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Ross County manager Neale Cooper last night rallied his troops for the Dingwall club's daunting First Division debut at Ayr United.
Before County boss Neale Cooper left with his squad for an overnight stop in Glasgow, he said: "We've had Ayr United watched and they're certainly a slick moving side and very attack-minded. However, we, too, have players who can score goals and we're all looking forward to the occasion.
"There is bound to be a bit of pressure on them as they have brought in a lot of new players. We're now playing in a higher division and need to work harder all over the park, but we have the players to do the job for us."
Former Ayr United striker Alex Bone is looking forward to facing his old side and continuing his fine pre-season scoring run.
Bone said: "I've scored in every pre-season game and, hopefully, can keep it up against Ayr United although the important thing is to pick up all three points.
"The Dingwall fans seem to have taken to me and I just love playing my football in the Highlands as it's a real pleasure to go into training every morning.
"Ross County have given me a fresh challenge and I'm looking forward to helping them do well in the First Division."
County are without former Stirling Albion midfielder John McQuade and tough-tackling Steve Ferguson, who has failed to recover from an ankle knock.
Ayr United manager Gordon Dalziel is taking nothing for granted. He said: "Everyone's looking for us to win this one as County are making their First Division debut, but although I don't know much about them I'm sure Neale Cooper will have them well organised and up for the game.
"I've been driving into my players that the first two months of the season are the most important and, although it will be a tough game, we know what we have to do."
United will be without defenders David Craig and Mark Campbell, but should hand debuts to former Hibs trio John Hughes, Pat McGinlay and Paul Lovering as well as ex-Dundee pair Eddie Annand and James Grady.
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Ross County, despite finishing the game with only nine players, showed enough against a star-studded Ayr United side to suggest that they will hold their own in the First Division this season.
County boss Neale Cooper was full of praise for the men who battled bravely for 70 minutes after former Don Brian Irvine was red-carded for giving away the penalty which led to the only goal of the game.
Cooper said: "The fact that we created more chances than Ayr United in the first half, even after Brian was ordered off, shows just how much the rest of the lads dug in.
"We were punished twice in effect as not only was Brian shown the red-card for what the referee adjudged as a last-man challenge, but they also scored from the resultant penalty kick.
"I would like to thank the big support who made the journey down from Dingwall to cheer us on and I'm sure they would agree that the lads worked their socks off for the whole game.
"Our whole pre-match preparation was thrown out of the window with that early sending-off and it was even more disappointing because no one even claimed for a penalty-kick at the time.
"John Fraser was also red-carded for supposedly aiming a kick at an Ayr player.
"I was in the stand and didn't see anything, but I'll be watching the TV on Sunday and if that was the case he will be disciplined internally.
"This game proves that if you do create chances in this league you really have to take them.
"Once again, Kenny Gilbert did really well for us in what was a new experience for us all, and to lose by the only goal away to one of the favorites to take the title was not that bad a result, especially with only 10 men for most of the match."
Referee Clyde penalised Irvine for a 20th minute tackle on former Dundee winger James Grady and Eddie Annand stepped up to send Nicky Walker the wrong way form the spot.
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Ross County must get over the disappointment of that narrow defeat at Ayr United when they play host to full-time Third Division outfit Albion Rovers in the CIS League Cup tonight.
County manager Neale Cooper revealed that one of those red-carded on Saturday is available for tonight.
Cooper said: "Thankfully, Brian Irvine is not suspended for this one but John Fraser, who was sent off late on at Ayr, misses out.
"We would be expected to win this one against a side from a lower division but in days gone by the boot has been on the other foot and we will have to be wary, especially as they are now a full-time team.
"We need to be switched on right from the start, be positive and have a go at them as they'll be looking to spring a surprise."
Albion boss John McVeigh's young squad left Cliftonhill yesterday for an overnight stop en-route to Dingwall.
Before leaving, McVeigh said: "We're now a full-time side although most of our squad are youngsters. We will have a training session before heading north for what I expect to be a tough game.
"We threw everything but the kitchen sink at East Fife on Saturday and although they sneaked an injury time winner, it was an excellent overall performance from ourselves.
"However, we need to get it right against Ross County but we go in as underdogs with nothing to lose."
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Ross County could face a race against time to field a side against Clyde in tomorrow's First Division game.
Several of the Dingwall squad, including Alex Bone, Darren Henderson, Craig Taggart and manager Neale Cooper, were sent home to bed as a precaution after training yesterday, suffering from flu symptoms.
However, assistant manager Gordon Chisholm believes they have managed to contain the outbreak and is hopeful that most, if not all, of County's walking wounded could be available for the Clyde match.
Chisholm said: "There's definitely a bug going about the place as I'm just recovering from a bout of the flu myself. A few of the lads have been feeling a bit under the weather but, hopefully, we've managed to isolate them and they'll be feeling much better by Saturday."
