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This article appeared in The Ross-shire Journal on Friday 2 August.
Martin Wood’s hopes of resurrecting his career at Ross County will hinge on his prospective manager’s persuasive powers.
The impressive former Motherwell and Rothes attacker has convinced Neale Cooper that, at only 19, he has the ability to shine in the First Division.
Cooper has been won over by a series of sharp and hungry pre-season displays from Wood, not least against Aberdeen. Complicating matters, however, is the Dingwall club’s trimmed back first team squad budget.
With chairman Roy MacGregor expected back from holiday yesterday, Cooper admitted it would be up to him to talk up the virtues of a promising player who fell foul of Scottish football’s grim cash climate at Motherwell.
Cooper, speaking earlier in the week, said: "I have liked what I’ve seen from Martin and on Wednesday the chairman is back from holiday.
"I will put the case for the player being signed and it is down to whether the money is there or can be found."
Cooper favours playing Wood in behind his strikers, rather than leading the line, so rejects the notion he is already well catered for in the player’s position.
Graham Bayne has arrived as a free transfer from Dundee, after a spell at Arbroath, while Conor Gethin’s return to training after a serious shoulder injury is imminent.
Steven Hislop’s comeback is unlikely to happen until November, at the earliest, but a major boost to the Dingwall side was influential midfielder Hugh Robertson’s resumption of full training earlier this week.
Where the manager appears to see a need for improvement is in the number of goals Ross County score from deeper on the field.
A double from skipper Steve Ferguson in Saturday’s win against Forfar rekindled memories of his free-scoring days in the lower divisions, and it was a theme Cooper warmed to.
"You see a young player like Don Cowie, showing good promise and plenty of ability, but you think he has to maybe chip in with goals as well," the manager said.
"That is an area the midfield as a whole can improve on and, hopefully, Steve Ferguson will show his scoring ability.
"I remember even when I was at Dunfermline, Stevie used to score a lot of goals and he is one player who can double as an out-and-out striker."
As for Alex Bone, Cooper makes no apology for cranking up the pressure ahead of a make-or-break few months for the former St Mirren and Ayr United frontman.
Bone, arguably, has failed to show the kind of instinctive poaching traits that persuaded Cooper to bring him north in the first place - and the manager laid down the gauntlet on Saturday.
He stressed: "Alex knows himself he didn’t show enough for us last season.
"This will be a big season for him, but he has responded with some terrific work in pre-season and is looking sharp.
"Although we have Steven Hislop out injured for three months, there is going to be pressure for places because Conor Gethins should return to training soon.
"Steven McGarry is also looking like a tremendous signing for us. He has great feet, good vision and will score goals. For a guy who isn’t that tall, he is also terrific in the air."
County breathed a sigh of relief as what seemed a serious injury to McGarry after a clash late in the first half turned out to be little more than a bad knock.
The 23 year-old, snatched from under the nose of rivals Caley Thistle in pre-season, was able to take a seat in the stand after fears he had fractured the shin bone subsided.
Cooper confirmed: "Steven took a bad knock but can recover quickly. He maybe hurt a nerve in his leg because it flared up, but he seems to be okay and was back training this week."
County, who set off on the road for the season’s curtain-raiser, will underestimate a determined Arbroath side at their peril.
The Red Lichties were completely written off at the start of last season, but defied the critics with a successful survival act, finishing comfortably clear of the drop.
Cooper added: "We know every game will be tough in this division. There isn’t an easy side in it and Arbroath will be just as determined as us to get off to a good start."
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Conor Gethins is in line to make an unexpected comeback for Ross County in their Bell's Challenge Cup tie at Cowdenbeath tonight (Central Park, Cowdenbeath; KO 7.30pm).
The Republic of Ireland under-19 striker was expected to miss the first month of the season at least after dislocating his shoulder in pre-season training, but the 18-year-old returned to training last week and will feature at Central Park.
County boss Neale Cooper will also have influential midfielder Hugh Robertson available again after the former Aberdeen and Dundee player missed Saturday's 3-0 win at Arbroath.
Cooper said: "I'm delighted both players have recovered so quickly. It looked as if I would be without both players for a while and it's a great boost to have them back and available again."
Cooper's side ended its hoodoo against the Red Lichties in style on Saturday and with confidence high at Dingwall, Cooper is confident his team can progress to the second round.
He said: "Arbroath was an absolute nightmare for us last season but we went to Gayfield and dominated the game. We have been working hard on our passing movements in pre-season and that was the telling factor in our win at the weekend.
