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A proud and contented Neale Cooper refuses to view his born-again Ross County side as safe from relegation worries despite thundering into third place in the First Division on the strength of a 10-game unbeaten run.
The County boss is deter-mined that his players will produce more of the same and not let their focus slip in the remaining five outings of the season. Cooper, who spoke in glowing terms about his play-ers after the stylish Airdrie victory, knows that a mere seven points separate County from the relegation zone with 15 still up for grabs.
He stressed: “We’re not safe yet, but I will say we are in a far better position than we were only a matter of weeks ago.
“The players deserve every credit. Airdrie are chasing the top place and have plenty of quality despite their problems. They are very strong, par-ticularly in their attack.
“But over the last 10 games this club has been an absolute pleasure to manage. It’s a great record – six wins and four draws – and the players are giving everything for the club in every game now.”
Cooper hinted at the importance of the weeding out job he did on certain players earlier in the season – partly motivated by the tightening of finances, but also by a sense that some were not as committed as others in the camp.
He added, “We now have boys who fight for everything and want to do it for each other, for the club and for the supporters.
“The spirit is incredible in the dressing room, and the players are training with a smile on their faces and can’t wait for matches to come around.
“We won’t be thinking too much about being third in the table.
“It doesn’t mean a huge amount at this stage with five games still to go and all the teams so tight together.
“We just want to go as far as we can go and keep this run going.”
Cooper did admit to being unhappy with the team’s first half performance against a strong wind.
He pointed out, “Words were said at half-time. It was a hard game and the breeze made it difficult, but the first half display wasn’t good enough.
“Players who have been playing well recently, like Kenny Gilbert, weren’t at their best – but there was a major improvement after half-time.”
County need no motivation for Saturday’s trip south, with title-seeking Partick Thistle ready to provide an indication of just how far the side has come.
Steven Hislop, sent off against Inverness Caledonian Thistle, will be available again and could partner Mark McCormick after his fine two-goal show against Airdrie.
Cooper said, “Mark McCormick knows he hasn’t always done as well as he could at this club, but I know he is capable of it.
“I saw something in training before the game when he was partnering Alex Bone and I decided to throw him in.
“And he came in and gave us exactly what we needed.”
County are also looking at an Australian winger who was on the books of Dutch giants Ajax. Nicky Kyper, a wide player capable of plying either flank, is training with the Dingwall side this week and is likely to be on the bench again as a trialist at Firhill.
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Ian Maxwell admits Ross County’s relegation battlers are fighting for more than just First Division survival – their very futures are at stake.
The influential defender knows a fair number of the Dingwall squad are out of contract at the end of the season, with club directors not surprisingly unwilling to renew deals until the financial risk of dropping a division has lifted.
Maxwell, who is understood to be one of the players up for contract re-negotiation this summer, believes County’s survival this term could lead to a much more fruitful campaign next season if the current squad is kept together.
Speaking before Tuesday’s 4-1 win at home to Airdrie brought safety closer to realisation, Maxwell stressed, “A lot of the Ross County players’ contracts are up in the summer, so it is obviously in everybody’s interests to keep the club in this division.
"There is more chance for everyone to stay on at the club if we are playing First Division football. But I don’t think it is an unsettling time for the players.
“The club is rightly looking at it as a situation where they can’t make any decisions about new deals until we know what division we are going to be in – and what that means financially.
“But I don't think the boys are worrying about it. We are just getting on with trying to win every game and, with the run of nine games unbeaten, we are playing our best football of the season now.
“If we can keep the boys who are out of contract together, you have got to think that on current form we could be up there challenging next season.”
Maxwell’s team-mate Steven Hislop was fined this week by County boss Neale Cooper after his dismissal against Caley Thistle, but Maxwell pointed out, “It was a silly offence by Steven, rather than a nasty one.
“Everyone knows nowadays you can’t raise your hands at an opponent.
