Don Cowie, the manager of Ross County, is not pleased with his team’s late 2-1 loss to Celtic on Sunday afternoon.
After Liam Scales handled the ball in the Celtic box during the first half, Ronan Hale’s penalty gave the Staggies the lead in the game.
Nevertheless, Nicolas Kuhn’s incredible finish in the 87th minute and Alistair Johnston’s close-range goal in the 87th minute gave the Bhoys another crucial three points.
After the game, Cowie expressed his obvious disappointment, complaining that they had been in the lead or tied for the entirety of the game until losing.
In addition, he took shots at referee Kevin Clancy for giving Kuhn’s winning free kick.
Kevin Clancy dismisses Don Cowie’s Celtic grievance.
According to the Ross County manager, “It was disappointing for the players with the effort they have put in again” [Press & Journal]. They largely suppressed actual goal-scoring possibilities for a very good side.
We had previously discussed the importance of being focused and compact, both of which I observed to be highly present in the group. The equalizer was quite lucky because it ricocheted off the wall.
They score a goal, in my opinion, off a free kick that was never fouled in the middle of the pitch. Jordan extended his foot, but Luke McCowan was unaffected. After that, he dropped the ball, giving them a free kick.
We were a little bit out of shape at that point, and a good team punishes you, which is exactly what occurred.
“I didn’t perceive it as a free kick at the time, but I’ve seen it again, and it isn’t. Although it is sad that the decision goes against us, we still have time to respond and stop the goal. I questioned the referee about it, but I didn’t hear back. I have an opinion, and he has his.
McCowan was obviously clipped.
Here, I must disagree with Cowie. Replays do reveal contact on Luke McCowan, which is fair given that he is injured. Perhaps this is all just coming out in the heat of the moment.
It’s not true that there was “no contact,” despite his right to believe that it was a gentle free-kick.
In the end, Celtic’s goal came from a straightforward free-kick well over the halfway line—Ross County finally gave up.
Although it seems petty to bring it up as a topic of argument, managers frequently bring up these concerns in an attempt to divert focus from players and their dissatisfaction with their performances.