The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Transfers in and out as County chase title
Staggies shuffle pack
Ross County co-manager Steven Ferguson says the Staggies’ recent injury problems have forced them to dip into the transfer market earlier than expected.
County yesterday had a busy day of transfer activity at Victoria Park with defender Kenny van der Weg returning to the club and midfielder Lewis Spence joining from Dundee on 18-month deals.
The Staggies also confirmed two departures, with midfielder Tony Dingwall released from his contract and expected to join League 1 side Raith Rovers, while winger Davis Keillor-Dunn has been loaned out to Championship rivals Falkirk for the rest of the season.
County have suffered from a horrendous succession of injuries in recent weeks, with defenders Liam Fontaine, Callum Morris, Stelios Demetriou and Sean Kelly sidelined, along with midfielder Iain Vigurs, and Ferguson says he and fellow co-manager Stuart Kettlewell have been forced to seek reinforcements.
Ferguson said: “Four or five weeks ago, we were looking at the transfer window and thinking we were actually not in a bad position. We felt some of the players who were injured would be back by January but what has happened is some have taken longer and we’ve picked up more injuries. Stuart and I looked at it and felt there was such a long way to go in this campaign, and we were a little bit bare. We’ve acted quickly to put something in place.”
Dutchman Van der Weg returns to County having previously made 59 appearances during an 18-month stint before leaving to join Hamilton Accies last January. The 27-year-old spent the first six months of this season with Belgian club Roeselare. Spence, 22, joins the Staggies following his departure from Dundee, who he joined from Dunfermline in 2017.
Both players could play in tomorrow’s Championship fixture away to Queen of the South should they receive international clearance, and Ferguson added: “Of course it helps Kenny is a known quantity. That makes the bedding in transition really simple and quick.
“Lewis is a young guy with real desire and hunger to do well. That will be a simple enough transition.”
Ferguson also confirmed Michael Gardyne has been subject to an inquiry from Dundee, who are managed by former Staggies boss Jim McIntyre, but the winger has indicated he is keen to remain at Victoria Park.
Former Ross County captain Andrew Davies, who left Hartlepool United earlier this week, joined Dundee on an 18 month deal yesterday.
Midfielder Lewis Spence is relieved to have secured his future with new club Ross County so quickly after leaving Premiership side Dundee.
Spence yesterday signed an 18-month deal with the Staggies after agreeing his release from the Dark Blues on Wednesday night.
The 22-year-old is awaiting clearance before he is available to play in tomorrow’s Championship trip to Queen of the South.
Spence had been told he was free to leave Dens Park by former County boss Jim McIntyre but says he was quickly made to feel wanted by Staggies co-managers Stuart Kettlewell and Steven Ferguson.
Spence said: “I left Dundee on Wednesday night, I signed all the stuff to terminate my contract before getting all this done.
“Obviously the new manager has come in and I’m just not his cup of tea. That’s football, there’s no hard feelings.
“I’m not bitter, he told me straight up. I’m happy to just sign with another team.
“One of the main things about the managers here was how they really wanted me to come in.
“When I came up here a couple of days ago for a few chats, I felt really good about the place.
“When somebody is wanting you that much, it made my decision really easy.
“I’m really happy to get on the training park now and get playing.”
Spence made 37 appearances in 18 months after joining Dundee from Dunfermline in summer 2017, and despite getting a taste of top-flight football the Kirkcaldy-born player insists he has no qualms about stepping back down to the Championship.
He added: “It’s a step down a league but Ross County were in the Premiership last season, so I don’t really see it that way.
“We are top of the league and obviously we want to stay there and win the league. “It’s a club going up, the facilities are great – probably one of the best in Scotland outside Celtic and Rangers. “I enjoyed my first season at Dundee under Neil McCann when I played more games. It was not the greatest season as a club, but personally I enjoyed playing in the Premiership for the first time.
“In the last two years I have been in a relegation battle.
“Now, on the flip side, I’m in a team that’s got a winning mentality and top of the league.
“We are going for something and we’re in the semi-final of another cup as well.
“I’ve not really had that in my career – going for the title instead of trying to scrape at the bottom. That’s a big thing.”