Ross County manager Stuart Kettlewell considering sending out Nairn born goalkeeper Ross Munro on loan
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Ross County manager Stuart Kettlewell says they will consider sending out Ross Munro on loan once again.
The 20-year-old goalkeeper is third choice right now at the Global Energy Stadium behind Ross Laidlaw and Ross Doohan, who arrived in Dingwall on loan from Celtic on the eve of County’s Premiership opener against Motherwell.
Munro served as backup to Scott Fox when the Staggies won the Championship two seasons ago, and could claim a treble of sorts as he claimed a Championship winners medal, as well as starting every game on the way to lifting the Irn-Bru Cup and North of Scotland Cup.
Last season the priority for his development was to get him minutes, and a successful loan spell at Raith Rovers saw him play a key role in the side that earned promotion from League One to the Championship, making 22 appearances in all competitions.
The stopper is highly-rated, getting called up to the Scotland under-21s squad at 18-years-old, so Kettlewell says another loan is an option again this season.
“It might well be the plan to loan him out,” Kettlewell explained.
“I spoke to Ross last week, he’s had a couple of injuries over pre-season, so it’s only now that he’s really getting back up to full fitness and in to a consistent way of training again.
“He’s loving it here, he really enjoys working with Scott Thomson, our goalkeeping coach, who is exceptional.
“We may well look when things open up to see if there’s another opportunity to get him out on loan, but we don’t know where we will sit at that point.
“You’re always guarding against any potential injuries, but I’ve got a huge trust in Ross.”
At such a young age, Munro has plenty of time to develop and improve to reach his full potential over the coming years.
Kettlewell knows first-hand how far Munro can go, as the two worked together in the Staggies’ Development League-winning squad three years ago.
With a background in youth development, Kettlewell is perfectly placed to judge what the next step should be for Munro.
That is likely to be whatever scenario will see the youngster get on the pitch for the most amount of time, which would suggest a short-term move away, but Munro long-term future is very much in Dingwall.
“I brought him in full time to work with our development squad, so I know him inside out,” Kettlewell insisted.
“There’s still a plan of action for him in where he will go over the next couple of years of his development to get him as many games of football as possible.
“That’s the key thing for a goalkeeper, they don’t improve sitting on the bench.
“We’ll have a look at that situation, but Ross is a good kid, he’s a good lad and he’s got a desire to play football. He’s still firmly a part of what we’re doing here.”
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