forward to the replay, "We were struggling in the first match until I managed to score with a header just on half time.
"We went on to eqaualise and another good performance tonight should see us through. I hope to be fit to play because my nose does not bother me unless I get a direct hit.
"It will be difficult because they play at a higher level-week in week-out but we are capable of producing an upset."
Neil Tarrant is the only casualty from last Saturday’s disappointing performance against Berwick Rangers, but Frank Escalon is available for selection again.
DRM 3 February 1998
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The Ross County goal-hero missed out on the celebrations in Dingwall last night. Derek Adams had scored a last-gasp winner to send Airdrie crashing out of the Tennent’s Scottish Cup but whilst his team-mates celebrated Adams was heading back to his Aberdeen home.
The former Dons and Burnley striker is only a part-time player with Ross County as he is on a block-release college course. At the moment Adams is putting all his energies into his off-the-field activities despite interest being shown by first division clubs such as Hamilton Accies.
DRM 5 February 1998
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County manager Neale Cooper expects his side to perform well against Dumbarton this afternoon. There are doubts over Steve Ferguson and Gerry Farrell but cup-tied Charlie King returns to the squad.
Cooper recognises the improved form that Dumbarton have been showing in recent weeks and that County have not beaten them this season. However, Dumbarton’s record at Boghead is dire and Cooper hopes that it will be thus come 5pm this afternoon.
DRM 7 February 1998
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A crowd bigger than the population of Dingwall will assemble in Victoria Park this afternoon to watch Ross County play Dundee in the fourth round of the Tennent’s Scottish Cup.
Ticket sales have reached 4,500 but fans will still be able to gain access to the "Jail End" right up to kick-off.
Manager Neale Cooper acknowledges that County are in a no-lose situation. If they go out to their first division opponents then they will be able to concentrate on winning promotion. If they win they will go into tonight’s fifth round draw.
"This is one of the biggest games we have had to play since I joined Ross County," Cooper said. "There is no pressure on us because we are not expected to win. The league remains our number one priority."
County will be without Steve Ferguson and Alex Taylor who are both injured.
DRM 14 February 1998
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Ross County defender Davie McKay will miss tonight’s Tennent’s Scottish Cup replay because he picked up a booking last Saturday. McKay was booked against Airdrie in the previous round and the rules of the competition mean that he must sit this one out.
"It’s a big blow to us," said manager Neale Cooper. "He is a very good defender who has been playing well for us. It will mean a change in our defensive line-up but I have one or two options to consider."
The replay means a return to Dens Park for winger Roy McBain. He left Dundee in September 1996.
"I enjoyed my stay at Dundee. This replay and what it means for us if we win is the biggest game I have ever played in," said McBain
Cheif Executive Roy McGregor, hinted that there might be a financial reward for the players if they win tonight.
"I think that you can say that the players will be looked after," said McGregor. " We would hope that playing for the shirt would be reward enough."
DRM 17 February 1998
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Ross County manager Neale Cooper has warned his players that only their best form will do in the coming weeks. In an interview with Ronnie MacKay (The Press and Journal) Cooper gave a full and frank account of his disappointments and hopes for the future.
Cooper said, "I am very proud of what the players have achieved against Dundee and I have told them son Now they have to show a similar commitment in the league matches that are coming up.
"They must realise that they need to raise their game in the league as well. They have demonstrated that they can perform at a higher level against teams from higher divisions. But there have been times when our league from has not matched these efforts and this has been very frustrating.
"The cup run has been encouraging, but now the teams in our own division will see what we have done in the cup and the tables will be turned because they will be looking to upset us.
"I want maximum commitment from the team to take as many points as we can in the league and if the players don’t perform then they wont play.
Ross County currently lie in third spot in the Bell’s Third Division behind Arbroath and Alloa.
On the Dundee cup replay which County lost 0-3, Cooper commented, "I was very pleased with the first half against Dundee, but then we lost a quick goal and that gave them an extra boost.
"What a lot of people do not realise is that there is a bit of a slope at Dens Park and we were playing against the wind too in the second half.
"The second goal knocked the stuffing out of us and we had to make sure that we did not lose the place completely as Dundee rallied strongly."
County come back to reality with a bang on Saturday (21/2) when they travel to Firs Park to play East Stirlingshire. Missing from the side will be Steve Ferguson and Stuart Golabek who are both suspended, whilst mid-fielder Kenny Gilbert has a leg knock and will struggle to be fit.
DRM 19 February 1998
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Ross County launched a £600,000 share flotation, the biggest by any club outside the premier division.
County’s existing 600,000-share stock will be doubled if the scheme is fully subscribed and chairman Roy McGregor described the ambitious plan as a new vision fro the club.
The money raised will be split between four objectives:
1. developing multi-sports facilities (which would mean Ross County being associated with local athletics, rugby, hockey and other sports);
2. giving manager Neale Cooper money to strengthen his squad;
3. developing stronger links with the local community; and,
4. increasing commercial activities.
A fully subscribed flotation would also wipe out Ross County’s existing debt and leave the club in the black.
McGregor, now chairman of the newly set-up Ross County plc, said, We see this as an ambitious move to try to take the club towards the year 2000. It’s a new vision for Ross County. Already we have had good feedback from the supporters for what we are trying to do.
County are working towards promotion this season and we see ourselves having the financial base and the supportive infrastructure eventually to maintain a place in the Scottish League First Division.
This offering of shares gives our loyal supporters and the public from the community the opportunity to become part owners of the club.
The deadline for buying shares is April 8, or a week earlier for those taking out a loan arranged between Ross County and the Bank of Scotland. The minimum investment is £250.
Manager Cooper, still disappointed with his players’ attitude after last Saturday’s 0-1 defeat at East Stirling, said, The share issue hasn’t really been discussed with me. If the club is saying money will be made available to me then that’s great because they have always been honest with me.
If you would like to invest I Ross County plc then the share prospectus is available from Victoria Park, Dingwall or from Bank of Scotland branches in Dingwall and Inverness.
DRM 26 February 1998
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