Ross County midfielder Jackson Irvine will not let speculation about his future distract him, following a failed bid from English Championship side Burton Albion earlier this month.
The Brewers’ £150,000 bid was knocked back with County manager Jim McIntyre and chairman Roy MacGregor issuing hands off warnings.
The Australia international is contracted to Victoria Park until next summer, and although flattered by Burton’s interest, Irvine will remain focused on playing for the Dingwall side.
Irvine said: “There’s been no communication about Burton Albion – it’s between the two clubs. I was made aware of the bid being rejected and if the time comes when a bid is accepted, then I’ll deal with it then. Until anything like that arises, my focus is getting back out and playing.
“It’s a matter of preparing for the reality, which is I’m a Ross County player. I’ve got another year on my contract and I’m happy to see it out. It’s a compliment to attract interest from that sort of level – Burton have been successful over the last couple of years, similar to Ross County in some ways in the way they’ve made it up through the leagues.
“It’s very flattering and should be a compliment to every player because of the way we played last season.”
Irvine joined County permanently last summer, having enjoyed a successful loan spell from Celtic the previous season.
The 23-year-old impressed last term, with a man of the match display in the 2-1 League Cup final victory against Hibernian in March one of several fine performances which led to him being capped by Australia in friendlies against England and Greece earlier this month.
Irvine believes the move to the Highlands has been crucial in his development, and added: “When I look back at the time I was on loan at Kilmarnock and the first half of my season on loan at Ross County, I have definitely improved as a player. A lot of it is to do with being physically and mentally adjusted to the league. Experience is something no player can buy.”