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Ian Maxwell could provide the defensive foundation for a successful Ross County promotion drive this season, according to player-boss Neale Cooper.
The Dingwall side snapped up Maxwell from Queen's Park in July on a one-year contract.
Cooper believes that Maxwell (24) could be one of the best signings he has made after just two games in a County shirt.
And he expects the tall defender to stand-out when County play first division Greenock Morton at Cappielow tomorrow (Saturday 8/8) when County attempt to reach the Third Round of the Scottish League Cup.
"Ian won't look out of place in First Division company because he has already showed the sort of ability which makes it a big surprise to me that he isn't playing at a far higher level," said Cooper.
"He has slotted into our side perfectly and looked very comfortable and totally composed in every game he has played since he joined us during the summer.
"He's pretty much unflappable. He's strong in the air and very quick on the ground and his distribution is superb. And there's an extra bonus because he's also very useful with free kicks around the opposition penalty box."
Maxwell trains with Second Division Clyde, and his enthusiasm and skill have helped win over County's hard-to-please fans.
Cooper added, "Our supporters are not the easiest in the world to please because they expect good performances from good players who are prepared to die for the shirt.
"But they're talking about Ian Maxwell in glowing terms, which shows that they've warmed to the big fellow very quickly - despite the fact that they probably haven't seen the best of him yet."
Maxwell is a certain starter in what Cooper has already hinted will be an unchanged County starting line-up against Morton.
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Ross County are looking to continue in a winning vein for their opening Bell's Scottish League match against East Stirlingshire.
County won their opening match against Montrose relatively easily last Saturday thatnks to a brilliant hat-trick by Derek Adams.
Neale Cooper said, "We're looking for more of the same, the players know that the league is our main priority this season although it was great to start off with a win in the cup."
He added, "We've got to be a bit more positive going forward as we now look very solid at the back. Billy Ferries is doubtful for tonight's game but everyone else is fit and raring to go."
Steve Ferguson misses the match through suspension and former 'Shire striker Murray Hunter will be on the bench because Derek Adams and Neil Tarrant are scoring lots of goals.
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County stalwart Robbie Williamson will end an 18-month absence from the football field when he plays for Ross County A against Fort William in the North Of Scotland Cup today.
Williamson is back to full fitness after a serious leg injury and is in line for a testimonial match later in the season against Coventry City.
Transfer-listed Jamie McPherson, Gary Wood and Stuart Golabek will all play in the match.
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Neale Cooper looks set to name an unchanged side for the second round tie against Greenock Morton this afternoon.
He said, "I know some of the fans have been critical in this respect but I would have liked nothing better than to field settled sides.
"Unfortunately, injuries and suspensions have played their part in the past and they did, to some degree, prevent us from achieving the same fluid style of play we have shown this season.
"We'll have to be at our best and it will definately be a bonus if we win - but our main priority is the league."
County go to Cappielow after two victories but this will be the biggest test of the season so far for a side that has been playing open, attractive football.
Steve Ferguson is back after suspension but may have to settle for a place on the bench. Frank escalon starred in the two cup ties against Dundee last season and he commented, "We competed well over these two games but we didn't have luck on our side. We've got the type of players who could do well against Morton and our passing game is good for the fans to watch.
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Scotland's top marksman Neil Tarrant is hoping to maintain his excellent start to the season against Dundee United tonight.
Ex-Darlington Tarrant scored his first hat-trick in County's 8-0 demolition of Albion Rovers last Saturday when County went top of Bell's Scottish League Division Three.
The 19-year-old has scored five goals so far this season and he has scored in the two previous rounds of the Scottish League Cup.
Tarrant said, "My confidence is sky-high at the moment and, after Saturday's big win, our dressing room is buzzing. There's a feeling that we could pull off a shock on Wednesday night.
"We always raise our game against the big clubs and all the pressure will be on United in a no-win game for them. We can go out and relax and enjoy the big occasion in front of a large, noisy home crowd.
"I'll be looking to keep my scoring streak going. I've scored in every round of the cup so far, against Montrose and Morton, and I'm desperate to get another against United."
Tarrant was freed by Darlington 15 months ago and he tried his luk in France (Auxerre) and Ireland before signing for County.
He recalled, "I scored twice on a cold night in Inverness for County reserves against Clach and Neale Cooper offered me a contract. I haven't looked back since.