“We were actually a bit annoyed that the initial foul was given, but once the referee has made up his mind he is not going to change it.
“Hislop should have walked away and to do that was costly for us. But he knows himself it was foolish – he is upset about it.
“Given that we went down to 10 men, we’ve got to be content with a point but it might have been better.
“Our first half performance against Caley was probably the best we have played at Caledonian Stadium since I came to the club.
“We’ve got to maintain it in the final stages of the season.”
County boss Neale Cooper couldn’t conceal his anger at Hislop, stressing, “Steven did something stupid and let down the team – we are all angry with him.
“It wasn’t nasty, but you simply can’t raise a hand in the modern game and expect to get away with it.
“He is upset because he knows himself he let us down. I will definitely take action and fine him.
“To be fair, Steven’s opener was terrific but I’d love to know where the free kick leading to their goal came from.
“There wasn’t even a Caley appeal for it.”
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Ross County manager Neale Cooper has picked up the Bell's First Division manager of the month award for March.
County are currently enjoying an 11-game unbeaten run and Cooper acknowledges that everyone at Victoria Park deserved to share the award.
He said: "I'm obviously delighted to have been given this award, but it's really a testament to all the hard work that has gone in here since the turn of the year.
"The coaching staff and the players all sat down and talked over where we wanted the club to go in the new year and we're really pleased that we're now sitting in third place in the First Division.
"We've gone 11 games undefeated and there's a great team spirit about the club at the moment and, hopefully, we can maintain our form and finish as high up the table as we can."
He added: "When the weather was so bad at the turn of the year, and we were frequently having games postponed, we decided that we should adopt a more adventurous approach and press-on in future games. We decided that if we lost three goals then we would go on and score four at the other end.
"But, as it has turned out, our defence has been playing superbly and we now have one of the best defensive record in our division.
"Our unbeaten run coincides with Kenny Gilbert's return to action after more than a season out with an eye injury but, while that has certainly helped us pick up the momentum, all the hard work by everyone at the club is the deciding factor."
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Ross County’s clash with Falkirk is set to assume a cup final atmosphere at Victoria Park on Saturday with First Division safety the prize for a home victory.
The incentive could hardly be greater for a set of players who have emerged from deep mid-season doldrums to thrill their supporters with a run of 11 games unbeaten.
Victory would lift the Dingwall side 11 points above the Bairns, with only nine points to play for – leaving both Alex Totten’s side and Raith Rovers unable to catch them.
The scenario, which also sees County chasing what would be a remarkable third place finish, is a far cry from what might have been anticipated amid the disjointed displays of earlier in the season.
On the back of recent impressive results, it is easy to forget this is a team that started the campaign with six defeats and two draws in the first eight away outings.
They also went the whole of a miserable November without a win before, arguably, being spared by the onset of rain and snow that wrecked the fixture card in two lengthy spells.
After three weeks without a game over Christmas and New Year, the turning point came with a good draw at St Mirren before a decent performance in the 1-0 defeat at home to league leaders Partick.
The revival was well and truly underway the following week when, lifted by the return of Kenny Gilbert’s midfield grit and control, Neale Cooper’s side thrashed Falkirk 4-1 at Brockville and Raith 4-2 at home.
Since then there have been ad-mirable draws away at Ayr and Partick at the weekend, as the goals and attacking football have flowed.
There will be no room for sympathy for the Bairns – ironically the side first on the receiving end of a revitalised County back in early February – as they struggle to avoid one of the worst moments in their club history.
Defeat this weekend wouldn’t consign them to the drop in itself, but should they lose and St Mirren win at Arbroath, Totten’s men would be left teetering on the brink.
County, for their part, have perhaps enjoyed longer unbeaten runs in less demanding seasons in Divisions Two and Three. But given the current level of competition, their present hot streak of form is undoubtedly their finest since joining the Scottish League.
