Iain Russell: Six new Special Ones for Gaffer to crib off . .

Bobby Barr, David Sinclair, Johnny Brown, Paul Watson, Craig Barr and I passed with flying colours as we spent the last five Monday afternoons being put through the SFA level 1 and level 2 courses by coach development officer, Chris Smith.

I believe there is an up-and-coming manager amongst us, and certainly if you moulded the six of us together you would have the next Jose Mourinho!

Wee Bobby has the enthusiasm and would always have his team motivated. Sinky has the quick wit and the silver tongue to deal with the media. Johnny Brown has the tactical prowess and excellent training drills. Paul Watson is intelligent and has the laid back approach of Mourinho. Mango Barr has the age and experience as he is the oldest in the group and I have the cool hair, clothes and charisma of the Special One!

Just on Johnny Brown’s training drills – he should definitely pass on his battleships game to gaffer Gary Bollan.

In all seriousness, though, the coaching badges are a useful addition to gain during your professional career. It is an option for the future if any of the boys would like to go into a coaching role at the end of their playing career.

Back to our normal regime, I am delighted to be back training with the squad after three weeks on the sidelines with tendonitis. It is so hard to stay motivated when you are in the gym every day and sitting in the stands on a Saturday feeling helpless.

I have an extra wee spring in my step being back on the training field, although I’m not sure if the gaffer’s ears will be too happy!

All the boys are feeling very positive at the moment. The team are playing really well and this Saturday’s match looks set to be a cracker.

We are at home to top-of-the-table Ross County, who are currently on an eight-match winning streak. They sit nine points ahead of the chasing pack and we need to win this Saturday to stop them from running away from the rest of us.

Having taken a point at Dingwall earlier in the season, there is no reason why we can’t be confident about winning this match.

A special mention goes to Marc “Sparky” McNulty, who scored his first senior hat-trick in just 40 minutes last weekend.

Sparky is showing his potential and all three of his finishes against Irvine Meadow were top class. Marc has been listening to the new six level 2 coaches at the club and it’s paying dividends!

The youngster is revelling in his new role just behind the strikers, and long may it continue in the team’s surge towards the top of the league.