Barry Smith doffed his cap to the champions and praised Ross County’s mix of silk and steel. Now he wants to emulate them.
While some rival managers have taken pot-shots at the Highland club for supposed long-ball tendencies, the Dens Park boss reckons County are much more chameleon-like than that.
In Smith’s book, it has been the Dingwall club’s adaptability that has marked them out as clear winners in Division One an ability to play flowing football when the opportunity arises and a willingness to graft when it doesn’t.
While Smith insists that ”stabilisation” was the Dark Blues’ priority this season after the trauma of administration, he wants to adopt County-like qualities next season.
After seeing his side roundly beaten and wallflowers at a County party on Saturday, the 38-year-old said: ”It was disappointing from our point of view. The boys should be showing more, but that’s why Ross County are champions. Throughout the season they have done very well.
”We went on our run last season and the more you don’t get beaten, the more it breeds confidence. The game is about winning. Everyone would like to get the ball down and play but, in certain games, it is maybe not on.
”Ross County have been good at that. If they have been able to play, they’ve played. If not, they have been able to change their game.
”We like to get the ball down and play but at times you have to mix it up. I don’t think we’ve done enough of that this season.
”Ross County have been able to do both and that’s why they are the champions.”
Smith insists Dundee’s priority will remain avoiding the perils of past over-spending. But he is optimistic the learning experience of this season can stand the team in good stead.
Smith said: ”For this club, the season ending now was about stabilising after administration and making sure the club was on a safe footing.
”Hopefully we have done that and can continue to do that and make sure we are safe next season.
Continued…
”We have learned from all teams, not just Ross County, but they have won the league doing certain things and you would be stupid not to look at it.
”We would have liked to have put more pressure on them, but I’ll take nothing away from what they have done. They have been so consistent through the season. They are worthy champions.”
Ironically, it was a man heading for Tannadice next season who did most to torment the Dens Park team and secure a 31st game unbeaten for County.
Michael Gardyne struck twice in the 3-0 beating to take his season’s haul to 15, and ex-Dee Colin McMenamin’s goal although the award may have been kind on Gary Irvine took his tally to 17.
While many County players are out of contract, Gardyne believes the vast majority of his Dingwall colleagues can join him in the SPL.
The 26-year-old, who showcased the best of his talents in the spring sunshine, said: ”I definitely think they can (do well at the next level). When we’ve played SPL opposition over the years it has been these boys here who have put in the displays.
”To go 31 games unbeaten in the First Division is incredible, so I’ve no doubt the boys in that dressing room can step up easily.
”It has just been a brilliant few days, winning the league, winning at Ayr and partying with the fans down there. And then today we managed to give our closest rivals a bit of a doing. That is the icing on the cake.
”It means a lot to me to see the club up there in the SPL for next season. I’ve been here four or five years now and the fans have been brilliant.
”Everyone at the club from the backroom staff to the management to the players have been superb. Ross County is special to me you don’t stick around a club for five years if you don’t love it.”
Gardyne admits he will cherish memories of occasions like Saturday’s for the rest of his days. But the Tannadice-bound attacker insists he has no regrets about leaving County this summer.
He stressed: ”It’s all agreed now and I’m looking forward to the future, but I’ll enjoy my last few weeks here. It has been brilliant.
”Every one of my five years has been good. I’ll think about what lies ahead when the time comes, but I just want to enjoy what’s happening to Ross County right now.”