Ross County manager Jim McIntyre believes new signing Darvydas Sernas will thrive in Scotland after the Lithuania international attacker joined until the end of the season.
Sernas has joined from Polish side Wigry Suwalki, with the 30-year-old bringing plenty experience to Dingwall having also enjoyed spells playing in Turkey with Gaziantepspor and for Australian A-League side Perth Glory.
The attacker has played 35 times for Lithuania, scoring five goals, including one against then world champions Spain in a 3-1 European championship qualifier defeat in 2010.
Sernas requires international clearance with McIntyre confident of completing the deal before Saturday’s Highland derby against Caley Thistle.
McIntyre said: “He’s somebody we think can do well. He’s maybe a couple of weeks off the pace in terms of match-fitness as the Polish season shut down for its winter break on December 6.
“But we think he will be a key addition for us.
“He’s a forward with a wealth of experience and 30-odd caps for Lithuania. He’s played in a lot of big matches.
“He still had a contract with his last club, but he had an option to get out of it. He was recommended to us by a scout and we did a bit of homework, watched some footage and made some calls.
“We felt he could really add something to the team, so the platform is there for him.
“He’s played in the top league in Poland, which is a very good standard and he has a stint with Perth Glory in Australia last year, as well as being part of the Lithuania squad.
“We’re just waiting on clearance coming through, but that should be fine.”
Sernas becomes McIntyre’s fourth January addition, following Craig Curran, Cameron Burgess and Marcus Fraser to Victoria Park, however the Staggies manager is keen to bolster his squad even further before Monday’s transfer deadline.
McIntyre added: “We have a couple on trial we’re running the rule over, so we’ll see how they get on.”
McIntyre has challenged youngsters Tony Dingwall and Steven Ross to keep their places in the side, after the pair impressed in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Celtic.
McIntyre said: “Tony missed a spell with his broken hand but got his cast off the Wednesday before the Celtic game.
“With Steven Ross, we had a shortage in the middle of the park and that is the position we see him playing. We see him as a midfielder, not a forward. More importantly, Steven sees himself there.
“I thought they acquitted themselves well. When I give players a chance it’s up to them to take it, no matter whether they’re 18 or 28.
“Performances keep players in the team.”