Don Cowie says struggles of Highland rivals Inverness Caley Thistle adds extra importance to Ross County’s Premiership survival bid
Ross County interim manager Don Cowie says he is disappointed to see former club Inverness Caledonian Thistle fall into League One.
The Caley Jags lost 5-3 to Hamilton Academical on aggregate in the Championship play-off final, sparking calls for change at boardroom level and uncertainty over the club’s future.
Cowie is fighting a battle against the drop of his own, with the Staggies due to contest the Premiership play-off against Raith Rovers this week.
However, the 41-year-old bears no grudge towards County’s Highland rivals having played at the Caledonian Stadium himself between 2007 and 2009 in what was his first taste of Scottish Premier League action.
He would enjoy some good times in the Highland capital, finishing the 2007/08 season as Caley Thistle’s top scorer and player of the year.
That means he takes no joy in ICT’s drop, but he does admit that adds to the importance of County preserving their top flight status for another season.
“I’m disappointed – Inverness played a massive part in my playing career,” Cowie explained.
“As much as I was only there for a short period of time, it gave me that stepping stone to achieve what I did in the game.
“As much as they are our rivals, I still keep an eye on them and want them to do well.
“I’m disappointed for them in terms of losing their play-off and the issues that seem to be happening at the club off the field.
“That’s why it is important that we, as a club, bring a bit of positivity to the Highlands.”
