ROSS COUNTY FOOTBALL CLUB

Player Profiles And Interviews From The 1998-99 Season

PAGE INDEX

1. IAN MAXWELL

2. NEALE COOPER

3. ROBBIE WILLIAMSON

4. ROSS COUNTY VERSUS HEARTS

5. THE FULL TIME PLAYERS

6. NEIL TARRANT

7. Last Season's Player Profiles

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MAXWELL CLOCKS UP THE MILES TO BE A FINE MAN FOR COUNTY

This article appeared in the Scotland on Sunday on Sunday 30th August 1998. It was written by Phil Gordon.

The long and winding road to Dingwall may not be paved with gold for Ian Maxwell, but it is certain to be putting extra pennies in the Ross County defender's pocket.

Maxwell earns his real wages from the construction company Tarmac, although these days he spends as much time on the roads as building them. A summer move to the Highlands has given the Glasgow-based player an arduous weekly schedule of work, play but little rest.

But diversions such as next Wednesday's League Cup tie with Hearts certainly help. Having already taken care of Dundee United en route to Tynecastle, the Third Division side are hardly gripped by fear at the prospect and Maxwell believes that Ross County could be on the road to higher grounds before the season ends.

"It is not until you come to Ross County and get a true picture of how professional the club is, that you understand how it is geared for bigger things than the Third Division."

The promise of such upward mobility was what enticed the 23-year-old to join Neale Cooper's team from Queen's Park in June. A player who was good enough to spend a week under the scrutiny of Graham Taylor at Wolves, but who let his university degree, and ultimately his civil engineering job, map out his football life in recent years wanted to taste better things and Ross County provided that.

"It was not until after the Dundee United game that it sank in what we had done," enthuses Maxwell. "We had gone for a lap of honour to thank the fans who had given us great backing and then came back out for our warm-down about half an hour later than usual.

"When we came in we could hear Tommy McLean still giving his players a bollocking in their dressing-room. It was about 45 minutes after the final whistle had gone. But that was when we realised. The next day, when I came into work, people wanted to talk to me about the game. Since my firm is based in Newmains, in Lanarkshire, that gives you an idea of how Ross County have captured the imagination."

Maxwell's civil engineering job means that there is little chance of him upping sticks to the rural idyll of Dingwall. He lives in Cumbernauld and trains with Clyde. On Thursday, he spent much of his time on the motorway on a round trip to a quarry in Nottingham.

In the circumstances, the last thing he needed was to join Britain's most northerly senior club, with a 200 mile trek for every home match. But youth brings an adventurous zeal.

"I'd been at Hampden since I was 15, but I am at an age now where I can do this amount of travelling because I have no family. I drive up to Dingwall with Alex Taylor and at the moment I love the travelling. But it is easy to enjoy everything about Ross County right now."

Maxwell was lured north by the pursuasive tongue of Neale Cooper. The Ross County manager revealed: "I had been chasing Ian for two years but he didn't want to sign before because he was at university and then he had just moved to a new job.

"He is doing a great job for us. He gives us a presence we didn't have in defence. Bigger clubs looked at him and I am surprised no-one took a chance on him. I will be surprised if his career doesn't advance with us, but I hope we can get there with Ian on board."

Maxwell was one of three signings Cooper made in the close season - the others being david Ross from Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Murray Hunter from East Stirlingshire - to bolster a squad that had twice come within an ace of promotion.

In 1996-97, County missed out on goal difference despite matching Forfar's 67 points. Last May, they again accumulated 67 points but Arbroath finished one point ahead.

"It was a real blow last season," reflects Cooper. "To come so close once is difficult to recover from, but twice is very painful," says the ex-Aberdeen and Rangers player. "There were problems, such as never being able to field the same team every week through injuries which is one of the reasons I bought Ian. But the players are still hungry."

So too are the public. An average gate of 1,300 turns up to see the Third Division leaders, while the Dundee United success was watched by just under 4,000, including a supporters' bus from Skye.

Adding to the well-travelled theme is Frenchman Frank Escalon a midfielder who has arrived by way of Berwick Rangers to take up residence in the Highlands.

"It was a bit of a culture shock for Frank at first," says Cooper, "But he loves living up here now."

The Frenchman will be able to add Edinburgh Castle to his list of sights next Wednesday, but Maxwell insists his team are not going for the ride.

"Hearts will have done their homework on us. Our win over United has blown our cover a bit, but in the back of their minds they will be worried too. It's up to us to use that."

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ROBBIE'S GRAND DAY OUT

Robbie Williamson was signed from Inverness Clachnacuddin 10 years ago by former Ross County boss Bobby Wilson. This October (the dat has still to be confirmed) English Premiership side Coventry City will come to Dingwall to play in Williamson's well-earned Testimonial Match.

Gordon Strachan, the Coventry manager, has promised to take a strong side north for what should be a memorable occasion for Robbie and the Victoria Park fans.

Robbie, still only 29, remebers his early years at County with affection.

"They were great days," he enthused. "I was privileged to play with such a great bunch of lads. The secret of the team's success was the luxury of being able to play the same 13 players week in and week out. It also helped to produce a tremendous team spirit."

Nicknamed "Psyche" by the fans, (he cannot understand why), Robbie was a lynchpin in a side that achieved back-to-back Highland League Championship wins in seasons 1990-91 and 1991-92 as well as a clean sweep of the north's trophies.

"My most memorable goal during those days was the one I scored against Huntly which helped us to clinch the league title in front of our own fans in '91, " he recalls. "I managed to get on the end of an Albert Allen free kick and headed the ball into the net from about 12 yards." County went on to win to win the game 2-0.

Leading County out in their first ever Division Three encounter was by far Robbie's proudest moment as a player.

