Don Cowie reveals Philippe Clement full time apology and insists he has no issues with Rangers boss

Proud Don Cowie praised his players for making history but urged them to make it count by keeping Ross County in the Premiership.

The Staggies claimed their first win over Rangers, at the 25th time of asking, with a famous 3-2 win in Dingwall. The notable victory takes County to within one point of St Johnstone and Cowie knows all that matters is that they do whatever they can to safeguard their top-flight status.

He admitted: “It’s a big win. Before we had six games remaining and every game is just as important but we were playing against a very good team. We had real belief going into the game because our home form has been very good and it was about trying to build on that. I thought collectively it was an excellent team performance.”

Cowie knew his side couldn’t go out and just defend and that is why he wanted his team to get at Rangers. He added: "The message at half-time was that we had done really well and we were disappointed to be behind. It was about coming out fast and being positive and they certainly did that.

“You just try and find a game plan that makes us feel comfortable as a team. You look at certain individuals and the personnel that I’ve got. I’ve got two very good strikers who were sitting on the bench in Eamonn Brophy and Jordan White, but I just felt that having Yan Dhanda and Josh Sims on the pitch in certain areas could help us out defensively and give us that attacking threat in the transition. It is up to them to go and execute the plan after that and they did it very well.”

Cowie came in to replace Derek Adams and has given County a real fighting chance in the top flight relegation fight. That has been based on some impressive home form.

He stated: “I believe the collective performance has been really consistent over the past two months. We beat Hearts here a few weeks ago and then we lost the next two games, but I felt the performances were good, especially against Aberdeen.

“Sometimes you don’t always get what you deserve, but as long as you can see the bigger picture and see what the team is trying to do. As a group, they understand that. It allows them to enjoy days like today when they do get it really right and are clinical at both ends.”

Cowie also made some big calls in his team selection. Recalling keeper Ross Laidlaw for the first time since January and he came up trumps.

“It was a big call because I have two very good goalkeepers,” the County boss insisted. “George has come in and done really well. Ross has had a really stop-start period because of illness and injury. I just had a feeling it was his time to go back in. He has had to be patient but he certainly didn’t let us down that’s for sure.”

Cowie also revealed there was no issue between himself and Clement, even though the post-match handshake was left until after the press conference. He explained: “He apologised that he didn’t shake my hand, which I have got no problem with. It is a game that he probably expects to come up and win and he is in a pressured situation in terms of fighting for the league title. I had 10 minutes with him prior to the game and he was very respectful. Yeah, no issues there with me.”