Dunfermline’s Gary Mason hopes his former manager Jimmy Calderwood is a great success as the new boss of Ross County-as long as that success starts after the Pars play the Staggies tonight in Dingwall.
Mason and the rest of the Dunfermline squad travel north determined not to lose any more ground on local rivals and first division pace-setters Raith Rovers.
The Kirkcaldy side won at a canter at the weekend against Cowdenbeath to go four points ahead of the Pars who were idle after their own game was postponed due to a waterlogged East End Park.
Now, Mason who played under Calderwood when he was Dunfermline boss, heads to Dingwall in determined mood but still wary that the Staggies are a far better side than their position sitting second bottom of the table would suggest.
“It is a real plus point that we have another game so soon after the disappointment of Saturday’s postponement,” he said. “The call-off was frustrating as you train all week to enjoy a game on Saturday.
“However, we now travel to face Ross County and will be going all out to take the three points. Rovers won at the weekend while we were not playing but we just need to take care of ourselves first and foremost. Raith got a good result and we will have to do the same in Dingwall.
“County have struggled this season which has really surprised me.
“They should not be in the position they are in with the squad they have. But it is not an easy place to go to and we have to make sure we are up for the game and in the right frame of mind, especially as they will be determined to put on a good display for their new boss.
“Jimmy Calderwood is a very good manager and I had some great times playing under him. I am sure he will get the best out of the County players but hopefully not in his first game in charge.”Goal droughtMason has yet to open his goal account this season but the midfielder insists the drought is something which does not concern him.
“It would be nice to score but as long as someone else is putting the ball in the net and we are picking up victories, then it is not something I will allow to worry me,” he added.
“Obviously, I would be delighted if it was me scoring a goal that helped us win but the result is the main thing which matters.”
Mason’s boss Jim McIntyre has admitted that he is also wary of the new manager boost County will have received, but insists his side are determined to begin a winning run that he hopes will take them back to the top of the table and ultimately win them promotion.
“I think Ross County have underachieved this year,” he said. “They have good players and in my opinion are in a false position.
“But the players will be desperate to impress their new manager so we will have to guard against that and make sure we do what we are good at.Dunfermline’s Steven Bell and Andy Dowie will miss tonight’s game through injury.