Ross County season preview: Not another fine mess for the Staggies

Double acts are normally associated with comedy.

But Ross County’s dugout duo last season left all-comers in tears of defeat rather than mirth as their side cruised to the Championship title.

Steven Ferguson and Stuart Kettlewell’s joint approach to management is unusual.

However, Laurel and Hardy it ain’t.

Backed by Staggies owner Roy MacGregor, they built a team that escaped Scotland’s notoriously tough second tier at the first time of asking.

It’s a feat that shouldn’t be underestimated.

But the Premiership is a different beast.

When it comes to tackling it, Ferguson and Kettlewell will hope that two heads are better than one.

Transfers

In: Blair Spittal, Ross Laidlaw, Joe Chalmers, Jack Ruddy, Lee Erwin.

Out: Greg Morrison, Callum Semple, Scott Fox, Russell Dingwall, Jamie Lindsay.

Despite spending last season in the Championship, the Staggies have a squad full to the brim with Premiership experience.

The spine of their side has hundreds of top-level appearances between them.

Their new recruits aren’t quite as tried and tested, but they are far from naive.

Blair Spittal has seen Premiership action with Dundee United – albeit in a team that ended up being relegated – while goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw has played for Hibs in the top flight.

Joe Chalmers, who was snapped up from Highland rivals Inverness Caley Thistle, has also racked up big-stage appearances for Motherwell, and looks more than ready to return to there.

Target

Premiership consolidation would probably satisfy in County’s first season back up.

But thoughts of scrapping their way to a 10th-placed finish won’t be the height of the Highlanders’ ambitions.

Given their financial resources, their depth of experience and their dynamic managerial duo, there is no reason why they shouldn’t look to squeeze into the top six.

Whether they will have the staying power over the course of a season remains to be seen.

But “aim high” should be their mantra.