Don Cowie leaves debate on Ross County’s William Hill Premiership prospects to David Martindale and others to debate as Livingston play-off preparations ramp up
Don Cowie is fully focused on what Ross County can do on Thursday evening in a week where contrasting views on his team’s prospects and status have been aired.
Broadcast media pundits, in the main, seem to have written off the Premiership’s second bottom side ahead of Championship Livingston’s visit for the first of a two-legged showdown.
In contrast, the Lions’ manager David Martindale was eager to ply the line that County were overwhelming favourites given their status as the team from a league above.
Cowie, in truth isn’t fussed what others think ahead of the double-header so long as his team is fully primed and ready to be at their best when it matters.
Livingston certainly carry with them momentum from both the previous play-off win against Partick and a league campaign where they finished second having given champions Falkirk a real run for their money.
While Cowie respects Martindale’s stance, his only focus this week has been ensuring his side are best prepared to produce a level of performance that will win the tie.
For that, he points to the last two first half displays against Dundee and Motherwell where the Highlanders dominated before the break.
Asked about experts backing Livingston for promotion, Cowie said: “As a footballer, as a manager, it isn’t about proving people wrong, it is about proving yourself right.
“The reason we love football is it allows us all to have our own opinion.
“I will never object to anyone's opinion on football. If people think that way, that’s their prerogative.
“I don’t think any of our players, or myself, needs any more motivation than what’s at stake for this football club to get ourselves in the right place.”
On Martindale saying all pressure was on County, Cowie stressed: “There is pressure on both slides. Naturally, we’re the Premiership side and, historically, the Premiership clubs come out on top.
“We’re the team looking to stay in the league, whereas they’re pushing for promotion.
“No matter who thinks who is favourite, what it will come down to over two legs is who deserves it the most, who comes out on top.
“Whatever the outcome, it will be deserved.
“Livingston have had a really good season, pushing Falkirk all the way. They are a consistent team and have produced consistent performances.
“They’ve adapted slightly from the Premiership and David Martindale has said that himself.
“They’ve enjoyed being in the Championship, having a real style and player identity. You can see that in how comfortable they are on the ball.
“They have a strong squad when you look at their subs bench, very good options, and they will be feeling confident because they have been in really good form.
“We’ve got to be aware of that and ready for it, but it is no different from when we faced Partick two years ago and when we faced Raith last year as well.
“Those sides came into the tie in really good form as well.”
Livingston’s favourites’ tag is strengthened when you consider they have already beaten County in Dingwall this season, with a 3-2 extras-time win in the Scottish Cup.
But Cowie stressed: “Their personnel has changed slightly and it was the height of winter, on a pitch that wasn’t ideal.
“It was quite a physical game, but now you can see out there, our pitch is perfect. Livingston are very comfortable at home on their own surface and like to play football on it.
“They have a couple of strings to their bow in terms of ways they can play. We have to be prepared for both of them.”
