Ross County co-manager Steven Ferguson says there could be scope for one further addition at Victoria Park after the Staggies’ training camp in Holland.
The Staggies were last night defeated 2-0 by Dutch Eredivisie side FC Utrecht at Sportpark Thorbecke, having fallen to defeat by the same scoreline against Belgian side Sint-Truiden in Doorwerth on Wednesday.
The five-day camp has allowed Ferguson and fellow co-manager Stuart Kettlewell to integrate their eight new signings into the squad and, although the Staggies could bring another player in, Ferguson has been thrilled with the way the current 22-man squad has come together.
Ferguson said: “We’re still looking at that and there’s still a possibility but as it stands there’s nothing concrete.
“We can’t speak highly enough of our group, not only on the pitch but off it – and not just in a football sense, but in a personal sense. They’ve been a real pleasure to work with.”
Former Dundee United player Ryan Dow impressed for the Staggies up front in both matches and Ferguson confirmed the management team view him as a striking option, having been deployed as a winger since being brought to the club by Jim McIntyre in 2016.
Ferguson added: “We see a very definite role for him. Ryan started in that number 10 role and looked bright and sharp.
“Ryan will hopefully bring something to the table next season our supporters haven’t seen a great deal of. But Dundee United supporters will have seen it – it’s a not a position that’s new to Ryan.
“He has just not often been utilised in there. We’re delighted with him.”
County impressed in defeat by Utrecht, who finished fifth in the Dutch top flight last season, and Ferguson feels his players will reap the benefits of the five-day camp.
He added: “It has just rounded off what we feel has been a fantastic five days. We knew the opposition was going to be a real test, but we’re delighted in what we saw regarding how we combated such a top-class side.
“Our organisation, discipline and our willingness to try to play through that was really good.
“The players increased their minutes, fitness was good and shape was good. Speaking to the physio, nobody has picked up any injuries and there’s been no ordeals regarding sendings off.
“As far as we concerned, it has been a really worthwhile trip playing a couple of Premier League teams from Belgium and Holland.
“I feel it was a great opportunity for the guys to start to gel as a unit.”
Match focus, Pages 54, 55
