Don Cowie wants Ross County to make home advantage count against Rangers

Don Cowie is hoping the comforts of home can help Ross County pull off back-to-back Dingwall victories over Rangers on Sunday.

The Staggies have lost only three of their 19 matches on their own patch since the current boss first took charge initially on a caretaker basis in February.

One of the highlights of Cowie’s reign so far was a 3-2 victory over Rangers in April, and he would love a repeat when Philippe Clement’s side return to the Highlands this weekend.

“The group’s changed slightly, in terms of the squad that played in that game, but what we’ve done is we’ve continued the good performances and results at home since that game,” said the County boss.

“I think I’ve got a team that feel very comfortable playing here in Dingwall. We make it really difficult for whoever comes and that needs to be the foundation of this football club.

“We’re looking to try and continue that again this week, despite playing against a top team.”

Cowie has no worries about pitching goalkeeper Jack Hamilton in for his first Premiership start in 11 months after regular number one Ross Laidlaw was ruled out until the new year with a knee injury sustained against Celtic.

The 30-year-old came on early in the second half last weekend despite being plagued by illness in the lead-up to the match, and managed to prevent the rampant champions adding any further goals to the 5-0 scoreline.

“I think, naturally, it’s a blow,” he said of Laidlaw’s lay-off. “He’s a really consistent goalkeeper who’s done really well for our football club but, at the same time, it gives someone else an opportunity.

“I thought Jack came on on Saturday in a really difficult moment – the scoreline, not played a lot of football – and I thought he played excellently in the second half.

“Jack hadn’t been with the group since Wednesday I think it was, and he didn’t meet the group until actually at Celtic Park at 1.30 on Saturday. He put himself forward to make himself available and it just shows the character that he’s got to come on and perform as good as he did.”