Ross County manager Jim McIntyre has challenged midfielders Chris Routis and Ian McShane to grasp their opportunity following Jackson Irvine’s departure to Burton Albion.
Australia international Irvine left the Staggies last Friday to join the newly-promoted English Championship side for £300,000 fee.
McIntyre is on the lookout for a replacement for Irvine but has also called on Routis, who joined from Bradford City in the summer, and former Queen of the South player McShane to show they are worthy of partnering Martin Woods at the heart of the Staggies’ midfield.
McIntyre said: “We’ve got good players here in midfield – Ian McShane and Chris Routis are both champing at the bit. It’s up to them to go and stake a claim and show they’ve got the quality to play week in, week out.
“They wouldn’t be in the dressing-room if I didn’t think they could.
“Jackson will be a loss – there’s not many midfielders of his type who can break at pace and leave opponents. That’s why he’s been sought-after and he’s got his move to the English Championship.
“We wish him all the best – he did tremendously well for us. I think we were good for each other, he’ll be the first to admit that, and I’m sure he’ll go on and do well.”
McIntyre has made five signings this summer but is still targeting further additions before the end of the transfer window.
He said: “There’s a couple of positions I would still like to strengthen but it needs to be the right player and, more importantly, the right type to fit in with the good group we already have.
“We’ll keep working away on that and if we can find that bit of quality to enhance what we have we’ll be in the market for that.”