Game of patience

Staggies: No rush on signing front for County manager

Ross County boss Jim McIntyre will show patience in the transfer market after the loss of leading scorer Liam Boyce. Boyce, who netted 24 goals in all competitions for the Dingwall men last season, left to join English Championship side Burton Albion in a £500,000 deal last week.

Ross County manager Jim McIntyre will show patience in the transfer market after the loss of leading scorer Liam Boyce.

Northern Ireland international Boyce, who netted 24 goals in all competitions for the Dingwall men last season, left to join English Championship side Burton Albion in a £500,000 deal last week.

County have added only former St Mirren and Wimbledon defender Sean Kelly so far this summer.

Although McIntyre feels his squad is still short, the Staggies manager says his budget remains the same, having been satisfied with the backing received from chairman Roy MacGregor and his board.

McIntyre said: “We’ve got a bit of work still to do in terms of the squad. We still need three or four players. We’ve had some frustration with some of the targets we’ve been after but that’s the same as any transfer window. It’s important we show patience and don’t just dive in. It has to be the right fit for the club.

“I’m confident we’ll get the types of player we need.

“Since the day I first came in here, the chairman has been a fantastic support – and that continues. He knows my thoughts on what we need to do.

“Does it make it harder when clubs and agents think we have loads of money to spend? Of course it does. We know what’s value-for-money, where we are and what we pay – and we’ll stick to that.”

McIntyre is not seeking a bigname replacement for Boyce given the faith he retains in his existing attackers, adding: “Everyone talks about us replacing Liam but we’ve got two really good forwards at our club already and an up-and-coming forward in Greg Morrison.

“Craig Curran, after his illness concerns, is back to his normal self, so we’re expecting a big season from him. Alex Schalk, who missed chunks of last season as well, has fantastic quality and knows where the goals are. I have great confidence both can get the goals required. Having said that, we know we need backup as well.”

County play their first pre-season friendly away to Elgin City on Saturday before flying to their La Manga training camp in Spain for matches against Spanish third-tier side Real Murcia next Tuesday, and French second-tier side Valenciennes a week tomorrow. The home friendly against St Mirren on July 12 will be played behind closed doors.

“It’s important we show patience and don’t dive in”