Don Cowie believes Eamonn Brophy will reap the benefits of a full pre-season with Ross County this summer.
Striker Brophy got off the mark in Saturday’s Premier Sports Cup opener against Stranraer, netting the final goal in the Staggies’ 3-1 victory at Stair Park.
Brophy netted four goals in 28 appearances after joining the Staggies permanently last summer, albeit just 12 of those came from the start.
After making the switch from St Mirren, the 28-year-old was hampered by a thigh injury which he had picked up during a successful loan spell with the Staggies at the tail end of the previous campaign.
Having not faced any disruption in his preparation for the forthcoming campaign, County boss Cowie is hopeful Brophy can thrive.
Cowie said: “When I first came into this role, Eamonn came back into the team, and that’s proof that he’s someone I rate really highly.
“He was probably unfortunate in how good Simon Murray was last season, and at the same time Eamonn had a niggling injury which meant he didn’t get the minutes he probably needed.
“He has had a really good three weeks since we came back, and he has been part of everything.
“That’s something he hasn’t done, by his own admission, for three or four years. He looks in a really good place now, and it’s just about building on that.”
County looking to strike up strong attacking competition
Cowie is looking for a talisman to step up to the challenge after Simon Murray, who was the Staggies’ leading scorer with 23 goals last term, was sold to Dundee last week.
Brophy will compete for an attacking berth with Jordan White, Alex Samuel and new signing Ronan Hale, who has joined on a three-year deal from Cliftonville.
Cowie hopes the competition can bring out the best in his attacking options.
He added: “Beyond the goals, him just being involved in everything in training at a really high level and intensity is more important for him right now.
“I’m delighted with what I’m seeing. We all know that Eamonn can score goals if given the chance, but what has been a challenge for him – as it would be for a lot of forwards – is finding that rhythm when he’s getting 15 minutes.
“Now the challenge is for him to put his hand up and say he’s the main striker at this football club.
“Whether it’s him or anyone else, you hope someone decides they are the person.
“Eamonn, Jordan, Ronan Hale and Alex Samuel will all be looking about and saying they want to be ‘the’ person this season.
“You want that competitiveness between them, and no matter how many of them are playing at one time the challenge is for them to be that person.
“Eamonn, to me, looks like someone who is ready to face that challenge.”
Garrick will not be coming to Dingwall following trial spell
Cowie has also confirmed the Staggies will not strike a deal to bring attacker Jordon Garrick to Dingwall.
Jamaican forward Garrick, who was most recently with Forest Green Rovers, netted in a pre-season victory over Brora Rangers during a trial period at Victoria Park.
Although Cowie spoke highly of Garrick following that match, he confirmed the 25-year-old will not be moving to the Highlands permanently, adding: “That’s not something that will happen going forward.”
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