Ross County manager Jim McIntyre has challenged talented trio Tony Dingwall, Kyle Macleod and Steven Ross to force their way into his first-team plans.
McIntyre brought on Dingwall during Saturday’s 2-2 draw at St Mirren for what was the midfielder’s second senior appearance.
The Staggies manager has been impressed by Dingwall, 20, as well as the player’s fellow youngsters Macleod and Ross.
Despite the large size of County’s first-team squad, Mc-Intyre has promised to give youngsters their opportunity and wants to see the three players take their chance.
He said: “Tony Dingwall has been doing well. As soon as Billy Dodds arrived we had him and Kyle Macleod training with us. Along with Steven Ross, they are three young players we think have a chance.
“For any young player here, what they’ve got is a chance and it’s up to them to take it. Tony fully merited his place on the bench and certainly didn’t look out of place when he came on. I thought he had some nice touches and showed composure. He has a lot of belief in himself. You never want to put too much pressure on them too early but I’m hopeful. He has a chance of getting more game time.
“The bottom line is I have to pick the team depending on what the opposition is, how well the player has been doing and what type of form he is in. Tony is there on merit.”
The Staggies manager is still aggrieved his side did not take all three points at St Mirren on Saturday but hopes the performance will galvanise his squad. County were denied a 2-0 lead against the Buddies when Michael Gardyne’s strike was wrongly ruled offside.
McIntyre added: “Psychologically it was huge for the players’ mindsets. We could have gone six points behind early in the season but we went to Paisley and put on a very good performance.
“I was pleased about how they reacted after we lost goals at terrible times.”