Ross County are stepping up their efforts to strengthen their full back positions with Aaron McGowan and Richard Tait on their radar.
County have lost all their senior full backs during the summer, with skipper Marcus Fraser turning down a new deal, while Richard Foster and Sean Kelly were released.
County are believed to have tabled a deal for Englishman McGowan, who is a free agent after turning down a new deal with Premiership rivals Hamilton Accies last month.
The Staggies face competition from Kilmarnock who are also interested, as well as clubs south of the border.
The 23-year-old had been with Accies since joining from Morecambe in 2018, making 67 appearances for Brian Rice’s men.
The Staggies are also believed to have registered an interest in former Motherwell defender Tait, however Killie are also keen on the 30-year-old, with the Rugby Park side looking to replace Scotland international Stephen O’Donnell.
Staggies manager Stuart Kettlewell confirmed the full back positions are a clear focus of his summer transfer plans.
Kettlewell said: “It has been well documented about the guys who have left us of late.
“Marcus Fraser leaves a void, while we lost Richard Foster and Sean Kelly, so it’s clear to see there are a couple of areas we need to strengthen.
“We are actively looking at that just now like many other clubs.
“Fortunately we’ve had that backing to try and accelerate that process and get to a stage where can try and speak to players, and get our group together.”
Fraser opted to leave the Staggies after five-and-a-half years at Dingwall, with the defender turning down County’s offer of a new contract.
The 25-year-old became a mainstay of County’s side after being signed by Jim McIntyre from Celtic in 2015, with Kettlewell and former co-manager Steven Ferguson handing him the captain’s armband two years ago.
Kettlewell was full of praise for Fraser’s service to the Staggies, adding: “I’d like to pay tribute toe Marcus and the contribution he had to the football club over a number of years.
“He made almost 200 appearances for our club and was involved in winning a couple of trophies – one national trophy, a promotion and a Challenge Cup.
“We just couldn’t come to an agreement with Marcus and he obviously moves on now.
“But I think we are all on the same page with that one, he has been a terrific servant for the club.”
