Targets closing in on Staggies deal
ROSS County look close to adding the defenders manager Derek Adams has been seeking ahead of the club’s maiden season in the Clydesdale Bank SPL.
Mihael Kovacevic, who won the Scottish Cup with Dundee United against Ross County in 2010, impressed in Tuesday night’s 0-0 pre-season draw at Highland League side Nairn County at the heart of the defence for 65 minutes.
The same could be said for ex-Bradford City and Exeter City left-back Luke O’Brien, who played the majority of the game at Station Park.
Boss Derek Adams has also not ruled out capturing former Blackburn Rovers full-back Jonathan Bateson after he impressed in two matches last week, although offers in England could make the difference to the 22-year-old.
Adams watched SPL opening day opponents Motherwell draw 1-1 at Raith Rovers on Tuesday – the same result County left Kirkcaldy with seven days previously.
As well as the defensive trialists, forward Mark Wright and midfielder Jordan Davies came off the bench and fared well.
Adams handed the management duties over to assistant boss Stuart Balmer and first-team coach Stevie Ferguson on Tuesday.
Balmer hinted that those players trying to win deals at Dingwall could well have moved one step closer after impressing.
He said: “I thought the trialists acquitted themselves very well. They gave everything they had. It’s not easy for them when the manager’s not here, but all credit to them. I’ll report back to the manager. They have also been training with the first-team through the week and that gives us an idea about how they are faring. It’s not easy for trialists coming in and trying to impress, but they acquitted themselves very well.
“You look at Mihael Kovacevic, he’s a fit lad and he pushed himself forward and did well.
“The manager gave us a plan to give him around 65 minutes and he was fine.”
Adams believes a player with the quality of Kovacevic could be valuable to County if he were to sign for the club.
He said: “Mihael is with us for the week.
“If it all goes to plan, he would be a very good option for us. He’s a player with very good experience at just 24 years of age, having played at Dundee United and abroad. He can play as a centre half or at right-back, so he’d provide good cover.”
The Victoria Park manager remains hopeful that Bateson could yet return to try and seal a deal in Dingwall.
He explained: “Jonathan has options down south, but that move is not dead yet. There’s still a chance he could come here. I thought he played well against Raith Rovers and Clach. He was accomplished, he passed the ball well, but we do face competition for him in England.
“He’s going to think things over and we’ll see how that develops.”