Manager Neale Cooper, who is bracing his players for a tough game against Falkirk, said: "I can’t praise my players enough for the last 11 games unbeaten, but Saturday is another big one – although we say that every week.
"Falkirk are fighting for their lives and that will make them even more dangerous than usual.
"They have good young players and on their day can make it very difficult for us.
"But there is a great deal of confidence in our camp just now and the players can’t wait for Saturday afternoon."
County will be close to full strength with young Irish defender Sean Webb making his way back after injury.
But Martin Canning will miss the game through injury, and striker Steve Hislop is suspended.
Cooper is looking for the supporters to turn out in good numbers again and help his players win through.
He said: "The fans have been fantastic recently and I think the players have appreciated that and taken a tremendous lift from it.
"This is our second last home game of the season, so it would be tremendous if they rallied behind us in numbers for what could be a big day for the club.
"Whatever happens, the players won’t be letting up until the end of the season and we just want to win as many games as possible and finish as high as possible.
"In fact, given the way it has been going for us, the players don’t really want the season to end."
Cooper was understandably proud of the performance that won a point away to champions-elect Partick Thistle.
He said: "It was always going to be tough with Partick going for the championship – they have one of the best home records in the league.
"The surface was really fiery and the ball bobbled about a lot and, while it wasn’t a great first half for us, we improved after the break.
"Hugh Robertson’s goal from the free kick was something else – he does that sort of thing for fun in training, but not often in matches."
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Ross County have recalled winger Steven McKay from his loan spell at Elgin City.
McKay, 20, will be given his chance to impress when Falkirk visit Dingwall today.
County boss Neale Cooper has received good reports on the player and is keen to see if his experience at Elgin has served him well for First Division football.
Cooper said: "From what I've heard, Steven has been doing well at Elgin and I know Alex Caldwell is disappointed we have recalled him.
"He is a good, solid left-sided player and I'm keen to see how much he has improved after getting regular football at Elgin."
Cooper admits he feels for Alex Totten and his Falkirk side - who are facing an uphill battle to avoid relegation.
He said: "I've said before there are no easy games in this league and I'm sure this game will be even harder as Falkirk are fighting for their lives.
"I know how Alex Totten will be feeling as we were down at the bottom not that long ago and it is a very difficult position from which to extract yourself.
"Falkirk need maximum points from their remaining games to have any chance of staying up and they will battle for every ball here. It will be real do-or-die stuff, I'm sure.
"But I've stressed to my players the importance of securing our own future in the First Division and it is vital we don't slip up at home. We want to finish as high up the league as possible and it would be nice to extend our unbeaten run to the end of the season."
Steve Hislop misses the game due to suspension, while Martin Canning is injured. His place will be taken by Sean Webb, who came on a substitute in last Saturday's 1-1 draw at Partick Thistle.
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Ross County are understood to be ready to open negotiations with at least seven first team players who will otherwise be free to leave in the summer.
Having sealed their First Division status in some style at the weekend, Neale Cooper will sit down with chairman Roy MacGregor and directors to discuss the club’s budget for the next campaign.
Cooper, who hinted at slight concerns over the situation after the Falkirk game, is sure to press for the majority of his squad to stay after a blistering undefeated run stretching back to February 2.
The club, which can still finish third in the division — a scenario deemed unlikely less than three months ago — must weigh up the continuing strains on finances throughout Scottish football with the desire to build on a remarkable turn of fortunes.
Cooper, addressing the subject after the 4-2 win over Falkirk, said: "I would say it (contracts) is definitely a priority now.
"That subject has hardly been spoken about and I don’t think there has been a player spoken to, and it must be done now, although I’m sure the directors and chairman know that.
"They wanted to wait to see which division we’d be in before taking these decisions and I understand that.
"I’d love it if the majority of the team was still together next season, but that’s got to be looked at in the next couple of weeks.
"I think seven are out of contract and they’ve definitely earned the right to stay. It’s just down to what money is available."
