The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Burke’s County chance to shine
Former Scotland man happy to be back
Former Scotland midfielder Chris Burke is confident he has joined a club on the rise after signing for Ross County until the end of the season.
The one-time Rangers midfielder has been playing in the English Championship for Cardiff City, Birmingham City and Nottingham Forest since leaving Rangers in January 2009.
The 32-year-old, who has seven caps for Scotland, was a free agent after his release by Forest in the summer.
Burkewasunable to earn a deal after trials with Kilmarnock and Sheffield United, but is relishing the chance to resurrect his career and said: “Hopefully I can be successful at Ross County and contribute something to this team
“This is a club on the rise, with ambition, so everything is positive”
whohave alreadydoneever so well last season.
“We are looking to progress again this season. Some of the facilities are the same standard as at Championship clubs in England, which is fantastic. This is a club on the rise, with ambition, so everything is positive.
“If it goes well here, we’ll see what happens. I don’t want to think too far ahead. I need to get my match fitness up, play games and enjoy my football.
“It will be good to see the teams and the grounds again because I’ve been away for a long time.
“It’s going to be different, but familiar and I’m really looking forward to it.
“It is also more Saturday to Saturday here as well, ratherthanlots ofmidweek matches. In the Championship it is relentless with three games a week. It has been a while, but I’m looking forward to visiting the groundswhereI startedmy career.”
The signing of Burke ends County manager Jim McIntyre’s search for a wide midfielder, however he remainsopento the possibility of adding further free agents outwith the transfer window.
McIntyre said: “If there is a good player available then we will look. The wider area was the key area for us, where we needed to strengthen.
“I am delighted to get a signing of Chris’ calibre. He started at Rangers and made a significant impact downsouth. I amsurprised we could get him and he is exactly what we were looking for. We are still looking at one or two others and a central midfielder is still one I would look at.”