Don Cowie says new striker Ronan Hale is proving why Ross County signed him after the forward netted two goals against Stirling Albion in the League Cup.
The 3-0 win over the Binos saw County ensure a place in the knock-out stages of the competition, with Hale making it three goals in two games in his early County career.
“He took his goals really well, especially the second one,” boss Cowie told club media. “It wasn’t an easy finish but he made it look easy. We know he is capable of that.
“The first goal comes at a really good time for us in terms of making that breakthrough and calming everyone down. It’s just another indication of what he brings to this group.”
Hale joined the Highland outfit in the summer after a prolific spell at Cliftonville in Northern Ireland, where he scored 50 goals in 80 appearances.
The 25-year-old, who was born in Belfast, has been linked with a Northern Ireland call-up, despite playing for the Republic of Ireland at age-grade level.
The only down side for County during the win over Albion was the loss of Ricki Lamie, who went off injured after 39 minutes.
“He just felt a slight pain in the Achilles area,” Cowie explained. “The doc’s had a look at him and doesn’t think it’s anything too sinister but we’ll see how that recovers over the coming days.”
Don Cowie,Stirling Albion,Ronan Hale,Ross County,Ricki Lamie,Ireland
