Ross County chairman Roy MacGregor has praised Stuart Kettlewell and Steven Ferguson for leading the Staggies to the brink of a Premiership return after admitting he had his doubts of over the partnership.
With a six-point lead and a vastly superior goal difference over closest challengers Dundee United with two games to go, the Dingwall outfit have all but secured the Championship title.
Former County midfielder Kettlewell and Ferguson, who had been the club’s academy director, replaced the sacked Owen Coyle in March 2018 as co-managers but were unable to lead the team to top-flight safety.
However, the Highland side have proved too strong for their second-tier rivals this term and MacGregor admits he has been proved wrong regarding the dugout pairing.
MacGregor said: “I wasn't an advocate of co-managers, but this has worked and I have to eat my words.
“They have dovetailed absolutely tremendously well and it was their passion, desire and commitment that brought it home for the club.
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“This year more than anything we've had significant injuries to key players so it has been a team effort.
“The whole 20 players that were involved get great credit for the spirit and desire they've shown.
“We got everyone focused on what we needed to do, and we have a management team who delivered
“I'm absolutely delighted. That was our objective at the start of the year.”
Inverness are also in contention for promotion after securing their place in the play-offs and MacGregor is delighted football in the Highlands is looking healthy.
He added: “Both clubs made a journey 25 years ago from the Third Division to the Premier League - won cups and Inverness got into Europe.
“Both clubs were on a journey then all of a sudden the journey stopped. It's a different journey over the next 25 years. It's really significant that we've bounced back in one year.”
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