The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Staggies stronger with key midfield signings
Dow and Burke increase options
Ross County manager Jim Mc I n t y r e reckons increased competition will bring the best out of his midfielders following the signings of Ryan Dow and Chris Burke.
Former Rangers and Scotland player Burke becameCounty’s second signing outwith the transfer window onTuesday following the capture of Dow earlier this month.
Dow, pictured, has yet to make the bench after being sidelined for much of last season with a groin injury at Dundee United.
The25-year-old is closing in on first-team involvement, however, after playing 70 minutes in the Development League team’s 1- 0 win against Celtic last week.
McIntyre believes Burke is ready to compete for a midfield berth with Michael Gardyne and Jonathan Franks, who have occupied the positions for most of the season, and said: “I made no secret of the fact we needed more from the wide areas, more competition especially, which puts pressure on the players we already have here.
“I knewwhen I let a couple of players move on in the window we were leaving ourselves slightly short, but I was always confident I could get good additions in and in Ryan and Chris we have.
“Competition which puts pressure on the players we already have”
“We have signed very good footballers, who can make things happen and can create and score goals. “Chris needs games . He trained for a number of weeks at Kilmarnock and at Sheffield United. We need to get him up to speed as quickly as possible, a bit like Ryan, although the good thing is Chris isn’t coming back from an injury. He will get there quicker.”
McIntyre reckons Tony Dingwall has also played his way back into contention after impressing in training.
The Staggies manager told Dingwall to make more impact, warning the 22- year- old midfielder faced a make- or- break season, with his contract up next summer.
Dingwall has shown the desired response and the manager added: “Tony has come right back into our thoughts because he has got his act together and shown up well in training and when he’s come on in games. The opportunity is there for him.”