Declan McManus has unfinished business with the Premiership and is targeting an immediate return to the top-flight with Ross County.
Former Aberdeen youngster McManus gained limited game-time with the Dons, making 13 appearances in four seasons, before electing to prove his worth lower down the ladder and work his way back to the top.
He was prolific in two loan spells at Morton which earned him a move to Fleetwood Town in 2015, but again regular action eluded him. McManus was loaned out to Morton again and then Raith Rovers, before finally sealing a permanent switch to Dunfermline last season.
Thirteen goals in 44 games for a promising Dunfermline side last season give hope he can net regularly for the Staggies as they plot a way back to the top-tier.
McManus said: “I had a wee taste with Aberdeen but nothing consistent. I was young and doing well for the youth teams but I can’t really complain – when Derek McInnes came in we were winning a lot of games and won the League Cup. I was stuck between a rock and a hard place.
“The boys in front of me had experience and it was tough, so I felt I had to go elsewhere and work my back up again. It’s a common thing in football that people sometimes don’t quite it make it at their parent clubs, so try a bit lower and work their way back. Sometimes it’s the best way to do it. Hopefully it happens at the end of this season and I can get my crack at the Premiership again. I want to fire the club back into the Premiership.”
McManus was available on a free transfer at the end of his contract at East End Park and it was a difficult decision for the striker to turn his back on the Pars.
However, he felt his career aspirations were better met by joining Steven Ferguson and Stuart Kettlewell’s squad for their first Championship season in six years.
He added: “It’s a club that’s got big aspirations. People might not see the Highland clubs as big clubs but they have always done really well. The chairman and managers have got big hopes for this club and there’s a great setup here.
“I’ve moved around a bit and tried to do well everywhere I went. I loved every minute at Dunfermline – the fans took to me straight away and I had a good season. It wasn’t easy to walk away from but I felt to better myself, I had to take this opportunity.”
