Skip to content

Ross County prepare for SPFL Premiership opener at Celtic

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Ross County have signed 13 new players this summer and will look to establish themselves within the SPFL Premiership for the fourth consecutive year

Ross County have been handed the daunting task of an away trip to champions Celtic as they kick off their Scottish Premiership campaign on Saturday – and they will travel to Glasgow with 13 summer additions.

Manager Jim McIntyre has had to oversee a squad overhaul after 14 players departed at the end of last season.

One of those released was club captain Richard Brittain, who has taken over as player/manager of Highland League side Brora Rangers, with new recruit Andrew Davies being handed the armband.

The former Bradford City defender started his career with Middlesbrough and said learning from the likes of Gareth Southgate will stand him in good stead as he starts a new chapter of his career in Dingwall.

Davies told Sky Sports News HQ: "I was at Bradford for four years and just felt like I needed a new challenge. It has always interested me coming to Scotland to play. It is a fantastic league.

Image: Andrew Davies is the new captain of Ross County

"I’ve played in all four divisions in the English league and, no disrespect to League One and Two, but I felt like I was ready for a new challenge and a better challenge.

"Gareth Southgate was a massive name because with him being captain I learned a lot from him, he was a fantastic professional, what he did on and off the pitch.

Also See:

Jim McIntyre
Image: Manager Jim McIntyre has brought in 13 new players at Ross County

"I’ve learned from a lot of good players through my career and I like to think that is why I am where I am now, from learning from players like that."

Ross County have added the likes of Ian McShane from Queen of the South, goalkeeper Scott Fox from Partick Thistle, Brian Graham and Michael Gardyne from Dundee United and Richard Foster from Rangers to the squad over the summer, giving McIntyre real strength in depth.

Jackson Irvine is more familiar to Dingwall, however, and has made his move to Victoria Park permanent after spending last season on loan from Celtic.

Jackson Irvine: Ross County midfielder
Image: Jackson Irvine has moved to Ross County on a permanent deal

He thinks an opening tie away to the champions and his former club can be a positive for County, who are embarking on their fourth successive season in Premiership.

Irvine said: "You could look at it as a blessing or a curse to be playing Celtic at Celtic Park on the first day of the season; I think it is a perfect opportunity to test yourself.

"The biggest thing this season is to pick up where we left off. From February to the end of the season we picked up 33 points from 42, I think it was, and I think the biggest thing is to get off to a good start this year and not leave it so late."

Live SPFL Football

Watch Celtic v Ross County live on Sky Sports 1 from noon on Saturday, August 1 and Dundee United v Aberdeen also live on Sky Sports 1 from 3pm on Sunday, August 2.

Around Sky