Chisholm was delighted by County's plum CIS League Cup home second round draw against Premier League side St Mirren.
He said: "It really is a cracker for both the team and the fans although all we really wanted was a home tie. It's really something to look forward to and there's bound to be a big build-up for this one.
"They will probably view us as a potential banana skin, but in all honesty there's little to choose between the bottom of the Premier and the First Division as they well know."
Chisholm added: "We played Dundee United up here a couple of seasons ago and beat them so I'm sure we'll get our sleeves rolled up for this one and get stuck in to them."
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Ross County will be looking for swift revenge for last Saturday's 2-0 defeat at the hands of high-flying Second Division rivals Clyde when the pair clash again at Victoria Park tonight in the first round of the Bell's League Challenge Cup.
County manager Neale Cooper revealed last night that his horrific injury list is as long as ever.
He said: "Darren Henderson is still struggling with the 'flu bug as is Craig Taggart, while Frank Escalon came off on Saturday complaining he had the same symptoms. In addition, George Shaw and Paul Kinnaird are still suffering from knocks and are out.
"Kenny Gilbert is suspended, but happily Brian Irvine is now free from suspension. Derek Holmes picked up a head knock on Saturday and we will have a look at him to see if he will make it."
Cooper added: "We're certainly looking to reverse Saturday's result. Clyde are a big physical side, but they don't change their style, playing the ball long and supporting their front players.
"However, you can hurt then in some areas of the park and that's what we hope to do tomorrow night."
The County boss revealed that he is looking to strengthen his squad in the near future. He said: "I hope to strengthen in the wide areas of the park, allowing us to get a good supply of crosses to the strikers."
Meanwhile, Clyde have fitness doubts of their own with both Barry Sellars and free-scoring striker Adam Proudlock, on loan from Wolves, carrying knocks and as a precaution they add John Barratt and former Morton midfield duo Craig McPherson and Chris Aitken to the travelling squad.
Bully Wee coach Brian Rice said: "We were very happy with a win at Dingwall and especially to keep a cleansheet last Saturday and the fact that Adam Proudlock has been finding the target regularly has been a big help to the confidence of the side.
"We're confident of coming up and winning again on an excellent playing surface that suits our style of play."
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Darlington could again prove a happy hunting ground for Ross County manager Neale Cooper.
Just over a year ago, County pulled in a club record £250,000 transfer fee from Aston Villa for striker Neil Tarrant, who turned up at Victoria Park as an unknown trialist after he was freed by Darlington.
Now Cooper is looking at another ex-Darlington teenager in 18-year-old striker Michael Carter, who is currently training with County.
"Michael's a different type of player to Neil Tarrant, who caught my eye very quickly when I saw him training here," said Cooper, who will decide whether to offer the teenager a contract at the end of this week.
"He'll be here for the rest of the week and I'll take a long and careful look at him to see whether he has the sort of promise which could make him a useful addition to our squad."
The County manager was happy with his side's 2-1 Bell's League Challenge Cup first-round win over Clyde on Tuesday night, but confessed he would happily have traded that victory for three points in the league clash between the pair.
Cooper said: "We could and maybe should have beaten them up here on Saturday to chalk up our first league points, but nobody is getting too carried away by the fact that we're still looking for our first points.
County's progress has been hampered by illness and injuries which look likely to keep Paul Kinnaird, John Fraser, Craig Taggart and Darren Henderson out of the reckoning for this weekend's trip to tackle Raith Rovers at Stark's Park.
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Ross County have won the race against time to have their splendid new 1,600-seat West stand ready for tonight's glamour CIS League Cup second-round tie against Premier League new boys St Mirren (7.30).
County chairman Roy MacGregor said last night: "Apart from a little bit of painting, the new concourses in the stand are finished and we would request our fans to come early tomorrow night and get settled into the new facility well before the kick-off.
"We believe St Mirren are taking between 500 and 1,000 supporters with them, so there should be a tremendous atmosphere."
County manager Neale Cooper is looking to continue the Dingwall side's famous cup tradition.
Cooper said: "It's great to see a Premier League club coming to Dingwall, especially as we have done well in this competition in recent years. I expect Tom Hendrie to have Saints really well organised and they will be on a high after a great victory against Dundee on Saturday.
"Our postponed game against Raith Rovers at Kirkcaldy on Saturday has worked in our favour. Several of the lads might have played at Stark's Park with wee niggles and now everyone has reported fit and well, with the exception of Paul Kinnaird, who will face a late fitness test, and Darren Henderson, who is definitely out."
Cooper added: "We know we will have to be at our best as we have not been firing on all cylinders. We will have a go."
St Mirren manager Hendrie admits there is a down side to life in the Premier League – when every other team wants to prove a point against the top-flight clubs.
Hendrie feels County will be desperate to take a Premier League scalp.