Club captain Steve Ferguson, who scored the fourth goal against Falkirk, echoed Cooper’s call for the squad to be kept together.
He said: "If I was the gaffer I think I would go all out to retain every player who is at the club. With another year together, this squad can achieve a lot.
"Back at Christmas people were writing us off. I understand that — we weren’t playing well.
"But we still had the belief in the changing room and now, after 12 games unbeaten, and a lot of great victories, the form of the side is terrific.
"In this division, that sort of form is frightening and I think the players are seeking nothing less than third place this season.
"The gaffer told us to view the last four games as a mini-league and we want to keep winning until the end of the season.
"Hopefully, in the next campaign, we can build on it and take it further."
Cooper revealed that he took a softly, softly approach with his players after a disappointing first half display against the Bairns.
Trailing 2-1 at the break, Cooper might have let rip at the players in the past, but he admitted: "I thought they looked nervous at the back from the start and although we did create chances, Falkirk counter-attacked well.
"At half-time I told the boys they were a lot better than they were showing. There was no shouting — maybe in the past I have tended to go a bit mad with them, but we just talked quietly about their performances.
"I said to them to relax and enjoy the game and I’m glad to say they put on that show in the second half. Four goals was very convincing.
"I thought Brian Irvine was superb in an attacking role and caused them no end of problems.
"But then he moved back to shore up the defence which was a little shaky at that time and that paved the way for us to get balls behind them with a bit of pace."
Cooper has set his players the target of winning their remaining three games in the chase with Ayr United for a third place finish.
Midfielder Martin Canning should be fit and striker Steven Hislop available for the trip to Arbroath.
Cooper stressed: "We are treating the last games as a mini-league and seeing how high we can finish. There won’t be any letting up.
"The players are keen to go to Arbroath and win because they have struggled there earlier in the season — in fact we haven’t beaten them all season.
"But it is very satisfying to know we are safe in the league — that was the target at the start of the season and anything more was a bonus.
"This has been the tightest league I have ever been involved in."
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Neale Cooper knows a win for his side at home to Ayr United today would guarantee a third place finish in the First Division.
The Dingwall side is undefeated in 13 matches and Cooper would love to extend that run this afternoon.
If you'd told Cooper midway through the season that County would be finishing in third place, he admits he would have laughed heartily.
It has been a remarkable turnaround for the Highlanders, who teetered near the foot of the table for the first two thirds of the season.
And Cooper says that victory against Ayr would be no less than his players deserve for their hard work and commitment.
He said: "It's been an amazing run we've been on and, hopefully, we can continue and possibly finish third.
"If someone had said earlier in the season that we'd be in this position now I would probably have laughed.
"But the boys have worked so hard and they deserve all the credit which comes their way.
"We have gone a third of the season undefeated, but we know Ayr are a strong side.
"Whoever wins will finish third and that's a real carrot for us. Earlier in the season we were just hoping to survive."
Cooper will sit down with the board next week to discuss the financial situation at the club and discover what money he has available to offer out-of-contract players new deals.
He said: "I don't know what the score is yet but, obviously, there are a lot of boys I will have to speak to because they are out of contract.
"It will depend on what the finances are like, but I would like to keep the backbone of this team."
The summer is expected to be a buyers' market due to the current financial climate in Scottish football and County are almost certain to lose some of their squad.
Conor Gethins is the only absentee for County this afternoon. The Eire under-19 international is struggling with a groin injury.
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A Ross County board meeting tomorrow (Friday) is likely to spark a 'frenzy of activity' next week as the club tries to consolidate its squad for next season.
Club chief executive Alastair Kennedy admitted there had been little progress in determining the futures of at least seven out of contract players. But he indicated that this was less a sign of any breakdown in talks than an indication that negotiations are yet to commence.
Kennedy conceded: "We’re mulling over the situation and haven’t progressed too much. But at least we are now able to drive it forward having confirmed our First Division status.
