ROSS COUNTY FOOTBALL CLUB


News from Ross County's 2000-2001 Campaign: March


INDEX

  1. 1/3: Cooper Is Grateful For The Call
  2. 2/3: MacGregor Is Delighted For Cooper
  3. 3/3: Cooper Has His Say
  4. 10/3: Cooper Is Worried About His Players' Fitness
  5. 20/3: Ross Start The Long Haul
  6. 27/3: County Sign Prest

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COOPER IS GRATEFUL FOR THE CALL

Ross County manager Neale Cooper has thanked Morton for calling off their First Division clash early in the day yesterday.

And the reason for Cooper's gesture is that the last time the Dingwall side travelled to Cappielow, the team bus had reached Stirling before County were told the game was off.

Blizzard conditions have already caused massive fixture disruption this week with most games falling foul of the weather.

County were informed yesterday morning that the game would not go ahead due to a frozen pitch at Cappielow.

Cooper said: "I'm so glad Morton called the game off early this time, because the last time we had reached Stirling before we found out the game was off.

"It was annoying having to turn back after coming all that way.

"We couldn't get a hold of anyone at Morton on that occasion and kept travelling.

"We had a bus all planned yesterday, but I got a call at 10.30am."

Cooper was forced to call the players in for training which, due to the snow, was held inside Alness Sports Centre.

County will now have to play Ally Maxwell's side twice in less than a week.

They entertain Morton at Victoria Park on Saturday, weather permitting, and their match due to be played last night will now take place next Tuesday.

Cooper said: "We have to play them twice in a short time and we know it will be difficult. We just want to get back playing again."

The good news for County fans is that defender Ian Maxwell could shake off a problem with his left foot in time for Saturday.

He would have definitely missed out on last night's match and although he is still a doubt for Saturday, the break gives him a chance.

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MacGREGOR IS DELIGHTED FOR COOPER

Ross County chairman Roy MacGregor last night expressed his delight at the work of Neale Cooper after he was named Bell's Division 1 manager of the month for February.

County played only two matches during the month, but the performances included a rousing showing against Rangers in the Scottish Cup.

The Dingwall club went down 3-2 on the night but earned the respect of many after recovering from two goals down to draw level with the holders.

Cooper's side also recorded an impressive 4-0 victory at Raith Rovers in the league.

MacGregor believes the award is richly deserved and is a reward for the effort Cooper has put in this season as County have established themselves in the league.

MacGregor said: "I am delighted as he has worked hard for this club.

"We gave a good account of ourselves during the Rangers match and we also had a good results in the league at Raith.

"We have not had a league game since December 9 and for the fans and the players it has been a frustrating time.

"I think Neale is finding his feet in this division. We started the season with roughly the same players as we had in the Second Division and we discovered we were a bit short.

"Neale looked at the situation and has brought in some extra quality and made the necessary adjustments."

County's Alex Bone scored twice against Rangers in Dingwall but he narrowly missed out on the Bell's player of the month title with Martin Hardie of Partick Thistle taking the award.

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COOPER HAS HIS SAY

Bell's First Division manager of the month Neale Cooper would gladly hand his trophy back to still be in the Tennents Scottish Cup.

Cooper will be spending another Saturday on the training ground with his players after County's home game against Morton was postponed following a pitch inspection yesterday.

The County boss won his award on the strength of two outstanding performances from his players last month – one of them a 4-0 rout of Raith Rovers at Stark's Park.

But that was followed by a 3-2 defeat by holders Rangers in a sell-out Scottish Cup tie at Victoria Park which captivated the imagination of a nationwide TV audience.

And as Cooper nursed the new piece of silverware which now adorns his Victoria Park office, he admitted: "I'd give this back if it meant we could be in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup.

"Thousands of our fans, me included, were trying to suck Brian's Irvine's late header over the goalline to earn us a replay, but Scott Wilson managed to get there to make sure that didn't happen.

"But, joking aside, the award is a credit to the whole club and it is our reward for the positive way we set out to play every time we go into a game."

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COOPER IS WORRIED ABOUT HIS PLAYERS' FITNESS

Ross County manager Neale Cooper admits he is worried his players' lack of match practice will be evident at Victoria Park when his side entertains Falkirk in the First Divison today.

