Staggies Kiss and tell over Filip appeal
ROSS COUNTY have slapped in an appeal to free up Filip Kiss for the final game of the season.
The playmaker was sent packing for a stray elbow against Hamilton on Saturday but Jim McIntyre says he should be cleared to take his bow at Kilmarnock this weekend before returning to Cardiff.
He said: “It’s not a red card so we have appealed it. There’s just nothing in it at all. It could have harmed us against Accies but we stayed positive, stuck with two up and managed to get the goal in the last five minutes.
“Both guys have their elbow out. There’s not any swing or catching each other in the face. They were just holding each other off.
“It is one of those decisions that is quite baffling to be honest. I couldn’t see anything in it. Filip was adamant and very angry when he came off and that, generally, is a good indication.
“He’s a very honest lad and there is absolutely nothing in the footage so I don’t know why he has been sent off for violent conduct. We’ve appealed it and hopefully the powers that be will see that.”
McIntyre would love to persuade Kiss to return next season and having secured Premiership safety the midfielder is one of a number of out- of- contract stars the Staggies gaffer is determined to tie down on new deals.
McIntrye added: “Contracts are the big priority now. That’s part of the job, trying to retain players. It’s an ongoing process and that will happen in the next week or two.” Sykes as their head of physical performance in order to drastically improve the fitness and physicality of their players.
And having worked with Sykes at Hearts, Locke is convinced he can work his magic in Ayrshire.
He said: “I had to sacrifice a wage to bring in David Sykes. Sports science is one area where, as a football club, we have been miles behind anyone else.
“David’s coming in as the head of physical performance and it’s the sports science side of the club where I worked closely with him at Hearts and saw the improvement among the younger players there.
“Hopefully he can come here and do the same.”
Locke was pleased to have secured contract extensions for talented young trio David Syme, Jack Whittaker and Dean Hawkshaw.
He added: “I was looking to tie players up a while ago but it was difficult because of the way results were going.
“But we’re there now so I can hopefully start moving the club in the direction I want it to go in.”