"We are definitely looking to get the various contract issues sorted as soon as we can.
"It is true to say the current climate of uncertainty in Scottish football might just assist in speeding up the process.
"I think we all (players and club) want to get to the situation of being clear on what is happening in the next couple of weeks.
"Indeed, it is fair to say there may be a frenzy of activity probably next week as a direct result of a board meeting on Friday. Finances will be top of the agenda."
It is no secret that County, while riding on a wave of optimism after a captivating run of 13 games undefeated, are still battling to reduce costs. Kennedy made it clear the club was likely to seek a bolstering of first team resources from within its own youth ranks, rather than from among the hordes of players expected to be looking for full-time clubs this summer.
The failure of SPL TV and a continuing uncertain climate in the First Division will lead to reduced squad sizes ahead of next season and the quality of player available on the market is likely to rise.
But the chief executive stressed: "I don’t think Ross County is particularly in the market for new players.
"We want to keep the current nucleus of our squad together as we are very pleased with how they have performed this year. We feel if we do that, we can give it a real go next season.
"In saying that, the reality is that if there are areas of the team which require cover, and if we cannot find it from within our existing set-up, then we may have to add to the squad.
"That is something that will be determined by the manager from within whatever budget he has.
"But the main thrust is very much going to be keeping the current squad together."
In saying that, there are sure to be at least several departures. The club will not yet discuss specifics, but gifted duo Martin Prest and Karim Boukraa could well be viewed as costly luxuries given their relative lack of involvement.
Mark McCormick, a wide midfielder who has performed well in spells, is thought to be unsettled and seeking a return to the Central Belt.
Among those out of contract and likely to agree new deals with minimum fuss are veteran Brian Irvine and midfielder Kenny Gilbert. Re-signing Canadian international Richard Hastings and defender Ian Maxwell will also be a top priority for manager Neale Cooper.
It is uncertain which other players have deals expiring, but players like Hugh Robertson, Mark Perry and Steve Ferguson have been among the best performers for the Dingwall side.
They seem vital to the team’s balance and, with Gilbert and Irvine, provide an experienced backbone on which the young players can develop and thrive.
Goalkeeper Tony Bullock has surely vied with Robertson in the club player of the year stakes, while emerging talent Steven Hislop and his fellow youngsters are under contract and coveted.
In saying that, Cooper, while happy to extend the club’s unbeaten run, was less than overjoyed with the standard on show last weekend against Arbroath.
He said: "That has to be one of the worst games I have seen for a long time. I think we had played 65 minutes before we managed to string four passes together.
"I think the only thing we took from it was extending our unbeaten stretch to 13. The performance, though, was utterly rubbish.
"I did think Steven Hislop took his goal well and I was impressed by Brian Irvine’s contribution and that of Tony Bullock.
"But too many others had an off day and Arbroath are no mugs — they work hard for each other and deserve to be where they are in the league."
Cost-cutting remains a priority for County, but Cooper will look at potential new additions if they are of the right quality and can be afforded. The manager feels there will be much more of a buyers’ market for clubs this summer, with a lot of quality players in the market for a club, and demanding less cash, as squads shrink in numbers.
He said: "I think we have let something like 10 players depart through the course of the season to reduce the budget.
"We will have to wait until the summer to look at things. I believe there will be a lot of better quality players available for less money during the close season, as there are going to be a lot of people out of work.
"Previously, coming up north wasn’t always an attractive option to players, but it is possible there will be fewer full-time clubs.
"County have also performed very well in the second half of the campaign, so we might be more capable of attracting them."
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Ross County snapped up Brian Irvine and Kenny Gilbert on new contracts – but were anxiously awaiting the nod from two other first team mainstays.
Defender Ian Maxwell and midfielder Hugh Robertson – arguably County’s best outfield players during the current campaign – were mulling over offers to remain at Victoria Park.
