Stuart Kettlewell recalls Steven Ferguson helping him pack his belongings into bin bags after watching on as he was sacked at Ross County two years ago.
But don’t think for a minute the new manager of Motherwell bears any grudges towards his old mucker and County chief executive as he heads back to Dingwall for the first time as an opposition boss this weekend. Any suggestion would be utter garbage.
Kettlewell admits he spilled blood with Ferguson as they stood shoulder to shoulder as County co-managers for two years that brought relegation, immediate promotion back to the Premiership as champions and Challenge Cup glory then ultimately the sack - for one half of the duo at least. Ferguson had moved upstairs to become chief executive months earlier but was in the room along with chairman Roy MacGregor the moment Kettlewell was relieved of his duties immediately after a 2-0 home defeat by Hamilton. However Kettlewell insists NOTHING will come between him and his best pal.
Such was the bond that exists between the pair that Ferguson agains stood by his side to help him empty his desk into a bin liner as an eight-year association with the club - over two spells - came to an end.
Kettlewell recalled: “Roy and Stevie were both in the office at the time when I was delivered the news that I was being sacked.
“Stevie’s reaction and the words that were said will remain confidential. But, I think the fact we’re still best of mates indicates how that situation went. An awkwardness? No, far from it. I can give you a laugh, when I was packing up my stuff and putting it into bin bags there was one man standing shoulder to shoulder with me as we did when we went into the job.
“I think that’s an indication of the man and the person. You’ll never hear anything else but good words from me about Stevie Ferguson. Somebody I’ve taken huge amounts from as a coach, as a person, everything else in football and out of football.
"I make no apologies about it, he’s my best mate. Football’s one thing, roles that you have – I’m manager of Motherwell, he’s chief executive of Ross County. But he’s my best mate. The families are close, our wives are close, our kids are close. That comes from a long period of time.
“You speak about spilling blood together or going through the trenches together. We’ve had some tough times, we’ve had some really good times. I spoke to him last night. I spoke to him as my mate, I didn’t speak to him as the chief executive of Ross County and I didn’t speak to him as the manager of Motherwell.
“People might think you cut off. And sometimes there’s a feeling of ‘don’t speak to that person this week because you could give away secrets, giving away team selections’. Utter nonsense. I wouldn’t put any of my mates in that position. But I also know they wouldn’t do the same with me. They are your friends for a reason, because you’ve been through so much together. Nothing changes with Stevie on that front for me.”
Kettlewell reckons the hurt from his sacking at County has long since given way to a hunger for the next challenge.
He’s found it at Fir Park after being appointed last week following a four month spell as Academy chief.
Three games have brought seven points to help the Steelmen drag themselves seen points clear of Premiership bottom spot and three clear of relegation rivals County.
He insists he can walk back into Victoria Park tomorrow with his head held high: “I don’t owe anybody anything there.
“I walked away and moved away from the Highlands knowing that I couldn’t have given another ounce.
“It was also a chapter in my life, my football career. I very much move on to the next one and the challenges that await.
“It didn’t have to be two years, I could’ve been working back in football somewhere else in a shorter period of time.
“But I’ve always been a believer in the correct thing. There’s no point in just jumping at the first thing.
“I think Ross county in Dingwall, with the level of investment and everything else they’ve had in the squad, will be firm favourites to win.
“But we don’t fear it. It’s not mind games, it’s just the way I see it.
“We’re fully intent on winning, though. We believe we can win and get something.”
Well ace Max Johnston’s form since returning from a loan spell at Cove has seen the teenager linked with big moves from Bologna to Brighton.
Kettlewell insists there’s been no approach to the club who are desperate to keep a hold of the soon to be free agent.
A new contract is on the table but the manager insists the right-back is as levek-headed as they come.
Kettlewell said: “He’s not been coming in speaking to our Japanese interpretor and trying to learn other languages.
“There’s been no conversation or talk about it.
“He’s such a level headed boy. He comes from really good stock and with good advice from people who are behind him.
“There’s been no official contact from anyone about him. His head won’t be turned.
“Previous to any news breaking, we’ve spoken. And the answers coming back to me from Max have been terrific.
“We want him to stay here.
“The football club has ben on that situation, and with others, before I stepped in to become the manager.”
