All Change In The Break

Last updated : 31 July 2015 By ed_ScottishFitba

C:WindowsTempphpAB54.tmpRoss County start their Scottish Premiership campaign away to Celtic – and will do so with 13 summer new players on their books. Manager Jim McIntyre has had to oversee a squad overhaul after 14 players left the club at the end of last season. One of those released was club captain Richard Brittain, who has taken over as player/manager of Highland League side Brora Rangers, with new recruit Andrew Davies being handed the captain's armband. The former Bradford City defender started his career with Middlesbrough and said learning from the likes of Gareth Southgate will stand him in good stead as he starts a new chapter of his career in Dingwall.

Davies said: "I was at Bradford for four years and just felt like I needed a new challenge. It has always interested me coming to Scotland to play. It is a fantastic league. I’ve played in all four divisions in the English league and, no disrespect to League One and Two, but I felt like I was ready for a new challenge and a better challenge. Gareth Southgate was a massive name because with him being captain I learned a lot from him, he was a fantastic professional, what he did on and off the pitch. I’ve learned from a lot of good players through my career and I like to think that is why I am where I am now, from learning from players like that."

Ross County have added the likes of Ian McShane (Queen of the South), goalkeeper Scott Fox (Partick Thistle), Brian Graham and Michael Gardyne (both Dundee United) and Richard Foster (Rangers) to the squad over the summer, giving McIntyre real strength in depth. Jackson Irvine is more familiar to Dingwall, however, and has made his move to Victoria Park permanent after spending last season on loan from Celtic. He thinks an opening tie away to the champions and his former club can be a positive for County, who are embarking on their fourth successive season in Premiership. Irvine said: "You could look at it as a blessing or a curse to be playing Celtic at Celtic Park on the first day of the season; I think it is a perfect opportunity to test yourself. The biggest thing this season is to pick up where we left off. From February to the end of the season we picked up 33 points from 42, I think it was, and I think the biggest thing is to get off to a good start this year and not leave it so late."