Adams gives Duncan deadline
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DEREK Adams remains keen on signing Russell Duncan for Ross County, but will pursue other targets if the midfielder has not made a decision by next week.
The former Caley Thistle player remains high on the list of potential transfer targets for Adams, who has just returned from holiday in Florida.
County manager Adams is determined to make Duncan his third close season acquisition after already signing another ex-Inverness player, defender Grant Munro, and former Dundee and Queen of the South striker Colin McMenamin, but insists he will not wait forever for the 30-year-old to make up his mind on where his future lies.
“I have spoken to Russell and he knows how keen we are to try and bring him to the club,” said Adams.
“I would think, however, that within the next week something on this front should happen. If not, then I’ll move on.
“Russell has plenty of First Division and Scottish Premier League experience, so if we could get him here then it would be excellent, but I’m sure there are other clubs interested in signing a player of his ability as well.”
Having returned from his break, Adams has been busy attempting to bolster his squad in a bid to improve upon the eighth position the Dingwall club finished in last season.
Andrew Barrowman departed last week following the expiry of his contract to sign with newly-promoted Dunfermline, but Adams does not anticipate any more leaving unless it is out of necessity.
“I expect all the players who are at the club just now to be here at the start of the season,” said Adams, whose side return to begin pre-season training on Monday 20th June.
“It might be the case that if we bring in a few more players then we have to trim the squad, but at the moment we don’t need to do that.”
Meanwhile, Adams has confirmed that Stuart Balmer will become his assistant manager.
The former Charlton and Wigan player was initially brought to the club in January as second in command to Willie McStay and remained at Victoria Park even after McStay was sacked.
“Stuart has been here for six months now and I’ve been impressed by his work ethic,” said Adams. “I’m delighted he’s agreed to become assistant manager.
“I told him my ideas and what my expectations are and he felt the same as me, so it’s good that I’ve got somebody who already knows a lot about the club instead of bringing in someone who perhaps would have to go through a transition before getting used to things.”