"It was a real honour to captain the team at Cowdenbeath that day, especially as we won the game 2-0," he said.

"Some of the County fans may find it hard to believe, but after the club gained league status, I went two seasons without getting myself suspended."

Robbie admitted that by far the worst time in his County career was being part of the side which lost out to Forfar Athletic in the promotion race a couple of seasons ago.

"That was hard to take, as we only missed out on goal difference on the last day," he recalled.

After breaking his leg against Albion Rovers last August, Robbie was forced to watch from the side-lones as County again missed out on promotion by a whisker. Although not setting himself targets, Robbie has fought back bravely after a punishing schedule, which included a couple of pre-season friendlies, and the good news for all County fans is he is not far from full fitness.

Despite a couple of failed attempts, Robbie firmly believes that manager Neale Cooper is the best man to steer County into a higher division.

"The gaffer was more disappointed than anyone when we finished out of the frame again last season. But if we get off to a good start this time round there is every chance that we can go all the way with the squad of players he has at his disposal," he predicted.

After his playing days are over, Robbie hopes to go into the coaching side of things, and this month he will be put through his paces in what promises to be a strenuous two-week SFA course under the auspices of Ross Jack and Danny McDonald.

While off injured, Robbie helped out with County's Under-21 side, and he assures us that there is no shortage of talent in the ranks.

"Graham Munro from Invergordon is an excellent prospect, he plays centre-midfield and has a lot to offer. Then there is left back Gary Ewing from Nairn, and another Invergordon lad Steve McKay, both very promising youngsters."

But Robbie has no intention of hanging up his boots yet, and he says that he is as content today as he was the day he joined the club back in 1988.

"To have stayed at one club for ten years you have to be happy, and well-looked after, and County have certainly been good for me," said Robbie.

County fans will be hoping that this unique relationship between player and club continues for some time yet.

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THE ROSS COUNTY TEAM

This is Lorsports' analysis of how the Ross County players performed on Wednesday night in the Scottish League Cup quarter final against Hearts at Tyncastle.
NB. The team is listed in their playing formation 3-5-2.

1. Nicky Walker:
Nicky had an excellent game. He handled confidently and because he marshalled his defence so well he had very few direct shots to deal with. He distributed the ball well from foot and hand. His experience and coolness were vital to the well being of the side in front of such a vocal Hearts support. 8/10
4. Billy Herd:
Billy had an excellent game playing in the right central defence. He was assured in his tackling and he distributed well from the back. He was quick to support his other defenders and in one instance in the second half he blocked a certain goal to keep County in the game. 7/10
5. Ian Maxwell:
Ian played at the heart of the County defence and he looked assured on the ground and solid in the air. Many of Hearts' attacks floundered on the good work of this elegant defender. He is equally strong on the ground and he passes well from both feet. 8/10
2. Stuart Golabek:
Stuart had a solid game on the left side of central defence. He marked and tackled well throughout the game and frequently joined the attack in support of his wing-back. He worked tirelessly before being replaced in the first period of extra time by Campbell.. 6/10
6. Kenny Gilbert:
Kenny was given the holding role in front of the back three with a more specific man-marking job firstly on Neil McCann and then Jose Quitongo. He did a splendid job, snuffing out any danger that these clever players may have posed. 7/10
11. Frank Escalon:
Frank is Lorsports Man of the Match. He patrolled the right flank throughout the first half before adopting the controlling role in midfield after Alex Taylor departed. He passed the ball accurately and worked very hard in defence. He was unlucky to see his well-placed shot strike the bar and it was his telling cross that broke the Hearts defence allowing Roy McBain in to score. He set up Derek Adams with an excellent chance in the second have being very alert after he had lost his footing. (9/10)
10. Alex Taylor:
Alex worked tirelessly in midfield making himself available at all times to his defence when they wanted to play the ball away from their lines. He marshalled the midfield and was playing a prominent "play-maker" role effectively. He passed the ball well and often with great vision. He was substituted by Ross mid-way through the second half. (8/10)
7. Steve Ferguson:
Steve played in an attacking role playing behing the front two. He worked hard but his lack of genuine pace often left him exposed in defence. This more than anything contributed to his booking. He did work very hard for the cause on the night and one cannot fault his effort. (6/10)
3. Roy McBain:
Roy made the left flank his own. He was never over-awed by the experience and was always willing to take the opposition on with the ball at his feet. He looked to get in telling positions and he thoroughly deserved his goal because he came close with similar afforts twice in the second half. He was going strong at the end and the only criticism I would have is that he lacks the vision of a quality player. He pushes Frank for the Lorsports' award. (9/10)
8. Derek Adams:
He was closely marked by the powerful Hearts defence so he never really got the opportunities that he would normally get in the Third Division. He worked hard and had some good touches. He had a great shot saved by Rousset - it was touched on to the post - which might have sealed it for County early in the second half. (6/10)
9. Neil Tarrant:
He was often County's lone target man and playing against Scotland's David Weir and Paul Ritchie must have been a great experience for him. He looked good in the air and worked hard to put the pressure on the Hearts defence as they tried to play the ball away from their goal. (6/10)

Replacements:

12. Gary Wood (for Tarrant):
Gary came on for Tarrant and worked hard harrying and chasing the Hearts defence. He later moved to a defensive role when Golabek went off. He was involved in the "Paul Ritchie incident" and was lucky to receive only a yellow card for a clumsy tackle on Locke. (3/10)
14. Davie Ross (for Taylor):
He came on for Alex Taylor and played in the right wing-back position. He worked with enthusiasm up and down the right flank but he looked a little one-paced. (4/10)
15. Connor Campbell (for Golabek):
Connor came on for the period of extra-time. He is slight and is easliy knocked off the ball. He chased and harried well but he was given little opportunity to show his obvious talents at this level. (3/10)

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