"We couldn't buy a win against them last season, but to beat them so comfortably in our opening game was very pleasing and the players have also been lifted after ending their four-game winless streak against them.
"The new players have also settled well and the spirit has remained excellent despite the summer break.
"We played Cowdenbeath last year and it is a very tight pitch at Central Park. We know what to expect going there, but if we play to our strengths then we should win the game."
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Ross County striker Steven McGarry is ready to break the hearts of his family and friends and knock his beloved St Mirren out of the Bell's Challenge Cup.
McGarry only joined the Dingwall club in the summer after spending five years with Saints in Paisley and he is relishing the prospect of meeting up with his former teammates.
But he is warning them he will be doing his utmost to make sure the Saints go marching out of the cup competition.
McGarry has already won over the Victoria Park faithful in his brief spell at the club but he does not know what to expect from the Buddies supporters who will make the trip north on August 20.
McGarry said last night: "I was delighted to hear the draw and it will be interesting to see how I get on against them. I have some inside information for the gaffer about them.
"I always got on well with the St Mirren fans and I was disappointed I had to leave as wanted to play more regularly. I got a lot of letters from the fans who were telling me I should have played more often and that is nice and a vote of confidence.
"I was preparing myself for the league game against them on October 5, but this cup game has come sooner.
"I don't think I have anything to prove to St Mirren - instead I have to prove myself to my new manager. I want Ross County to go and do better things in the future.
"I support St Mirren but now I am a Ross County player and a supporter and I will be doing all I can to get us in the next round."
McGarry knows he will have to face days of jokes but he believes County's recent form will ensure there is only the one winner.
"I have already had a couple of the St Mirren boys on the phone telling me how they are going to thrash us, but that is all part of the fun.
The draw for the Third Round in full: Ross County v St Mirren; Queen of South v Dumbarton; Brechin v Falkirk; and, Berwick v Queen's Park. The ties will be played on Tuesday, August 20.
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Good — but can do better. That was Neale Cooper’s verdict despite declaring himself impressed and heartened by his players’ start to the new season.
Emphasis on attack and flowing football has brought four straight wins for the Dingwall team, but the Ross County manager is convinced his players have much more to offer this season.
A 1-0 victory at Alloa cemented the view that County are shaping up as one of the most potent and consistent forces in the First Division this season. The old cliche of winning — and losing — being a habit in football is one Cooper hopes will ring true in the coming weeks and months.
But he stressed: "At times we played some terrific stuff, while at others it was scrappy, but we have yet to lose a goal and it is good to create that winning habit.
"We knew Alloa were coming in off a 3-0 defeat and would be up for it, and they were. But we matched them in terms of determination and deserved to win it.
"I felt our side strung good passes together and I’m happy with the performance. But I still feel there is better to come from the side — we can play better."
Turning his attention to Saturday’s lengthy league trip to face Ayr United at Somerset Park, Cooper said: "I’m not going to change anything. We will go out and attack and try to win the game at Ayr, although it is a notoriously difficult place to get a result."
Kenny Gilbert is a slight doubt for the trip south after injuring his back in a superb individual midweek performance. Martin Canning, who slotted into defence, was also outstanding, according to the manager. Midfielder Hugh Robertson, who was given a run-out against Fort William in the Inverness Cup last night is still feeling pain in his thigh when he kicks the ball — and will not be risked at Ayr.
Other news and reaction from last Saturday's win over Queen of the South:
Martin Wood will settle for a place on the bench for now — but is determined to make it impossible for manager Neale Cooper to leave him out of a Ross County side.
The former Motherwell striker turned in a fantastic substitute’s display against Queen of the South, with a brilliantly-taken goal capping a fine half hour performance from the 19-year-old.
While Wood admits it is all about patience and waiting for his chance for now, the striker, who started out at Highland League Rothes, has set his sights on creating selection problems for the gaffer.
After feinting past a couple of defenders and bulging the net in injury-time against QOS, Wood spoke of his pleasure at sticking one past former Fir Park team-mate Andy Goram.
"It felt great to finally score against Andy because I could never score against him in training at Motherwell," he admitted.
"It was a nice strike and I really enjoyed the goal — it makes it all the better to beat a keeper of Andy’s calibre. I can’t believe it."
Wood has learned the hard way, that in football you have to take your chances. A seemingly bright career with the SPL club turned sour in the summer as financial pressures forced him to be off-loaded.
