The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Tremarco out to claim spot in Staggies first 11
County: Defender is ‘not just here to make up numbers’
Carl Tremarco insists he has not joined Ross County to make up the numbers after being let go by rivals Caley Thistle.
English defender Tremarco has signed a one-year deal at Victoria Park, having been released by Inverness earlier this summer.
That ended a seven-year stint in which Tremarco made 204 appearances for the Caley Jags and won the Scottish Cup in 2015.
The 34-year-old returns to the Premiership three years after being relegated with Inverness and the left-back feels he has plenty still to offer in the top flight.
Tremarco said: “It was the perfect fit for me. I said early doors I was committed to staying up here, the family are settled.
“To me it was a no-brainer. It took a bit of time to get here, but thankfully we have eventually got it over the line.
“I can bring experience. Playing as long as I have, I have obviously done something right along the years to keep going as long as I have done.
“I’m not just coming here to be a bit-part player, I’m coming here to play every week.
“I want to finish as high as we can in the league.”
Staggies manager Stuart Kettlewell says Tremarco will have a key role to play on and off the field, including helping to nurture 18-year-old Josh Reid who had previously been the only left-back at the club.
Kettlewell said: “Carl has great experience in the game. He has played at some very good levels and everybody knows his talents.
“As well as being a player here, Carl will be able to use his experience in helping to develop our youngsters including Josh Reid who plays in a similar position and Carl will be a wise, older head in the camp.
“It’s no secret we were looking to strengthen in the full back areas and we feel we have now done that and managed to bring in the right amount of quality and experience going in to the new season.”
Kettlewell insists he will not be scared to hand Reid his chance, adding: “I’ll probably sound as if I’m heaping loads of pressure on him, but there has to be an element of pressure that comes with it for young players. If we believe in them, they have to believe in themselves.
“The demands will only increase for Josh but he’s hitting all the marks we’re asking him to hit.
“He doesn’t look out of place and he looks as if he can mix with that sort of company.
“He’s where I’d like him to be and probably a wee bit beyond that. The big challenge for him is trying to sustain that. There’s always going to be a point where he’ll hit a lull. I’ve never seen a scenario where that’s not the case with a young player.
“I certainly don’t want to be putting blocks in his way where he can’t fulfil his potential.
“He’s showing all the right signs as it stands just now.”