Ross County manager Jim McIntyre believes new signing Marcus Fraser is a ready-made replacement for defender Lewis Toshney, who has been released by the Dingwall club.
Fraser yesterday joined the Staggies until the end of the season after leaving Celtic earlier this month, with the 20-year-old impressing in two trial stints at Victoria Park.
The defender played just twice for the Hoops, including the second-half of a 3-1 Europa League win against French club Rennes at Parkhead in 2011, before spending the first half of this season on loan at Championship side Cowdenbeath, where he made 13 appearances.
Fraser’s arrival came on same day McIntyre confirmed defender Toshney will not have his contract renewed when it expires at the end of this month.
Toshney joined the Staggies on a short-term contract in September, but despite initially impressing he struggled to retain his place at right back, with Saturday’s 3-1 defeat against St Mirren his first start since November.
McIntyre said: “Marcus can play centre half or full back, but I see him more as a full back.
“He gives us cover and competition there with us deciding not to renew Lewis’ deal.
“Marcus has done particularly well when he has trained with us. I also watched him against Rangers while he was on loan at Cowdenbeath.
“He was up against Kenny Miller and Kris Boyd and did very well.
“I feel he can offer us something extra defensively.”
Saturday’s loss against the Buddies means County are now three points adrift at the foot of the Premiership, and following nine defeats in 10 home league matches McIntyre fully understands the frustration of supporters.
The former Dunfermline and Queen of the South manager believes his squad must do more to earn the backing of supporters, and added: “They deserve better than what we’re producing at home. It’s up to me and the players to give them better.
“Supporters aren’t just going to get off their backsides and start supporting their team. They need us to give them something. On Saturday, we did not.
“Although we had good chances in the second half, St Mirren could have been out of sight by then.
“The supporters can play a huge part for us, but we need to give them something in order for them to give us double back, and they’ve not been given enough in the last three or four home matches.
“The last two home games in particular have been well short of the mark and I’m not going to hide from that. We need to stand up and be counted to get the home support right behind us.
“We need the supporters – they are vital at Dingwall – but we’ve got to give them a performance to be proud of.”
McIntyre has dismissed speculation linking defender Scott Boyd with a move to Motherwell, insisting the 28-year-old is going nowhere.