With Neale Cooper’s men shaping up as potential title candidates after beating an impressive QOS, competition for places at Victoria Park is intense.
Wood stressed: "I’m just wanting to enjoy my football again, and, after what happened at Motherwell in the summer, its just great to feel part of something.
"I didn’t feel part of things at all at Fir Park and its good to be wanted.
"But I can’t take my place in the team for granted. Its a really competitive squad with good players not managing to get a game and it is really all about patience for me.
"When I do get the chance to show the manager what I can do, it is important for me to make my mark like I did today.
"I don’t mind whether I get a game in midfield, in attack or just behind the strikers — I just want to play.
"The aim is to make it very difficult for the manager to leave me out by taking my chance when I do get a game."
For manager Neale Cooper, the Saturday performance was all the more satisfying given the strength of the QOS showing.
Cooper said: "That was a really professional display from our players and it has been a nice start for us. I was unhappy after the game at Cowdenbeath in the cup where we won through in extra-time.
"But I thought we played some good football out there against a team that impressed me. I believe Queen of the South will do well this season.
"We had to battle at times, but there was also a lot of quality on show from us."
On Wood, Cooper remarked: "It was a fine performance from him. He seems to see things other players don’t see and his contribution with the goal was a touch of class."
John Connelly, the QOS manager, was full of praise for his players — and felt they didn’t deserve to lose by two clear goals.
He said: "We are up in the First Division for the first time in years and we are starting to get an idea of what it is all about.
"I think this was one of the division’s favourites we were up against today and, although the gloss was taken off it by their second goal, it was a good performance from my players."
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This article appeared in The Ross-shire Journal supplement Ross County - Season 2002-2003 published on Friday 9 August and was written by Alasdair Fraser.
It is a little known fact that Steven McGarry, a young man with a fair old weight of expectation on his shoulders, once partnered former Ross County striker Neil Tarrant. The pairing happened at, of all places, an English non-league club.
Whether this snippet of information is rendered meaningless or becomes a popular piece of pub quiz trivia in Dingwall rests on the success or otherwise of a 23-year-old once groomed as a future Scotland cap.
McGarry, if successful at Victoria Park, does not intend to stick around for more than a year, but that fact should not concern County supporters.
If he does move on, it is most likely because he has shone and fulfilled the promise shown as a youth at St Mirren and within the Scotland under-21 set-up.
That McGarry found himself playing alongside the aforementioned Tarrant at Boston United in the English Conference League speaks volumes of how his career has faltered.
A fall-out with St Mirren manager Tom Hendrie more or less put paid to his prospects of advancing at his boyhoopd club and neither party was grumbling this summer when the remaining year of his contract was torn up.
A paltry five goals in 20 starts in the SPL might not seem anything for the Victoria Park faithfull to get excited about, but it was a reasonable return given frequent substitution appearances and the troubled background to his latter days at Love Street.
What the supporters will see, if McGarry finds his form, is striker with quick feet and a keen eye for goal. What he lacks in height he makes up for in speed of thought and athleticism. Defences will find they lose concentration momentarily at their peril.
Most of all, though, McGarry's best attribute this season will be his burning desire to prove his distractors wrong. He wants to prove he can play at a higher level again. Look out for that first confrontation with the Paisley club.
McGarry faces competition from Alex Bone, a player who County fans would love to see return to form this campaign, and the first choice pairing of young Conor Gethins and Steven Hislop. Hislop's injury, though, will see him out until November.
That will open the door for another new addition, the powerful figure of Graham Bayne. After being released by Dundee, and following a fairly successful stint at Arbroath, Bayne did enoughh to pursuade manager Neale Cooper he could be an asset.
The 6ft 1ins tall striker, still only 22, was unfortunate to fall out foul of Dundee's manager Ivano Bonetti's revolution at Dens Park, where native Scots found themselves in the largely ignored minority.
Tucked in just behind the front line, 20-year-old Martin Wood might find himself staking a place in the team. The Rothes product showed enough hunger and desire in pre-season for County officials to stretch their spending on squad wages beyond what they had originally planned.
If signs of his creativity as an attacking midfielder are anything to go by, it will be an investment that pays off.
Yet if County appear to have found a solution in attack, their defence is an area that has caused some a little concern during the summer holidays.
The departure of Ian Maxwell to St Johnstone, with a desire to move back to the Central Belt cited as the reason for leaving, raises questions.
Without demeaning hte contribution of quality players like Brian Irvine and Mark Perry, Maxwell was argualbly County's major organiser and steadying influence at the back.
