DON Cowie has revealed that Philippe Clement apologised to him for not shaking his hand immediately after Ross County’s shock cinch Premiership win over Rangers at the Global Energy Stadium this afternoon.

Clement headed straight up the tunnel when the final whistle blew in Dingwall and did not offer his congratulations to his opposite number Cowie on the home team’s historic 3-2 victory on the touchline in the traditional manner.

However, the Belgian waited patiently until after the Scot, who has been put in interim charge of the relegation-threatened Highland outfit until the end of the season, had finished a post-match interview with BBC Scotland to pass on his compliments.

Cowie, whose team beat their Glasgow rivals for the first time at the 25th attempt to give their hopes of surviving in the top flight this term a huge boost, stressed that he had no problem with his counterpart not doing so at the end of the 90 minutes.  

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“He apologised that he didn’t shake my hand, which I have got no problem with,” he said. “It is a game that he probably expects to come up and win and he is in a pressured situation in terms of fighting for the league title. I had 10 minutes with him prior to the game and he was very respectful. Yeah, no issues there with me.”

County are now just a point behind third-bottom St Johnstone in the Premiership table with five matches remaining and Cowie is hopeful their unexpected triumph over title-chasing Rangers will give them a huge lift.

The Herald: “It’s a big win,” he said. “Before we had six games remaining and every game is just as important but we were playing against a very good team. We had real belief going into the game because our home form has been very good and it was about trying to build on that. I thought collectively it was an excellent team performance.”

“I think they took real belief from what was happening on the pitch. Even though we conceded the goal we had created a couple of really good chances. We weren’t clinical enough and didn’t take them.

READ MORE: Clement claims Rangers lacked urgency in shock Ross County defeat

“But you sense it as a player. You realise what’s happening. And they built from that. The message at half-time was that we had done really well and we were disappointed to be behind. It was about coming out fast and being positive and they certainly did that.

“At the end of the game it got a bit nervy and that is natural. They got the penalty. But I saw a group of players putting their bodies on the line to make sure we got the three points and that was very pleasing.

“I spoke to the players after the game. What we get is three points and that’s it. But beyond that we have to take real belief and confidence going into five crucial games after today and try to build on it.”