Business as usual amid the Rangers chaos
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DEREK Adams diplomatically sidestepped questions regarding Rangers and the seismic implications of their SPL demise.
But the Ross County manager believes his own club’s financial rigour means it is business as usual for the newly-promoted outfit.
Adams is seeking to strengthen his current group of 22 players, particularly in defensive areas where Gary Miller, Johnny Flynn and Scott Morrison have all moved on.
But he stressed: "It’s very quiet. We’re looking for defenders but there is nothing in the pipeline at the moment.
"We are pretty well manned in midfield and attack, but we are always looking. If we have the opportunity to take in somebody good, we’ll do that.
"There is not a lot of activity in the Scottish Premier League as a whole. We’ve taken in three players including one on loan and other clubs haven’t taken in many either.
"It’s a difficult environment we are all in. But we’re working to a set budget and that is unaffected by the Rangers situation. That situation doesn’t really concern us.
"We know what we have and we’re working to that. The TV deal is still there for the next year and we all know what we have to spend.
"It is future seasons that people will have to look at. Maybe other clubs are cutting down for next season, as well as this one.
"We’re just delighted to be in the SPL and feel we can be very competitive.
"The decision (on Rangers) has been made but the one that counts for us is that we achieved promotion and we play on August 4."
After beating Brora Rangers 3-1 on Wednesday, County make the trip to play Turriff tomorrow (Saturday).
GRANT Munro believes the return of Highland derbies will render Ross County immune from the carnage wrought by Rangers’ dramatic expulsion from the Scottish Premier League.
The fallen Ibrox giants received the ultimate sanction for gross financial mismanagement on Wednesday as top flight clubs rejected the "Newco" application to rejoin the SPL.
Financial repercussions across the Scottish game could be massive in terms of lost income and imperilled television deals.
But chairmen, including County’s Roy MacGregor, stood firm against cash fears and upheld the will of a vast majority of supporters enraged by Rangers’ past actions.
Munro makes no pretence of holding any expertise in the ins and outs of the broader financial picture. But the County defender, who joined last summer in the push for historic success, believes the return of the big north fixture will give both the clubs and the beleaguered SPL a terrific boost.
For County and Caley Thistle, the prospect of full houses and packed hospitality suites on derby day certainly offsets the absence of two big Rangers fixtures.
At Inverness, latterly, some of the buzz and excitement of Old Firm visits seemed to have ebbed, with empty spaces in the ground evident for those televised matches.
In contrast, there will not be a spare seat in the house when Inverness and County clash for the first time in the SPL on October 6 and then again at Victoria Park on January 2. Munro is relishing every challenge this season but admits the derbies will be mouth-watering occasions.
The 31-year-old, who made over 350 appearances for Caley Thistle in a 17-year association, said: "Losing Rangers is obviously disappointing but every game, for us, is one to look forward to. The Highland derbies will be special. It is a new phenomenon for the SPL – a great thing for the league, especially in current circumstances.
"It is no secret there is a big cloud hanging over the SPL and Ross County and Caley Thistle are that wee bit of sunshine breaking through. If both clubs do the Highland derby justice, it will be a tremendous advert for the Scottish Premier League.
"Our fans and theirs will turn out in force. Ask the Hearts and Hibs fans and the Dundee teams – there is nothing better."
Munro stressed that, for Ross County, every game in the SPL will be one to relish.
He said: "They are all huge games and I certainly never take these things for granted. Every season could be your last at this level."
Munro was axed at Caley Thistle just over a year ago. While it was a bitter pill to swallow after so long, the big centre half’s reaction has been exemplary. A year on, he is back in the top division having crossed the derby divide and played a huge part in the title success.
Munro said: "This time last year, I was just looking forward to starting out with County.
"The ambition was to win promotion and it worked out so well. The boys were fantastic.
"It is always a gamble joining a new club but I looked at the squad from the previous year and wondered why they were not challenging.
"The new boys came in and everyone gelled really quickly. It just went from there. Now we’re all just raring to go again at the new Victoria Park, which is looking amazing."
Munro also loves the fact that County will be written off as relegation fodder before a ball is kicked. He said: "We know the sort of standard we will encounter and we won’t be intimidated. It just requires a bit more concentration and organisation.
"Obviously, we will be favourites to go down. That’s part and parcel when you win the First Division and Dunfermline had it tough last year. You aim for 11th and anywhere you finish above there is a great bonus."
Last season, Munro savoured his third First Division title success having won promotion twice before at Inverness.
He well remembers Caley Thistle’s very first SPL match at Livingston, where the new boys were turned over 3-0.
"There will be no panic at Ross County if the first game doesn’t go well. We won’t get down or be disheartened.
"There is belief amongst the boys in the squad and the manager keeps driving that into us. Hopefully, we can surprise a few teams." Munro is now one of five ex-Caley Thistle players at Victoria Park along with Russell Duncan, Michael Fraser, Iain Vigurs and Ross Tokely.
The last in the list was, of course, the most controversial among diehard Staggies who remember his combative battles against County.
Munro, though, has no doubts that Tokely will swiftly win over the Dingwall faithful.
He said: "When that sort of player becomes available, especially up here in the Highlands, you can’t turn the opportunity down.
"Ross played 30-odd games in the SPL last year for Inverness and has performed at that level for six or seven years.
"He has huge experience and he is a winner – exactly the sort of guy you want in your team."
