Stuart Kettlewell reveals how Steven Ferguson helped pack his bags after Ross County sack but he'll always be best pal

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 director of football 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 into the relative safety of a director of football role 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