"The manager's enthusiasm has encouraged me to work hard on a few aspects of my game every day in training and it's paying off with goals."
Neale Cooper is delighted with the teenager's form. He said, "Strikers with Neil's physique and pace don't come easily and you don't usually pick them up as free agents.
"He's a hard working lad who desperately wants to learn and improve his game. That makes him a pleasure to to work with in training and his graft over the last year is paying off now.
"He has made it clear that he wants to outscore Derek Adams this season and if Derek responds to Neil's challenge the way I expect him to then our promotion challenge can only benefit."
County's only injury worry for the big game is Adams who has a thigh strain.
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Dundee United stand between Ross County and a glamourous, money-spinning Scottish League Cup quarter final.
The two teams may be three divisions apart but one ex-United player cannot wait for the kick off tonight when he will be wearing the blue of Ross County rather than the tangerine of Dundee United.
County midfielder Alex Taylor said, "If we give the performance we are capable of we should give United a good game. It's 11 against 11 on the night."
He added, "I'm looking forward to playing against Maurice (Malpas, the only survivor from Taylor's Dundee days), he's been a tremendous player and ambassador for United over the years and when he does eventually hang up his boots I've no doubt he will make a first class manager."
Malpas sat in the stand last Saturday watching County roll over Albion Rovers 8-0 and must have been impressed by County's passing game and their clinical finishing.
County's manager Neale Cooper feels that the club captain Nicky Walker will relish tonight's tie.
Cooper said, "There will be more pressure on Nicky than in any other game this season, but experience oozes from him when he takes the field and he is a major asset to our club.
"We'll go out to win the game but if we don't then we'll switch our thoughts immediately to next Saturday's game against Montrose."
Cooper adds Gary Wood to his squad and it looks as if super striker Derek Adams will get a place alongside his prolific scoring partner Neil Tarrant from the start.
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A teenage girl made history this week by becoming one of the first coaches to be appointed under the SFA's skillseeker scheme.
Fiona McWilliams demonstrated her ball skills and put Ross County's first team players through their paces in Dingwall yesterday.
County have signed Fiona along with six young men to train for the SFA Level Two coaching certificate. Fiona could be coaching girls and women to play in County's colours.
The club's SFA community coach Danny McDonald was optimistic about the appointment.
He said, "We took on Fiona in the hope that she would coach an under-16 girls team starting in September.
"And the long term outlook is for her to become a player coach with the ladies' team for Ross County FC in the foreseeable future.
"Women's football is the fastest growing sport in Europe and we have in the Highlands the largest development centre in Scotland, with 100 women travelling to Inverness for coaching once a month."
Fiona is a founder member and player for Elgin Ladies and she plays for them in the Scottish League.
"I hope to continue playing for Elgin this season , in addition to starting under-16 and under-13 girls' teams in Dingwall," she said.
"The Women's League matches are on Sundays so I'll be supporting Ross County on Saturdays!"
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Two goal hero Derek Adams was hoping to draw Glasgow Rangers in the next round of the Scottish League Cup.
Adams scored a double in extra time to dispose of Dundee United 2-0 in Dingwall last night.
"I want Rangers in Dingwall, because I'm a big Rangers fan," he said.
"I was disappointed to miss Saturday's 8-0 win over Albion Rovers, but I was told that I would get on against United if the match was tight and I was delighted to get both goals.
"The free kick was the most important goal of my career so far and while I got both goals all 13 County players out there with me must share the credit for a wonderful result."
Neale Cooper was delighted with the result but he needs to wait for a couple of days to find out who County will play in the quarter final of the competition.
He said, "I don't care who we get, beating a Premier Division side like Dundee United is reward enough.
"We set out to close United down and frustrate them in the hope that we could nick a goal and the game-plan worked perfectly.
"I was looking for signs that the memory of missing out on promotion so narrowly last season was being worked out of our system and I got them tonight."
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Ross County hero Derek Adams reckons that County had to settle for third best in yesterday's draw for the quarter final of the Scottish League Cup which gave County an away tie with Tennent's Scottish Cup holders Hearts.
But he believes County pulled a nightmare draw out of the hat. He said, "I'd rather have been going to Ibrox to play Rangers and second favourite was a home tie with Ayr United or Hibs, so getting Hearts at Tyncastle was a big disappointment.
"When a club like Ross County get this far in any cup competition, they start to look for a tie that will make money and there is not a bigger earner than going to Ibrox.
