Kettlewell wants two more arrivals at Dingwall before Ross County start the Premiership season
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It has already been a busy summer in the transfer market for Ross County, but manager Stuart Kettlewell would ideally like to bring in two more faces.
Midfielder Regan Charles-Cook became County’s fourth summer signing earlier this week, joining Stephen Kelly, Connor Randall and Alex Iacovitti as new faces at the Global Energy Stadium.
After the departures of Lewis Spence, Richard Foster, Sean Kelly and Marcus Fraser – as well as the retirement of Don Cowie to join the coaching staff full time – they have brought the Staggies squad back up to a similar size to last season.
However, Kettlewell is still looking for additions, and is targeting another goalkeeper and a left back before the season starts on August 1.
“We are looking for two more,” Kettlewell explained.
“We have an injury to Ross Munro, who was at Raith Rovers last season, so have Ross Laidlaw and a young 16-year-old in goal.
“We need to add a bit of strength and competition into that area for the start of the season, and we have been active at identifying the ones we want but it has been a slightly longer process.
“We have lost a couple of full-backs and there is still a void at left-back which we are trying to fill too.
“It is not a secret – I am not throwing anyone under the bus – but it is a fact that we conceded the most goals in the Premier League last season.
“For me, to sit and say we are not looking to improve on that front would be naïve, we are looking to see if we can close the back door.
“I am not creating a drama out of what happened last season but it needs to be improved in terms of a team and not just the defence and goalkeeper.”
Kettlewell had been hoping that Ross Munro would make up part of the first team squad next season, but with the 20-year-old stopper picking up a knee injury in training that has forced Kettlewell to look for more cover.
All four of his signings so far have already started training though, and the County boss likes what he has seen.
Charles-Cook, the newest addition, has even left his mark in his new surroundings off the pitch as well as on it.
“Charles is one that’s exciting for us,” Kettlewell said.
“He brings something a little bit different, with a versatility in playing in those forward areas and wide positions.
“At 23 years old, he looks as if he has the best of his career ahead of him.
“He has decent pedigree and he is an absolutely brilliant lad as well. We’ve spent the last couple of days with him and he’s just a breath of fresh air.
“He wants to become a footballer who is relied on every single week. Just his approach to the staff and his team-mates so far has been terrific.
“I happen to believe that’s a massive part of what happens at a football club. If you have an ego there, someone who is pretty temperamental, and wants to do things their way not our way, it creates real boundaries.”
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