Ross County midfielder Christopher Routis is determined to ease manager Jim McIntyre’s search for a replacement for Jackson Irvine by showing he can fill the void left by the Australian’s departure.
Routis joined the Staggies from English League One club Bradford City at the end of last season, just weeks before influential midfielder Irvine left to join Burton Albion in a £300,000 deal.
The loss of Irvine, along with Stewart Murdoch to Dundee United, left manager McIntyre with just three senior central midfielders, with Routis starting the first two matches of the Premiership campaign alongside Martin Woods.
Although McIntyre remains on the hunt for another midfielder before the end of the summer transfer window, Routis, who began his career as a defender, says he has had little time to settle as he looks to make an instant impression with the Dingwall club.
Routis, who impressed in Saturday’s 3-2 Highland derby victory against Caley Thistle, said: “Before Jackson left, the manager told me he wanted me to play in midfield.
“When Jackson left, we lost a really good player as I saw in the couple of weeks I played with him.
“Now there is an opportunity for me. I just want to take my chance and give my best every game to stay in the starting 11.
“I know I can improve, especially as it is a new position. The manager and Billy Dodds help me a lot.”
Routis’ arrival at Victoria Park earlier in the summer came after a two-year stint with Bradford, having previously played in Switzerland with Servette.
The 26-year-old says the move to Britain has forced him to sharpen up his game and he added: “Scottish football compares with English football. We have no time on the ball on the pitch. All teams press hard and it’s really different from football in France and Switzerland.
“It is really powerful and I have to always be 100% focused, for every minute of the game. If I relax for two minutes I’m in trouble.
“I like British football because I have to be ready to run and I have more chance to score and create assists because box-to-box play is really important.”