And the Saints boss should know. Saints gave Aberdeen a torrid time in the Tennent's Scottish Cup last year, holding the eventual finalists to a 1-1 draw in the third round, before the then First Division side lost the replay 1-0.
He said: "We are a Premier League side now and no doubt they will be looking to take a Premier League scalp.
"This is what we have to watch out for because this has happened a lot in the cups and Premier League teams can find themselves out of the competition early on.
"We've traditionally never done well in trips to the North and we know that County came close to knocking Dundee United out of the competition last year, so we'll be taking nothing for granted."
Goals from Ricky Gillies and Steven McGarry against Dundee on Saturday gave Saints their first Premier League points and Hendrie believes the way the team played was just as encouraging as the result.
Hendrie could be without influential midfielder Ian Ross, who is the only serious injury doubt, with a strain. He added: "The result at the weekend was very important for us. Not only did we win, we also played very well, which is important, and the lads can take that into this game."
Meanwhile, the First Division match between Raith Rovers and Ross County, which was washed out by heavy rain at Stark's Park on Saturday, has been rescheduled for Saturday, September 2.
County's Bell's Challenge Cup second-round tie against Livingston tie is at Victoria Park a week today.
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Ross County could hand teenage trialist Stuart King a starting berth against Steve Archibald's Airdrie at Victoria Park this afternoon – provided the Dingwall club can agree a loan deal with Preston North End.
Ross boss Neale Cooper said: "I like what I've seen of the lad this week and his ability to play wide on either flank would give us extra attacking options, especially at home where the onus is on us to take the game to our opponents."
King is one of a couple of possible stand-ins if Craig Taggart fails a morning fitness test on his injured ankle, with John McQuade, who came off the bench to good effect against St Mirren in midweek, also in the frame for a starting berth.
The County boss had Airdrie watched at Caledonian Stadium in midweek, when the Diamonds beat Caley Thistle 2-0 in the CIS League Cup, and he expects Archibald's men to be a handful.
He said: "Calderon and Fernandez appear to be very influential players.
"This is an Airdrie side which is now beginning to gel, but we will be looking to make the most of home advantage because it is vital we pick up points at Victoria Park."
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Ross County earned their first point in the First Division as manager Neale Cooper was thrilled by the skill of 32-year-old Spaniard Antonio Calderon.
Cooper said of the Diamonds star: "I reckon that's the first time in my football career that I've witnessed the home fans applauding a goal from the opposition. Calderon especially, but also Fernandez, were different class. Calderon's skills were fantastic and I certainly wouldn't mind someone with his undoubted talents in my side.
"However, it wasn't all about Airdrie as I'm delighted to get that first point on the board. Our lads did really well and it was an encouraging performance, especially as we finished with only 10 men having already committed our three substitutes when Alex Bone went off suffering from dehydration. I thought that Nicky Walker was magnificent in goal – not only for a wonder save similar to that Gordon Banks one from Pele in the 1970 World Cup – but also for his sheer professionalism and general play which inspired the rest of the lads.
"In addition, I thought that both Ian Maxwell and Eddie Cunnington were also tremendous, although Airdrie taught us a real lesson in how to gain possession of the ball and keep it."
Cooper added: "It was disappointing to lose Derek Holmes so early on with a knee knock but we battled on and managed to match Airdrie in most departments."
Airdrie chief Steve Archibald said: "Calderon's contribution to the goal was breathtaking. It was a good game of football – physical, but played in a good spirit. We created quite a few clear chances and held a lot of possession but failed to convert it into a victory. But I'll settle for a draw rather than defeat because a draw at the end of the season can make all the difference."
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Ross County midfielder Marc Millar will be doing all he can in tonight's Bell's Challenge Cup match with Livingston at Dingwall to make sure he remains the boo-boy of the Lions support.
Millar quit Livingston last season after a public fall-out with fans and he knows that he will be in for a rough ride at Victoria Park tonight.
Millar said: "If I get a bit of stick from their fans then it will mean that I have done all right on the pitch. Even if we beat them they will still have another four opportunities to have a go at me in the league.
"As far as I'm concerned, the Livingston situation is behind me and all I'm concentrating on is doing well with Ross County.
"Livingston are up there with Ayr United as favourites for the title – and rightly so after the calibre of player they have brought in over the summer.
"We have done all right this season ourselves but we still need to get one or two victories behind us. In cup competition anything can happen.
"We were unlucky against St Mirren because when we scored we looked like we were going to win the game but a double deflection got them back into the game. We'll be looking for a bit more luck against Livingston."
County have Derek Holmes and Darren Henderson out.
County boss Neale Cooper said: "It will be a difficult game because they will be full of confidence after their 6-0 victory on Saturday.
"Livingston have spent a lot of money and they seem to be going for it big guns so it should be a good test.
"We are still looking to bring in a couple of players ourselves but a lot of clubs are reluctant to let players go at the moment because of injury and suspension."
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