Head of recruitment says Ross County will look everywhere for new signings
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Ross County's new head of recruitment Greg Strong says the Staggies will look anywhere and everywhere for players to beat the competition to new signings.
Strong came into post for the club on January 1, just as the transfer window re-opened.
Having worked with Derek Adams south of the border at both Plymouth Argyle and Morecambe, the 48-year-old has a good idea already of what County's manager will be looking for in potential recruits.
It would be easy, given the pair's association in England's lower leagues, to assume that they will look to their former haunts for players once again.
However, Strong insists he has no excuse not to be up to speed with Scottish football – and has not ruled out going further afield for recommendations either.
"The world of football has become a lot smaller," he reasoned.
"We have systems like Wyscout and Scout7 where we can watch any game at any time, so it's much easier to watch Scottish football or Welsh football, and I can watch them all from home if I want to.
"I like going to games and getting around them, but there's nothing to stop you doing that from your desktop as well.
"There's no excuse not to be (up to speed).
"We'll look everywhere for players who fit the profile we want.
"Whoever we look at, the first two questions are going to be are they available, and are they affordable?
"That's the question for us, not anyone else, and if those questions are answered and they are, and they fit our profile, we will be interested.
"It has become easier to watch them – whether it's easier to get them signed is another matter. All we can do is our best."
Strong will continue assisting Morecambe this month, only adding to how busy his January will be.
Starting with County officially on January 1, his preparation time for the current transfer window was limited – but Strong says things never go to plan in January anyway.
"I left Morecambe at a really difficult time – their assistant manager had a heart attack – so I gave them my word that I would help them as well," he explained.
"My priority and my main focus is on Ross County, but I just felt that morally it was the right thing to do, so I have managed to get them two players in already.
"Here at Ross County, we're really happy with the work that we are doing.
"I don't really get a minute. It is what it is, and I enjoy what I do. It's busy but it's good.
"It's easier to do prep work in the summer window, because you know when contracts are ending. In January, it's more reactive in a lot of ways.
"Every January I've had lists going into the window, and you can guarantee that on day one when the window opens you can cross some players off right away – whether that's because someone else in their team has lost form, or picked up an injury, or whatever.
"It has happened again this window. I had a couple of top targets to go for all the way through December thinking they would definitely be available, and then last Saturday there were injuries and those players suddenly aren't available.
"You've just got to adapt and be on the phone constantly, because everything changes literally daily.
"Who knows what's going to happen tomorrow. People will come out of every game needing different players, or with different players being made available. It constantly changes."
