New Ross County striker Kieran Phillips brings ‘different profile’ to attacking options in Dingwall, says Staggies manager Don Cowie
Ross County manager Don Cowie hopes latest signing Kieran Phillips will add a different dimension to the side’s attack.
Playing for Sacramento Republic in the second tier of US soccer, Phillips scored 15 goals in 31 appearances, coming on to County’s radar last summer.
However, they had to wait for his loan spell on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean to make their move, and Cowie is delighted to finally have Phillips in his ranks.
“Kieran came in with a different profile to the centre forwards we have got right now,” Cowie explained.
“He comes here on the back of a really good loan spell in America. He’s mobile and has pace in behind, and I think he complements what we’ve got really well.
“We are delighted he’s here now. He has had a lot of loan moves, but he now joins us and it's a home.
“He was really eager to come and he’s looking forward to it. I had a good chat with him when he first arrived and he is just really excited about playing in a new league, a platform to show everyone what he is capable of doing.
“He didn’t get that opportunity at Huddersfield, but he will certainly get that here with us.
“His profile is really good. He is physical to look at, but his main strength is he wants to play on the last shoulder and get in behind teams.
“Ronan is similar in terms of being sharp and wants to run in behind, but I definitely think with Kieran there’s a bit more pace.
“It gives us a really good balance now in terms of the options that we have there.”
Cowie also confirmed that after discussions with their parent clubs, Kacper Lopata and Eli Campbell will see out the rest of the 2024/25 season on loan in Dingwall.
Aidan Denholm’s temporary stay had earlier been cut short due to injury, and with Nohan Kenneh’s arrival from Hibernian on New Year’s Day the Staggies have one loan slot left for potential further movement.
While Cowie has not ruled out further additions, one current member of his squad will be staying at the club for the rest of the season after goalkeeper Jordan Amissah signed a contract extension until the summer.
“He has grabbed his opportunity really well,” Cowie added.
“It has coincided with the results we have had. I think he would be first to admit in the four games, the way the group has defended in front of him and the work that has gone into performances, he has not actually had too much to do.
“He has really embraced it. We spoke about extending his deal and it has happened very quickly, which shops how eager he is to stay with us. I’m delighted to get that sorted so early.
“He hasn’t played a lot of senior football. HIs first game against Dundee, in terms of what was in front of him – an excellent team performance – meant that he was not exposed to too much.
“It was a really good debut in terms of bedding into playing for us in the league and it has just grown from there. Hopefully he can continue what he’s doing.”
