Aberdeen assistant manager Tony Docherty is not surprised by the success achieved by Ross County’s Jim McIntyre.
The pair, who will be in opposing dugouts at Pittodrie tomorrow afternoon, worked together at Bristol City when McIntyre joined as a first team coach in 2012 a month after being sacked by Dunfermline.
McIntyre left the Robins in January 2013 when Derek McInnes was dismissed – but, like the Aberdeen manager, McIntyre has found success after returning north of the border.
After a spell in charge of Queen of the South, McIntyre helped save County from relegation in his first term in charge before guiding the Dingwall side to a top six finish and League Cup success this season.
McIntyre, whose side take on the Dons at Pittodrie tomorrow, was this week named manager of the year by the Scottish Football Writers’ Association and Docherty feels his former colleague was a worthy winner.
The Dons assistant-manager said: “He has been fantastic and I am delighted for him. County have done a great job as they took over a club which was staring relegation in the face.
“It was a poor team when they went in but they have turned things around.
“All of a sudden they have won a cup and are a top six team.
“The manager of the year award is fully deserved.
“Chairman Roy MacGregor also deserves credit because he gave Jim and Billy Dodds the time to make it happen after a tough start.
“It is important to get that support from above as every manager and coaching team goes through difficult periods.”
Docherty hinted more of Aberdeen’s young players could feature in tomorrow’s match against Ross County, including Australia under-23 international goalkeeper Aaron Lennox.
The Dons will be eager to end the season on a positive note after Thursday’s 1-0 defeat by Hearts – the fifth loss in seven matches.
Docherty added: “Hopefully some of the young players who have done well this season will be given a chance.
“It would be on merit if they were to be pitched in.
“Scott McKenna got his chance against Hearts and was man of the match, while Joe Nuttall also got some game time.
“We have others, such as Scott Wright, Frank Ross, Danny Harvie, Craig Storie and Aaron Lennox. They will all be considered.
“We were disappointed to lose against Hearts on Thursday. The boys put in a lot of effort but we didn’t work their goalkeeper enough.
“Adam Rooney had scored 13 in 17 matches for us and any team would suffer without their top goalscorer.
“When you take that out of any team, it is going to be difficult.”