In his place, though not necessarily as a direct replacement, comes Paul Deas, who has experience at a host of top clubs including St Johnstone, Livingston and Partick Thistle.
The 30-year-old is, crucially, left-footed, just as Maxwell was, but may also be utilised in an attacking wing-back role witha youngster like Sean Webb or Martin Canning drafted into defence.
County have also enlisted a player who used to be counted as a foe. Mark McCulloch, back north after a spell at Livingston was skipper of Inverness Caledonian Thistle but, as befits a true professional, will not let such details deter him at Ross County.
His versatility could be a major asset - the 27-year-old can slot in almost anywhere in defence or midfield.
A year ago, this very publication took some stick for suggesting Richard Hastings' heart was not at his new club. That particular former Caley Thistle player has, as predicted, upped and left Ross County after a mix of competent and indifferent performances.
McCulloch, in contrast, has shown his intentions by signing a three-year contract at Victoria Park. It is the sort of commitment County will need in a testing season.
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This article appeared in The Ross-shire Journal supplement Ross County - Season 2002-2003 published on Friday 9 August and was written by Alasdair Fraser.
When Neale Cooper attended the SFA's Largs camp this summer, it was not to brush up on his coaching or managerial skills occasionally called into question by his critics.
The former Aberdeen, Rangers and Aston Villa defender was there as a teacher not student. Though never honoured at international level himself, among those attending the course and listening intently to his every word were 61-times capped Ally McCoist and 58-times capped John Collins.
It says much for the Ross County manager's standing within the Scottish game that such distinguished Old Firm stars now find themselves in his charge.
With an array of A certificate coaching badges worthy of a heavily-decorated World War II veteran, Cooper is among an elite who qualify to work at the highest level in football anywhere in Europe or the wider world.
"It means that if I ever want to I can go and find work in Outer Mongolia or Tanzania," Cooper smiles.
There was a time, during his shaky start in Dingwall, we though that he might have to.
Never one to blow his own trumpet, Cooper does not over-egg the pudding when asked about his Largs jaunt. Despite his status as the SFA's 'Golden Boy', he is disamingly frank about the limitations of a football education.
"I love the coaching side of football and am pleased with the qualifications I have, but let's face it, coaching badges do not win you points or championships," he says.
"I have discovered that there is so much more to management than what goes on on the training field. It has been a learning process since day one at County, and I do not think that you ever stop learning.
"I have spoken to other managers about this. You really are a social worker to the squad - there are so many different situations to deal with every day.
"You can be the best manager in the world, but if you do not have the players playing for you and get into their heads then it will not work.
"The board are easily satisfied - they just want results. Win games and they are happy, apart from having to pay out the win bonusses! Players, though, want guidance and they look to the manager for that.
"You can do your coaching badges and learn theories, but for me the main part of being a manager is getting those ideas across."
Cooper certainly got into his players' heads during the second half of last season. Ending the campaign with a genuinely thrilling run of sixteen games unbeaten, County went from relegation tips to feared status in the First Division.
"The players have done well collectively here and there is an appetite for more this season. I have genuinely never seen the spirit so good in the squad," the manager states.
The departure of gifted players such as Frenchman Karim Boukraa and Argentinian Martin Prest has, strangely, helped build morale. While sure of their ability, Cooper stresses they were never fully part of the squad and perhaps created tensions within it.
This season, Ross County supporters can look forward to watching a team with plenty of ability but also a more unified outlook. On top of that, impressive young players like Sean Webb, Conor Gethins and Don Cowie are a year older and wiser.
Similarly, the manager, true to his word, is still learning. Cooper says: "I am much calmer with the players now. I have learned to keep my distance from them which was not that easy when I was still playing.
"On top of that, in the past I was perhaps expecting too much from the players at Ross County. I was expecting them to aspire to the standards I enjoyed in my own playing days at clubs like Aberdeen.
"With respect to players in the First Division, they maybe cannot produce those standards, although you have to set targets."
With former Scottish under-21 striker Steven McGarry strengthening the attack and experienced campaigner Paul Deas stepping into Ian Maxwell's shoes County's targets for this season should be far from modest.
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Ross County are hoping to remain on course for their first major piece of silverware since they won the Third Division championship in 1999. The Dingwall men play host to fellow First Division side St Mirren this evening in the quarter-final of The Bell's Challenge Cup (Vivtoria Park; KO 7.30pm).
