FIRST INTERVIEW: Derek Adams explains why he came back to Ross County
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DEREK Adams says having the opportunity to manage Ross County in the Premiership was the main reason he returned to the club.
The 48-year-old was officially unveiled as the new manager of the Staggies on a rolling contract deal.
Adams resigned as manager of English League Two outfit Morecambe to return to the club he was previously manager between 2007 to 2010 as well as 2011 to 2014.
Speaking at his first press conference on Monday, Adams says he wants to help Ross County move forward as a club and also help them realise their full potential.
"Ross County is a football club I understand, from the people around about it, the chairman Roy MacGregor, the CEO, Steven Ferguson.
"Being in the Premiership is also a big pull. That's the main reason I wanted to come back. To have that opportunity is great.
"I want to move the football club forward. Can we finish as a top six team on a regular basis?
"That is difficult. We understand that. There have only been a few times in its history its been achieved.
"Can we possibly qualify for European football? That's something we've got to strive for because Ross County as a club never thought it would get out of the Highland League never mind get into the Premiership.
"We always want to strive on and push for success."
Adams' first game on his return to Ross County will be against Kilmarnock at the Global Energy Stadium on Saturday.
He says his immediate target will be to get a victory on Saturday and end their winless run of nine matches.
"It's about winning football matches. It's about getting those three points.
"We have Kilmarnock on Saturday, so it's about winning the next games.
"The group of players we have will be hungry and ready to go. I have to work out a way of getting the positive results quite quickly."
Adams says he has some idea of the squad currently at Ross County, but is looking forward to putting them through their paces in training this week.
"I have looked at the squad from a personal point of view but on the training field I will get a better feel for it.
"When you come up against different opposition, you have to look at their strengths and weaknesses and how we can get the better of them."
After leaving Ross County in 2014, Adams moved to England and became manager of Plymouth Argyle, Bradford City and Morecambe twice before returning to Ross County.
He says during his time in England he has learned a lot about progressing as a manager.
"When you go to England, it is very difficult as a Scottish manager. It's not easy.
"You have to quickly understand the football club. I was at Plymouth, Morecambe and Bradford City.
"You have to understand the supporters. I understood the supporters at most clubs. There was probably one club I didn't get to understand.
"I have to get this football club moving in a positive direction.
"I know Leagues One and Two in England. In my time in England, we developed a lot of players over a period of time. You can see this season the amount of loan players at Morecambe. Five have been international players and we had games called off because of that.
"I have a vast knowledge of that market, which can help us in the transfer market, be it in January or the new season.
You don't last nine years in England if you're not successful.
"English football is really difficult. You only have to look at how many Scottish managers go to England and quite quickly they come back up the road.
"There are not many Scottish managers in England these days. It's a difficult market to be in.
"I am a better manager now than when I left because of that experience.
"I am probably a bit more mellow than I was before. A wee bit.
"When you are more experienced, you take on board things and listen.
"When you are a younger coach or manager, it is your way you're going to go and you maybe don't listen to people. I listen to people a lot more these days.
"It doesn't mean I always take on what they're saying but the advice I am given I then have to weigh up and ask is it the right thing to do."
