STUART KETTLEWELL was sacked as Ross County gaffer by best mate Steven Ferguson.
Two years later, he is set to return to Dingwall as Motherwell boss and his friendship with the Staggies chief remains intact.
The pair were County co-managers for a successful spell when they won the Championship and Challenge Cup before Kettlewell became the main man.
Just six months later he was out, as Ferguson and club owner Roy MacGregor swung the axe.
Kettlewell never once held it against his pal.
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But make no mistake, he is desperate to inflict a defeat on County tomorrow, which would keep them within the clutches of the relegation zone while easing Motherwell further away.
Kettlewell said: “I make no apologies about it, he’s my best mate and that’s not going to change.
“The families are close, our wives are close, our kids are close. That comes from a long period of time.
“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.
“Sometimes there can be a disrespect, there’s a feeling of, ‘Don’t speak to that person this week, you could give away secrets and team selections’.
“Utter nonsense. I wouldn’t put any of my mates in that position and they wouldn’t do the same with me.
“Both Stevie and Roy were in the office at the time when I was delivered the news that I was being sacked. I think the fact we’re still best of mates indicates how that went.
“When I was packing up my stuff and putting it into bin bags one man was standing shoulder to shoulder with me, as we did when we went into the job. That’s an indication of the man and the person.
“You’ll never hear anything but good words from me about Stevie Ferguson.”
Plenty felt sacking Kettlewell in December 2020 was a brutal decision.
Just three weeks earlier he had led County to a famous League Cup win at Celtic Park to end the Hoops’ stunning run of Trebles.
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He had also made over 130 league appearances for County as a player and won the same competitions he did as boss.
Kettlewell said: “I don’t owe anybody anything there.
“There’s a huge amount of respect for a lot of people who are still in the building. I know from a lot of messages and phone conversations I’ve had that it goes the other way.
“I walked away and moved away from the Highlands knowing I couldn’t have given another ounce.
“I’m now fortunate to be working at a tremendous club and I’ll be giving every single ounce of energy and thought to trying to get three points.
“I think County in Dingwall, with the level of investment and everything else they’ve had in the squad, will be firm favourites to win that game.
“It’s not mind games, it’s just the way I see it. But we’re fully intent on winning.” Kettlewell has secured two wins and a draw for Well since replacing Steven Hammell as manager.
He said: “What we want to do is keep on adding layers to what we’ve done so far.
“My message has been very clear — don’t get bored with the messaging and don’t get bored with the aspects of play that are working for us.
“Without doubt there’s been a bit of laughter, there’s been a bit of camaraderie.
“But when it’s time to switch on and work they are focused.”
Kettlewell has made ex-Celtic coach and Dundee United No 2 Stevie Frail his right-hand man.
Frail said: “Stuart phoned me last week and we discussed at length the short and long-term visions he has at the club.
“It was an easy decision. This is a good club and I’m well aware of the history of it.”
Kettlewell has no fears of academy kid Max Johnston, 19, losing focus after SunSport revealed he is being scouted by Serie A outfit Bologna.
The son of former Hearts and Rangers winger Allan has also been linked with Brighton.
Kettlewell added: “He’s such a level-headed boy, his head won’t be turned.
“There’s been no official contact from anyone. This club has always valued Max. There’s been an offer made to him.”
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