Summer signing Steven McGarry will be handed his first chance to take on his former teammates and County's influential midfielder Hugh Robertson returns to the squad after a six-week lay-off. County's other summer signing Graham Bayne will be fit following a recent head knock and he should figure at some stage tonight.
Although County's 19-game unbeaten run was finally ended by Ayr United last weekend, manager Neale Cooper is far from unhappy with his side.
Cooper said: "We made a couple of unfortunate mistakes at the weekend which gifted them two goals of a start.
"It was always going to be an uphill struggle then but we played very well in the second half and probably deserved a draw. If we can follow on from our second-half performance tomorrow night then we won't be far away."
Cooper insists he will rest a few of his regular stars and give some of the youngsters a chance to impress as he attempts to freshen up the side.
He said: "We will change the system when we need to and that means a squad rotation sometimes.
"That's not being nasty to players, it's just that sometimes we'll need to change things around depending on the game."
Cooper knows St Mirren will provide stern opposition but says he is delighted to be at home for a change.
He said: "They are a very good side and play nice football.
"I'm just glad we're not on the road again, especially in midweek.
"The players can get a bit tired if they are travelling every week. I am just relieved to be at Victoria Park for this one."
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Ross County manager Neale Cooper insists his players will not suffer any ill effects ahead of derby duties after their extra-time marathon defeat to St Mirren on Tuesday.
Nothing could separate the teams after 120 minutes of football in the quarter-final and penalty kick agony saw Mark McCulloch’s missed kick punished by Simon Lappin.
While that exit was far from ignominious, concerns lingered afterwards that the effects of such a lengthy game would dull the powers of the County team before Saturday’s big game at Caledonian Stadium.
Ross County are seeking to improve on an overall derby record since joining the Scottish League which has seen them win just once away from home.
The overall record, taking account of games in both the Bobby Wilson and Neale Cooper eras, has seen County manage only five wins in 20 attempts home and away. Caley have won nine while six have ended up as draws.
While such statistics are of no real concern to the current squad, a victory over their fierce rivals would cap a promising start to the season.
Some observers have noted that County appear more impressive than Caley Thistle after the early series of games this season, but the Inverness side are convinced that luck has been the only missing ingredient in their poor start.
Cooper, who shrugged off any fear of tired legs going into the game, joked after the St Mirren defeat: "The players will be fine — they’re fit lads and I think I’ll have them in for a double session tomorrow morning.
"In all seriousness, there will be an emphasis on rest this week, but there are actually players who have maybe been needing games and it might just do their overall fitness the world of good. I’m certainly not concerned."
Cooper is at pains to stress just how impressed he has been with the attitude, spirit and fighting qualities of his side so far this campaign.
"They are a terrific bunch of lads — perhaps the best group I’ve had at this club — and I can’t fault them at all for what they have given the club so far this season, even in the two defeats.
"Against St Mirren, there were times we were maybe a wee bit lax with our distribution in the first half but I thought it was an end-to-end game and both teams produced some good stuff.
"We had chances to win it, although they could say the same, and there is nothing you can do about penalties.
"Mark McCulloch was gutted to have his penalty saved, but someone had to miss and he was just the unlucky one."
Cooper stresses that Caley Thistle’s record at home against Ross County makes them favourites for the eagerly-anticipated derby tussle.
But he betrayed a quiet confidence in his players, when he added: "According to reports, they have been unlucky to take only one point games so far, but we have been playing well and will go and try and win the game.
"It is important the players keep their discipline in what is always a hard-fought game of football."
Meanwhile, angry St Mirren manager Tom Hendrie hit out at the challenge that left Graham Guy in hospital after the penalties triumph at Ross County.
The Saints manager admitted the match itself wasn’t overly dirty despite eight bookings, but criticised Kenny Gilbert for his first half lunge.
Hendrie, though, insisted St Mirren could go on to win the cup after beating what he clearly feels was one of the best in the Bell’s tournament.
He said: "I was annoyed at the challenge. The disappointing thing for me was seeing a young boy like Graham Guy who has worked hard and broken into the first team end up out for a protracted period.
"It looks like either ligament damage or a broken ankle and he will be out for two or three months."
Hendrie raved about the fighting qualities of his players — and felt the penalty shoot-out performance by both teams shamed some of the world’s best.
He stressed: "People criticise Scottish football but every one of the first 10 penalties were out of this world. A few at the World Cup could have taken lessons from that lot.
"If we can come here and play like this away to Ross County and compete well enough to win through, it bodes well for our chances of lifting the cup."
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