"Or, we keep our fingers crossed for a home tie and we'd have fancied our chances against Ayr or Hibs after our performance against Dundee United, but Hearts will be tough opposition, especially on their own patch in Edinburgh."
Adams signed on a free transfer from Burnley two seasons ago and County's top goal scorer for the past two seasons came off the bench to hammer two goals in extra time to sink Dundee United in the last round.
Looking forward to the trip to Edinburgh, Adams said, "Dundee United contributed to their own downfall in Dingwall because their attitude was all wrong, but Hearts will not fall into that trap.
"United allowed us to make them play Third Division football, knocking the ball long from the back. That's something we come up against every week and know how to handle.
"Hearts' approach will be very different. Jim Jeffries will make sure there is no complacency at Tynecastle and will make life very difficult for us against one of the best cup sides in the country."
County boss Neale Cooper said, "Hearts at Tynecastle is the toughest tie we could possibly have drawn. They are as tough a prospect as Celtic or Rangers.
"But between now and then we have to re-focus on our main aim for the season, promotion to the Second Division, and that means getting our feet back on the ground for three difficult league matches before the Hearts game.
"After a great performance against United in the cup the last thing we can afford is a disaster against Montrose on Saturday and that's what anything other than victory will be."
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Boss Neale Cooper revealed County's win-at-all-costs philosphy is the secret behind their excellent start to the 1998-99 season.
The Dingwall side stormed through to the quarter finals of the Scottish League Cup beating Morton and Dundee United en route. They have also won their opening three matches in the Third Division and have nine points after their victories over East Stirling, Albion Rovers and Montrose.
Cooper and County are under pressure to clinch promotion this season and the County boss believes his men are living up to their favourites tag.
He said, "We are definately a more attack-minded team this season because draws cost us dearly last season. If we find we are level with 15 or 20 minutes to go then we will chase the game to get the winner.
"What's the point in getting three points from three draws when all it takes is a win to get the three points? We are being more adventurous and it is great for the fans to watch.
"We have made a cracking start to what is such a crucial season for us and put in a lot of hard work over the summer."
County were badly hit by injuries last season but Cooper is now reaping the benefits of a settled side. Striker Derek Adams has score five goals this seaon, including two against Dundee United and Cooper cannot praise the youngster highly enough.
Cooper said, "Derek has been in outstanding form this season. He just keeps improving all the time. I am not surprised that interest is being shown in our prolific goal scorer."
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League Cup giant killers Ross County look certain to cash in on hot striker Derek Adams scoring streak to the tune of a six-figure fee from a Scottish First Division club.
Raith Rovers are believed to have tabled a firm offer which would more than treble the record for a transfer from the Third Division.
Hibs and Morton are also showing interest as are some English clubs, but Adams is not too keen on a move south again.
Speaking yesterday, Neale Cooper admitted, "We've had inquiries about Derek from three clubs, two in England and one in Scotland.
"One of them has tabled an offer which would be an outgoing Ross County transfer record by miles and the board are considering it."
One of the Scottish League's top marksmen last season, Adams has scored more than 50 goals for County in two seasons.
Scouts from Carlisle United, Huddersfield and West Ham saw the 24-year-old former Aberdeen and Burnley striker score two goals against Dundee United to set County up for a Scottish League Cup quarter final tie with Hearts.
Cooper added, Derek worked hard over the close season and came back far stronger and fitter and faster than he was at the end of last season.
"I don't want to lose a player of Derek's quality because of what he could do for our promotion campaign over the next eight months, but the matter is totally out of my hands now.
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Striker Derek Adams is set to make his farewell performance for Ross County in the Third Division top-of-the-table clash against Cowdenbeath in Dingwall today.
Greenock Morton have offered in excess of £100,000 for the player and the County board are expected to decide on it after today's game. Raith Rovers, Hibs and Huddersfield are also thought to be interested in signing the player.
Adams, 23, scored 66 goals in two season in the Aberdeen reserves but did not break though to the first team. After a spell at Burnley, he moved to County where he has been top scorer for the past two seasons.
County manager Neale Cooper said that the board was considering the offer but he is desperate for Adams to stay for as long as possible to help their promotion push.
Cooper said, "It would be sad if we lost Derek because he is important to the team. But he feels that he can play at a higher level and we will not stand in his way."
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