Both have been immense for County in 2001-02, with left-sided Robertson emerging as undeniably the most consistently impressive outfield player of the season.
All players negotiating new deals are facing up to significant wage cuts as the Dingwall club faces up to the realities of football’s currently strained economics.
It is thought the player bonus structure will also be trimmed down.
It is believed County have laid down a deadline of Thursday for agreement from up to seven squad members, including young players, whose deals were due to run out during the close season.
However, manager Neale Cooper warned there would be at least some squad departures.
The influential pair represent, in effect, the final piece of the jigsaw for Cooper who is confident of concluding a deal with versatile Canadian international Richard Hastings.
Martin Canning, Steve McKay and Ryan Dlugonski also face crunch talks.
The likely dispersal of hundreds of out-of-contract footballers this summer appears to have lessened the scope for confrontation over renewed deals at Ross County.
Agreement with Irvine, County’s squad captain, marks a change of heart from the veteran who, during a difficult early season spell had pondered retirement.
However, despite having been dropped before the turn of the year, Irvine battled back and produced a series of fine displays before pledging himself to at least one more year in the First Division.
Gilbert’s success story since the turn of the year is even more incredible, considering he had spent almost three years struggling to overcome a serious eye problem that threatened not only his football career but also his sight.
The former Aberdeen and Hull City ball-winner showed courage in overcoming the odds – and any thoughts of polite sympathy over his performances evaporated quickly as he made an immediate, dramatic impact.
Bringing to County what Neil Lennon has to Celtic, Gilbert has happily embroiled himself in the less glamorous midfield tasks for County – but ones we have quickly realised were being neglected in his absence.
Cooper already has a team backbone under contract including goalkeeper Tony Bullock, defender Mark Perry, skipper Steve Ferguson and promising striker Steven Hislop.
And while admitting the agreement from Gilbert and Irvine was a massive boost to his plans for next season, the Dingwall boss stressed: "We have given Ian Maxwell and Hugh Robertson a couple of days to think over the offers, and hopefully they will re-sign.
"They are very important to Ross County, and I am also hopeful Richard Hastings will be among the players re-signing for the club.
"We have a very good squad nucleus under contract here and these guys will complete the picture.
"Players have had to accept a drop in wages, but I have been frank and open in saying that if any of them can find and decide to accept a better offer elsewhere I will shake their hand and wish them well.
"The main thing for the club is that we would rather know sooner rather than later, and that is why we have laid down a timescale."
County this week parted company with three foreign players – Karim Boukraa, Martin Prest and Cedric Anselin – and one Scot, Mark McCormick.
The first three were deemed surplus to requirements mainly because of the frequency of injuries which rendered them expensive luxuries for a cost-cutting regime.
McCormick, who impressed in spells after signing from Livingston, found it difficult to settle in the Highlands and baulked at the Dingwall club’s policy of insisting players moved permanently to the area.
Players and club directors were teeing up for a golf day together yesterday, with talks likely to be very much on the agenda – whether formally or informally.
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Ross County have pinned back the cost of season tickets for their third campaign in the First Division – but built in a potential Scottish and League Cup bargain.
There are modest rises in the price of briefs for 2002-03, but supporters who pledge themselves to the whole campaign will be able to take in a guaranteed minimum of three home cup ties for the price.
Last season the club was involved in five cup fixtures at Victoria Park including a clash with Old Firm giants Rangers, yet cup games were paid for separately by supporters.
Chief executive Alastair Kennedy said: "There are slight rises in the cost of season tickets, but the cup offer is a potential bargain – assuming, hopefully, we con-tinue to make a good impact in the cups!
"Overall, we have tried to keep the costs much the same for supporters."
Prices: adult stand £180; OAP stand £100; under-18 stand £100; adult ground £150; OAP ground £75; under-18 ground £40; under-12 ground £25. For the family section in the West Stand – adult £160; OAP £90; under-18 £50; under-12 £30.
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