What next for Ross County as captain set to leave?
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ST JOHNSTONE are set to make an immediate cash bid for departing Ross County captain Richard Brittain if they lose a top performer in the January transfer window.
The Dingwall club were this week devastated to learn that Brittain had signed a pre-contract agreement to join the Perth side in the summer.
Saints’ boss Steve Lomas, however, faces the possibility of losing two top class midfielders of his own with both Liam Craig and Murray Davidson entertaining strong interest.
Third Division Rangers are keen to capture Scotland cap Davidson, while Hibernian have been heavily linked with Craig.
Like Brittain, both could sign pre-contract deals with those clubs and move in the summer — or be shipped out this month in a cash agreement.
The Ross-shire Journal understands that if one or both of those McDiarmid Park players departs in the current window, St Johnstone will test County’s resolve with a bid.
Sources close to the Perth club say they are keen to offer 25-year-old midfielder Kevin Moon as a sweetener to any Brittain deal in January.
Perth-born Moon won a new 18-month contract from Lomas a year ago after recovering from cruciate ligament damage.
Brittain’s decision to end what, come June, would be a five-year stay at Victoria Park was a bolt from the blue for County and a real sickener for supporters.
The 29-year-old, who joined in summer 2008 after release from St Mirren, skippered the club to major success including a Scottish Cup final appearance, a Challenge Cup triumph and the First Division title.
His dead ball strikes and goals from open play have tended to be vital this season, not least a spectacular free-kick to take the lead against Celtic in early August.
If Brittain stays until June, manager Derek Adams faces a decision on whether to retain him as captain or install vice-skipper Scott Boyd in the role.
Neither Adams nor director of football George Adams were available for comment yesterday.
Adams jnr, though, has already said he views this month’s manoeuvres on the transfer front as crucial to the season’s prospects after a solid start to SPL life.
While the manager would be eager to retain Brittain for the final months of his contract, the club may be tempted to cash-in if other targets become obtainable.
Morton’s attacking midfielder Michael Tidser, 22, is thought to be a prime focus although he is also said to be courting English Championship interest.
Andre Hainault, an MLS star with Canadian club Houston Dynamo, will train with County this month.
The 6ft defender from Montreal’s trial stint in Dingwall was reported on Houston’s own club website.
Hainault, 26, holds 32 caps for his country and has already shown an appetite for playing abroad in spells with Czech Republic sides Sparta Prague and Banik Most.
Houston president Chris Cannetti was quoted as saying he was resigned to losing Hainault after three seasons.
It is not known whether Hainault will accompany County on a winter break to Malaga today (Friday).
The four-day trip to Spain was hastily-arranged last week.
Earlier this week, George Adams explained: “We are taking the first team to Malaga from Friday until Monday.
“It will be a good change of scene for the players and a beneficial rest.
“They have done magnificently well in the first half of the campaign and this is a wee reward for them.”
It is understood Norwegian veteran full-back Hans Age Yndestad did spend time on trial at County but has, for now at least, returned to his homeland.
Hibs’ explosively-paced forward Ivan Sproule has also been linked with an 18-month deal at County.
The club are remaining tight-lipped about transfer and other matters, but Adams snr stressed: “We are tight as a squad now and of course we are looking to bring in new faces.
“We’re working hard on that and making progress. I’m hopeful we can get folk in soon.”
