What did Derek Adams think about how his new players performed against Celtic?
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Ross County manager Derek Adams says the players brought on loan to Ross County have added competition for the existing squad, believing they will be vital going into the second half of the campaign.
Adams fielded all seven of his loan players in the starting 11 against Celtic, as they fought valiantly in a narrow 1-0 defeat at Celtic Park on Saturday.
They included Loick Ayina and Teddy Jenks starting, along with new loaned player Brendon Khela in addition to Cameron Borthwick-Jackson who were all brought in during the January transfer window.
Goalkeeper George Wickens, who is on loan from Fulham, impressed in the match when he made two penalty saves to keep Ross County in the game.
Adams says the players he has brought in has added competition for starting places which he says is necessary in their fight against relegation.
“The players who came in did really well and the goalkeeper making two penalty saves was vital for us.
“We’ve added competition for places and that’s really important going into the next half of the season.
“When you take in new players to any club it’s about getting them started as quickly as possible.
“I’d have preferred to start them against a different team but to see the standard it was important to start them today and it could have gone one of two ways.
“They had a good understanding of the game and that’s good going forward.”
Ross County went behind after just 55 seconds when Alistair Johnston scored, but Ross County had chances to equalise, with Will Nightingale's header hitting the crossbar.
The Staggies could have snatched a point at the death when Jordan White was through on goal, but his shot was saved by Joe Hart.
Adams says it was an encouraging performance to leave Glasgow with.
"I thought to go down so early, the character was very good. We had four debutants and the way we played in and out of possession was very good.
“We hit the bar and got Joe Hart to make a good save towards the end. It’s not easy going down so early but the manner of the performance was excellent."
