ROSS COUNTY co-manager Stevie Ferguson says the Staggies have been left kicking themselves after passing up several clear chances to score early on in their 3-0 defeat at Celtic Park.

Joshua Mullin, Blair Spittal and Don Cowie all went close to scoring for County before Callum McGregor’s penalty put Celtic ahead on the day.

And while Ferguson was taking the positives from what was an impressive performance across the piece, he was frustrated not to have made the most of those early opportunities.

“We feel there was a marked improvement on our last visit here,” Ferguson said.

“We wanted to make sure we were in the game but also offer a threat at the other end of the pitch.

“The chances we created suggests we got that right. The players did what was expected of them. But if you don’t take your chances you are always vulnerable to conceding a goal at the other end.

“I felt it was a soft penalty and we could have done better with the other two goals.

“Regarding our performance we certainly feel it was better but we don’t want this to sound like a glorious failure.

“We feel we competed well on the day. We don’t feel like it was a 3-0 game but the scoreline tells us otherwise. Once the dust settles we will take the positives.

“We did put a lot into the game and deserved something, be that a goal or a bit of luck.

“That’s down to things we can’t influence.”

One of the major positives that County took back to Dingwall was the 80 minutes they got out of returning midfielder Cowie.

“Don has been out for nine months so it was great to see him back on the pitch,” Ferguson said.

“He came off after 80 minutes but prior to today he had only played 60 minutes in a reserve game.

“He has been training exceptionally hard and he has certainly earned his money this week.”