Choice Boyce as Graham departs for Hibernian

Dingwall: County may see small fee if Hibs promoted

Ross County manager Jim McIntyre could not stand in attacker Brian Graham's way after he left the Staggies to join Championship side Hibernian.

Graham, who remains County's leading scorer on six goals in their Betfred Cup campaign, joined Neil Lennon's side on a one-year contract on Saturday and made his debut as a substitute in Hibs' 2-0 win against St Mirren.

The 28-year-old signed from St Johnstone last summer but had been keen to secure a move closer to his family in the central belt. McIntyre says it left him with no choice but to grant Graham his wish, with County set to pocket a nominal fee if the Edinburgh club is promoted to the Scottish Premiership.

McIntyre said: “Brian expressed a couple of weeks ago he wanted to go back to the central belt. Sometimes I've just got to look at the human side.

“I can maybe tell a player he's not going anywhere but then I don't get the same value from him, although Brian gave us everything while he was here.

“He was an important member of the squad but he also wanted more starts, which we couldn't guarantee him.

“Both parties were happy to do a deal.

“He's gone to a fantastic club in Hibs, albeit in the Championship.

“There will be a small fee there if Hibernian are promoted. It's very rare that transfer fees are paid for players now.”

The loss of Graham did not affect County on Saturday as the Staggies secured a 2-0 win against Kilmarnock thanks to a double from in-form attacker Liam Boyce. The Northern Irishman was the Dingwall side's leading scorer last season with 20 goals but missed out on a place in Michael O'Neill's Euro 2016 squad despite commanding a place in the side throughout the majority of the campaign.

Boyce has netted five goals in his last two games and McIntyre praised his response to the setback, adding: “I wasn't concerned about an adverse reaction from Liam after missing out on the Euros.

“His wife had just given birth and it gave him time to spend with his family. He was very disappointed not to go but he is certainly looking really fresh.

“He will get all the attention with the goals but Liam will be the first to compliment his team-mates on creating the chances for him.”