Ross County boss Don Cowie says star striker Ronan Hale is focused only on his Dingwall future after he made the difference against Caley Thistle.
In the testimonial match for ICT legend Aaron Doran, the Northern Ireland international bagged a brilliant brace in a 2-0 away win for the Dingwall side, who have just dropped down to the Championship.
The 26-year-old, who is under contract at the Global Energy Stadium until 2027, has been linked to moves away after netting 18 times last season.
However, after a second half treble on Tuesday in a friendly against Highland League side Strathspey Thistle, he showed his attention is with his new-look team-mates as the club seek to bounce back to the Premiership in one attempt.
Hale ‘is thriving’ with Ross County
Staggies chairman Roy MacGregor has insisted he expects the forward to lead the line this season and manager Cowie believes Hale’s two latest outings underline that commitment.
He said: “Ronan scored two great goals on the back of his hat-trick on Tuesday (in a 5-0 win at Strathspey). That shows where his head is at and how confident he is feeling right now.
“I know Ronan’s hunger is there – he thrives on scoring goals.
“He only came back to the group on Monday. I was not keen on him playing on Tuesday, but he was adamant about being involved.
“That shows the hunger and motivation for him to be with his new team-mates. We see the quality with a hat-trick on Tuesday, then again with two great finishes here today.
“I am delighted the chairman has taken the stance he has with Ronan. He is thriving in this environment – long may it continue.”
Sharpening up for Stranraer cup-tie
On the game itself, Cowie added: “First and foremost, it was good Aaron got the recognition for the time he spent with Inverness, which was important.
“At the same time, it is a week until we play Stranraer in the Premier Sports Cup in our first competitive game.
“We had to look at that as well and it was important after some of the boys played 45 minutes on Tuesday against Strathspey Thistle.
“We went up a bit more with some of the players getting an hour. It was a worthwhile exercise.”
ICT boss ‘will learn a lot from derby’
Home boss Scott Kellacher, who is gearing his side up for a League One promotion push, agreed that Hale’s class told in an otherwise well-matched contest.
He said: “Ronan’s Hale’s goals were the difference. That’s what he brings to the party and you’ve got to give the boy credit. He’s a fantastic striker.
“He took his first goal really well and the second one – you could put two goalkeepers in there and they wouldn’t save it.
“They had a bit of the ball, we had a bit of the ball. It did feel just like a pre-season game. The wind, at times, spoiled it a bit.
“But we’re exactly where we want to be in terms of game time. We had Partick Thistle in midweek (a 3-2 away loss), Ross County today – these were games we wanted, in order to challenge ourselves. I will learn a lot from it and so will the boys.
“It was great for Aaron today. I said to him I wish he got the chance to play under myself and Billy Mckay when we came in last season. He’s our type of player.
“What he has done for this football club has been brilliant. He’s been a brilliant servant and such a good footballer.”
Kellacher gave another run-out to winger/striker trialist Destiny Ojo, fresh from his two goals against Partick in midweek.
And ICT will be looking at more trialists next week, with a game at Banks o’ Dee on Wednesday their final warm-up before taking on Elgin City on July 15 in the Premier Sports Cup.
Free-kick put seal on striker’s double
The sides, as promised, were as full strength as possible, with ICT’s six signings and most of County’s nine new arrivals all involved at some stage.
Only winger Gary Mackay-Steven was absent from the Staggies’ squad, having played on Tuesday.
County were ahead inside seven minutes when Hale provided a chipped finish to beat Ross Munro after a pass inside by Dean Cornelius.
Hale delivered another magic moment for the Dingwall side just before the interval as he doubled the scoreline.
A free-kick conceded by home skipper Danny Devine led to the forward guiding an unstoppable shot high out of Munro’s reach to cap the victory.
Tears and cheers for star man Doran
Scottish Cup-winner Doran – after 392 appearances and 57 goals spanning almost 14 years until he left last summer – was thrilled to come off the bench for the last 20 minutes in front of a crowd of around 2,000 at the Caledonian Stadium.
The 34-year-old Irishman, who now plays and coaches at Ryan Esson’s Strathspey Thistle, said it was a special afternoon.
He said: “It was actually emotional today. I didn’t expect that many to be at the game.
“It was such a nice day and it got a bit emotional, especially having my kids there and leading them onto the pitch.
“There were a few tears – I don’t know if it was from the sweat!
“But it was a great day.
“I’ve been away from the club for over a year and didn’t really know what to expect.
“But they came out in their numbers and were brilliant and showed me some great support, as they always did in the past.”
Caley Thistle v Ross County teams
Caley Thistle: Munro (Ross 79), Devine (Nixon 83), Allan (Sam Thompson 79), Chalmers (Robbie Thompson 60), Trialist A, MacLeod (Longstaff 60), Strachan, Wotherspoon (Doran 72), Millen, Savage, Trialist B (Alonge 60).
Ross County: Laidlaw (Foster 70), Crompton (Smith 46), Wright, Randall (Mackay 79), Henderson (White 60), Cornelius (Williamson 79), Hale (Brophy 70), Lyall (Lamont 79), Robesten (Emslie 46), Docherty (Phillips 46), Gallagher (O’Sullivan 70).
Referee: Stuart Randall.
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