Key to Staggies season will be how they replace Jackson
OVERVIEW
COUNTY have made some signings, typically building their squad up as they go along, but it was the sale they made over the summer which impressed me.
I think they did a great job getting in £300,000 – very good money these days – from the sale of Jackson Irvine to Burton Albion.
Of course, that does leave them with the problem of having to replace one of their mostinfluential players.
I’d guess the coaching staff will have that matter in hand, and that we will either see a new face brought in or one of their existing centre-backs moved forward into that role, so the team is not too badly affected.
MANAGER
THE Staggies’ first major honour, plus the accolade of Scottish Football Writers’ Manager of the Year, were Jim McIntyre’s rewards for a fine campaign last season.
And with him at the helm, plus great backing from chairman Roy McGregor, I see no reason 201617 can’t be another successful season for the 44-year-old.
Their defence of the League Cup is already over, but I believe that to be just a blip.
Jim proved himself a talented coach right from the off in Dingwall, making a big difference when he came in two seasons ago to steer the club to safety.
Last season they achieved their aim of making it into the top six, albeit they had to wait until the final day of the regulation season to clinch their place.
As often happens, they actually ended up with fewer points than their Highland rivals Inverness Caley Thistle, who were in the bottom half after the split.
It might look bad, but is down to the quality of opposition you are up against and won’t have concerned Jim over much.
MOST-IMPORTANT PLAYER
AS his tally of 20 goals last season indicates, Liam Boyce is an excellent finisher.
And like a lot of strikers, he is at his most dangerous when his confidence is high.
From the middle of August to the start of October, he hit 11 goals in nine games, which was a remarkable run.
Even when not on that kind of hot streak, the Northern Ireland internationalist has the ability to make any defender pay for underestimating him.
FINISHING POSITION
FIFTH.