When the significance of Don Cowie’s first Ross County goal became clear, Strathpeffer’s home-grown Marco Tardelli was born.
Cowie grew up supporting the Staggies and was on the club’s books from the age of nine, breaking into the first team after debuting as an 18-year-old in a 4-0 win over Raith Rovers in May 2001.
It was to be the start of an outstanding 19-year career that saw Cowie play in the English Premier League with Cardiff City and earn 10 Scotland caps, before returning to Victoria Park for the final two years of his career.
It was a fitting end ahead of his move into County’s first team coaching set-up.
Cowie’s passion for the Staggies was never doubted by Steven Mackay, who came through the club’s youth ranks two years ahead of the midfielder, and remains a close friend.
It was plain for Mackay to see on the opening day of the 2002-03 First Division season, as he witnessed the outpouring of emotion following Cowie’s first Staggies goal in a 3-0 win over Arbroath at Gayfield.
Mackay said: “Arbroath was always a horrendous place to go, we always struggled there.
“I remember Neale Cooper giving us both the opportunity to start. We went and won the game, and Don scored. With both us having been through the youth set-up at County, and both County fans, the passion that came out of him when he scored was unbelievable.
“After that I always called him Tardelli, after his celebration when he scored in the World Cup for Italy.
“That’s what it was like. There were about 100 County fans in the away end and there was this unbelievable passion that came out in his celebration.”
Cowie’s commitment to maintaining peak fitness has always impressed Mackay, but the Brora Rangers player-manager insists his former team-mate’s technical ability should not be forgotten.
Mackay said: “I remember when he was at Cardiff and I went down to visit him during close-season.
“Cardiff were going into the Premier League at the time and I was at Brora. In terms of where we were plying our trade we were worlds apart.
“We went for a run to keep ticking over before we went back to pre-season – he absolutely destroyed me.
“I don’t think it was anything too severe, it would maybe have been a three or four-mile run.
“In my head I was going to keep up with him to see how we got on, but he blew me away.
“He was competing in the Premier League, but that’s not something he ever took for granted. He ensured his fitness levels were up to scratch – and beyond that. You need it compete at that level.
“That’s something we have always recognised about him. His attitude and dedication to football was incredible.
“That shouldn’t overshadow the fact he had real technical ability.”
Mackay’s standout moment from Cowie’s career came in 2012, when he played for Cardiff against Liverpool in the League Cup final at Wembley.
Then-Championship side Cardiff took the Reds to penalties following a 2-2 draw, with Cowie netting his penalty but unable to prevent the Anfield side from running out winners.
Lifelong Liverpool fan Mackay was at the game among the Liverpool fans and, despite his allegiance, was thrilled to see Cowie play well.
He added: “I wanted him to score because it was him, but I kind of wanted him to miss.
“I filmed it and I just remember these Liverpool fans staring at me, thinking ‘why is this guy filming
a Cardiff penalty?’” he said.
“I had a low key celebration when he scored, so I always remind him of the fact I put my life on the line to record his penalty against Pepe Reina.
“He put it right in the top bin, it was a brilliant penalty. He performed really well that day, Liverpool were very lucky to win.
“It was a great moment for him to play at Wembley against what was also his boyhood team, playing against Steven Gerrard and the likes in a full house.
“It was a great day and it was nice to be there to see it in person.”
Their time at County laid the foundations for a lifelong friendship, with the 38-year-old adding: “We had a wonderful journey together through the early years at County.
“He’s really humble with it, in terms of the career he has had, the level he has played at and the players he has played with or against.
“He’s still the same boy from Strathpeffer and he’s never forgotten his roots.
“I think that’s testament to the type of guy he is.”
