Ross County co-manager Steven Ferguson believes new arrivals Daniel Armstrong and Callum Semple can use their moves to Victoria Park as a stepping stone to a higher level.
Raith Rovers winger Armstrong, 21, and Sheffield United defender Semple, 20, both completed moves to the Dingwall club yesterday on 18-month deals, and could make their debuts in Saturday’s Championship match at home to Alloa Athletic.
Ferguson feels County can benefit from the determination of both players to fulfill their ambitions, and he said: “It is good for our football club we’re able to attract talented young players like that, who have the hunger and desire – everything Stuart Kettlewell and I are looking for. It’s exciting.
“We’re looking forward to working with them. They complement the group we already have and they’ll bring something extra to the table. They’ll give us options we’ve maybe not had over the last six or seven weeks.
“If they can move on to the next level, we’ll reap the benefits from that in terms of high-level performances in games for us.
“These two fit that bill. We feel we have a good nucleus of good, experienced pros at the club and adding that little bit of youthful exuberance makes it a good mix.”
Armstrong’s switch to Dingwall comes after impressing during a short stint at Raith, in which he netted five goals in 11 matches, and Ferguson is confident the former Wolves player is ready for the step up.
Ferguson added: “Daniel is an offensive creative wide player, left-sided, who was down at Wolves. He went up to Stark’s Park and lit up Raith Rovers in League 1 for 11 games.
“He is one a lot of people have been looking at and we’re delighted to get a hold of him. He’s looking to kick on and we hope we can give him the platform he wants. He’s a really exciting one.”
Semple spent the opening half of this season on loan at Championship rivals Queen of the South, where he played 27 games before returning to the Blades at the start of this month.
Ferguson hopes Semple can pick up from where he left off with the Doonhamers, having been made free to leave his hometown club, adding: “Big Callum is a dominant centre-back who was schooled at Sheffield United and came all the way through their system.
“He got some league experience with Queen of the South in the first part of the season, playing 27 games for them up until his loan ended there.
“We’ve moved pretty quickly to secure his services as well.
“At 20 years of age, he’s another one that’s exciting for us. Both of the lads have huge potential and we just hope we can give them the potential to fulfil that potential.”
