Ross County midfielder Ryan Dow is aiming to make the most of a fresh start with the Staggies.
Dow recently signed a new one-year contract to remain at Victoria Park for the forthcoming season, following the club’s relegation to the Championship.
The 27-year-old joined County from Dundee United in 2016 under Jim McIntyre, however Dow was left frustrated as opportunities dried up following the appointment of Owen Coyle last September.
After being offered a lifeline by Staggies’ co-managers Steven Ferguson and Stuart Kettlewell, Dow is eagerly anticipating the new campaign.
Dow said: “At the end of the season, there were meetings that had to go on. With the club going down there was a wee bit of uncertainty for a lot of boys. But once I spoke to the manager after a few weeks and heard their vision going forward I was on board. When you see the players they’re bringing in, it’s hard not to get excited.
“A lot of the boys were happy to sign just because of the ambition of the club. In my first season here I had a niggling injury and last season was a bit stop-start. I started pre-season well and was in the team.
“Then I fell away and a new manager came in. I never really kicked a ball after that, which is tough. Last year was a season, really, of doing nothing. You get substitute appearances here and there but you’re never going to get momentum going knowing you’re not in their plans.
“Hopefully I can start this pre-season well and kick on from there, but I’m sure there are 20 other boys looking to do that as well.”
Dow is one of a number of players who have opted to remain at Dingwall, while eight new players have been drafted in, and Dow has been impressed by the intent shown by Ferguson and Kettlewell after suffering the drop.
He added: “I spoke to the managers and obviously us going down last year was a disappointment, but I think with the squad we’ve assembled over the summer we can go and challenge for the league.
“That has given everyone a buzz coming back. There’s a real high about the place. With the boys we’ve signed and the management’s ideas, I wanted to be part of it. It is suiting this group of players down to the ground and hopefully we can push on and have a good start to the season.”
