Malky Mackay is impressed with the high level of motivation within the Ross County squad he has assembled.
Mackay has made nine summer signings so far, with little more than a fortnight to go until the transfer deadline.
The Staggies boss has looked to a number of different markets in his recruitment, with Kyle Turner, Scott Allardice and Jay Henderson making the step up having been among the leading performers in the Championship last season.
Josh Reid and Eamonn Brophy are aiming to build on successful previous spells in Dingwall, while Max Sheaf is aiming to grasp his opportunity after being headhunted from Redditch United in the seventh-tier of English football.
The three most recent arrivals, Will Nightingale, James Brown and Ryan Leak, bring experience of the English football league.
In addition to players wh0 were already at the club, Mackay is pleased with the variety of options he has managed to assemble.
He said: “There are some hoping to prove themselves at a level up, and some coming up from England that want a fresh challenge.
“They all have their own reasons to do well for Ross County.
“We also have ones here who are looking for new contracts and ones here who are looking to see if they can gain international honours.
“A combination of all that, coupled with the fact they are a really good group, with a good culture here among them, means that on a Saturday they’re giving the Ross County badge everything they can.
“That’s the minimum I ask for.”
Leak slots into Staggies’ backline
Defender Leak made an impressive start to his County career, helping Mackay’s side to a clean sheet in their 2-0 victory over St Johnstone last weekend.
The Staggies boss felt Leak slotted seamlessly into his side following his move from Salford City, adding: “He has only been here a week. I’m delighted with him.
“We lost Alex Iacovitti and Keith Watson over the summer, two experienced players.
“Especially Alex, with that left foot, who had been an ever-present for me over the past couple of years.
“I’ve managed to get Will Nightingale who is 200 games deep in his career and a past captain.
“Ryan Leak has certainly played 100 games and a lot abroad as well.
“The fact he played 38 games for Salford last season showed – he is calm and commanding. He and Jack Baldwin were excellent against St Johnstone.
“I’m trying to get some men in the door with experience and leadership qualities that are not easy to find. We’ve found three or four this year, which I’m really pleased about.
“I’m really pleased with our recruitment this summer.”
Nightingale recovering from thigh issue
Fellow defender Nightingale missed the match with a thigh injury, however Mackay is confident the on-loan AFC Wimbledon player will be back in the reckoning within the next fortnight.
He added: “He picked up a little thigh strain through the week, but it is only going to be a couple of weeks. It is not something long-term.
“He was desperate to play, but if he plays and rips it he is out for 10 weeks.
“So it was ‘calm the jets’. We’ll be careful with him.
“We’ve got three really experienced guys in those central defensive roles and Ben Purrington is only a couple of weeks from returning.
“There starts to be an experienced look with the group of defenders there, which is something we’ve desperately needed for a period of time.”
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