Cooper, whose side was last in action three weeks ago against Rangers, said: "We have only been able to train on grass for the last three days but our groundsman has made a magnificent job of the playing surface here and it should be in great condition for the Falkirk game.

"We have had two really good games against them this season. They beat us up here and we beat them down there so it's all set up for an excellent afternoon's entertainment for the fans.

"Match fitness is a bit of a worry as we've been out of action for three weeks but I'm sure we'll be as professional as ever.

"We will give big Ian Maxwell a late fitness test on his injured leg. When he first went down in training we suspected a stress fracture and a possible six-week lay-off but, thankfully, he may land up not missing a game.

"Frenchman Frank Escalon is also added to the squad after recovering from a calf injury."

As Falkirk manager Alex Totten travelled north with his squad yesterday he revealed he too will have a couple of late fitness tests.

Totten said: "John Henry has an ankle knock and centre half Steven Rennie has a bit of a groin strain so they will both undergo late tests.

"We have had a couple of good games against Ross County this season and I expect another one this time as they are a very experienced side."

County also received a boost today with the news that tough-tackling midfielder Kenny Gilbert will make a full recovery following a retina transplant operation.

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ROSS START THE LONG HAUL

Ross County will put their stop-start winter schedule behind them when they entertain Clyde at Victoria Park tonight (KO 7.30).

County have played fewer games than any other First Division side due to bad-weather postponements.

Now, after a football famine, the Dingwall fans are facing an action feast as their team attempt to play catch-up with a packed programme.

Ross have a home game against Alloa on Saturday on a day when the majority of teams in the country will be taking a day off due to Scotland's World Cup qualifier against Belgium at Hampden.

After seeing his training programme ruined by the weather, Ross boss Neale Cooper is now facing a different problem as his players prepare for a rigorous spell of games. Cooper said: "With so many games coming up it's important we keep the players fresh so we've been concentrating on light training and ball work."

He is expecting a tough game from the Bully Wee but has been boosted by his side's recent good form, including Saturday's 1-1 draw at Falkirk.

Cooper said: "You can't always get a 4-1 win like we had done previously and the conditions on Saturday were difficult so the boys deserve credit for getting the draw.

"Now we have to turn our attention to Clyde and it will be a difficult game for us. There's never much between the two teams. They are a strong side and had a good result on Saturday against Ayr when they came back from two goals down so we know they will be hard to beat."

County will be at full strength for tonight's match, with the exception of long-term absentees Marc Millar and Kenny Gilbert.

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COUNTY SIGN PREST

Ross County could hand Argentinian former Airdrie midfielder Martin Prest an immediate debut against First Division leaders Livingston at Almondvale tonight (KO 7.30pm).

Ross County manager Neale Cooper signed 22-year-old Prest up from Airdrie yesterday to strengthen his squad after the 3-2 home defeat by Alloa on Saturday.

The player arrived in Dingwall on Sunday and Cooper yesterday signed him up until the end of the season after watching Prest in action on the training ground.

Cooper said: "I have inquired about Martin on a number of occasions this season because he has impressed me immensely every time I've watched him in a First Division game.

"We've had to wait for a couple of weeks until the situation at Airdrie was resolved but, with the new owners now in charge, we have finally been able to bring Martin here.

"He is a strong, quick, left-sided player who gets forward at every opportunity and I'm sure our fans will love his style of football and take to him quickly.

"We have a gruelling schedule coming up and he will have the chance to stake his claim to a long-term deal in the next few weeks."

Cooper has urged his players to recover quickly from Saturday's shock defeat by making sure they do not leave Almondvale empty-handed tonight.

He said: "I spoke to the players after the game on Saturday and we all agreed that we had let ourselves down.

"I'm looking for them to bounce back by getting another run started at Livingston's expense.

"At times on Saturday we played very well, particularly in the first half, and we have to get back to putting out consistent 90-minute performances again."

County are without suspended centre half Ian Maxwell after his dismissal against Alloa and Maxwell's regular central defensive partner Brian Irvine is an injury doubt.

Cooper said: "Brian is suffering from Saturday's groin injury and is experiencing some discomfort. He has gone to hospital to make sure he's okay.

He looks very doubtful for the trip to Livingston and it would be a big blow for us if we were to lose both of our two central defenders because they add height and presence.

Every manager has to contend with injuries but I'm sure the players who come in will do well."

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