Bear with us in the wait for new stars - Adams
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ROSS County boss Derek Adams has asked fans to be patient in their wait for new signings, as he works towards building a new-look squad for the next Scottish Premiership season.
The Staggies boss has already swooped to secure the signature of winger Joe Cardle from Raith Rovers during the close season, but after the departures of key loan signings and with players out of contract, Adams only has 13 senior squad members on his books, including three who’ve moved up from the under 20’s.
Adams said: “Everyone’s away just now but there’ll be a lot of work to be done before the players come back. It’s always a busy time of year and the fans always want to know about new signings but we just ask them to be patient. We’re working hard at the moment and we’ll continue to go about our business quietly and efficiently. We’ll probably be looking for players throughout the summer, I’d like to have a full squad for the tour to Holland.”
As well as the departures of loanees Filip Kiss, Yann Songo’o, Michael Tidser, Jordan Slew and Erik Cikos, Alex Cooper, Gary Glen and Michael Fraser have been released by Adams.
From the squad last season, Stuart Kettlewell, Ben Gordon, Brian McLean, Graham Carey, Rocco Quinn and Steven Ross are out of contract. Youngsters Tony Dingwall, Scott Ferries, Kyle MacLeod and Ross Mackillop have stepped up and Adams reckons the quartet must come back hungry to prove they can challenge for places in the matchday squad. He said: “It’s up to the young players that have moved up to progress and show they deserve a place on the bench first of all. I’m sure they’ll all return ready to work hard and make a push next season.”
The Victoria Park boss reckons it’s important that players who were part of the squad last season help new signings settle into the Scottish game from the word go to avoid another tricky start.
He said: “It’s probably up to the players that have been here before to lead as the squad get used to Scottish football.
“We’re just delighted to have third season in the Scottish Premiership and happy with how we’ve performed. We’re pleased with how we’ve recruited in the January transfer windows and that’s worked well for us in the last two seasons.
“The aim for us will be the same as every season, to stay in the SPL.
“We’ve enjoyed the last two seasons and for a club of our size to have a third season to look forward, we haven’t any complaints.
“We’ve finished fifth and we’ve finished seventh - we’ve finished above Kilmarnock, St Mirren, Hibernian and Hearts in both seasons.”
Meanwhile Adams is looking forward to the trip to Holland to take one FC Twente.
The Enschede side have been regular title challengers since former England boss Steve McLaren led them to their first Eredivisie success in 2010 and contain Dutch under 21 international Quincy Promes among their ranks.
Adams said: “It’s good to get away for pre-season and to be able to play in Holland where we have been before. The facilities are very good at FC Twente and it should provide us with a good test.”
