Ross County chief executive Steven Ferguson says Declan Gallagher was club’s top priority as Staggies set about building a squad to bring Championship title back to Dingwall
Ross County chief executive Steven Ferguson says the club’s first signing of the summer Declan Gallagher was priority number one as the Staggies look to rebuild a squad to challenge for the Championship title.
The nine-cap Scotland international was confirmed as a County player this morning following his release from Dundee United, where he made 40 appearances across all competitions last season for a side that finished fourth in the Premiership.
Ferguson was delighted to get the deal over the line amidst interest from other clubs, believing that the 34-year-old can play a crucial role in what will hopefully be a title bid in Dingwall.
“We felt that in a rebuild, the first one in the door was always going to be really important,” Ferguson explained.
“A number of clubs were after Declan so for us to be able to get the deal done and get him up to Dingwall was a big one for us. It shows our intentions that we want to go and win the Championship this season.
“It’s important to be able to attract the best players out there who are available. With Declan being available and getting that done, we worked hard to get it over the line.
“It’s a challenge recruiting players, and getting the right ones to Dingwall, but when players like Declan become available and you have the chance to bring him up you don’t want to miss it.
“We felt we needed a character like Declan in our group, not only for what he brings but for how he leads others and brings people along with him.
“We’ve got a list of four or five targets, and Declan was the priority. He was the one that we wanted to get over the line, and we’ve managed to do that.”
With seven players’ loans coming to an end, seven more players leaving at the end of their contracts – with only George Robesten and Andrew Macleod’s futures still to be resolved – and Josh Nisbet exercising a relegation clause in his contract to leave, it looks set to be a typically busy summer in terms of comings and goings in Dingwall.
Ferguson believes the existing group of players provide a shell of a squad that should be capable of competing at the top of Scotland’s second tier, particularly when bolstered by additions like Gallagher.
He also remains in discussions with both further potential new signings, and members of the current squad who may be looking to follow Nisbet’s lead out the exit door in Dingwall.
“There is always a big turnaround at the end of every season, historically it has been like that and it will be like that in the future,” Ferguson added.
“We do have a number of players in contract, and we feel we’ve got the nucleus of a squad already in the building that is good enough to win the Championship, so we have to make sure that any player we bring in is going to enhance that group and is going to play in our team.
“Our goal will be to try and get another couple in, maybe three or four, that would strengthen our group. If we’re able to do that before pre-season, then it obviously gives us time to bed players in before the season starts.
“Everybody knows that recruitment can sometimes be a bit of a waiting game to get the ones you want, but we have identified targets and areas of the pitch that we need to strengthen in, and we will be working to get as many of those targets in the building as soon as possible.
“A lot of players are on holidays, which is understandable, and then usually these discussions happen while they are away and decisions are made once they are back.
“We’re having discussions with the current group as well, and with those it’s just about making sure that it’s right for both parties.
”The only thing we’re interested in is people who want to play for Ross County and try to win the Championship with us next season.
“That’s the sole focus, and so far everything has aligned that the players in contract are making noises that they want to be part of it, and win the Championship for the football club and as a bit of retribution after getting relegated last season.”
