Jim McIntyre is confident Ross County can reap the dividends of their pre-season efforts as they prepare for their fourth season in Scotland's top flight. County have been at a training camp in Budapest, where they drew one and lost one pre-season game against lower league opposition, before drawing 1-1 with League One side Blackpool in Stirling earlier this week. Fans will be able to catch a sight of how the new-look side is shaping up when they face NEC Nijmegen at Dingwall on Saturday in their final warm-up game before the season's opener at Celtic Park on 1 August.
Manager McIntyre said: "The trip to Hungary was excellent. It was everything we hoped it would be. The conditions were perfect, 30 degrees plus every day, the players all worked their socks off and the standard of opposition in the friendlies was good too so we were very happy. Having seen a big turnover of players in the summer it was good to get away for a week as a group. The players got a chance to gel and get to know each other both on and off the pitch so the trip was good from that perspective too. Now we are looking forward to Saturday and facing top Dutch opposition at the Global Energy Stadium. It will be a tough game but a great opportunity for the fans to see some of the new signings for the first time."
Striker Brian Graham, who spent last season on loan at St Johnstone form Dundee United, is looking forward to his first season in County colours. He said: "Pre-season has been hard but it’s been a good three-and-half weeks so far. Everyone is very fit as the training has been high intensity. Everyone is looking sharp and there are no injuries so we are all raring to go for the start of the season at Celtic Park next week. Before that we have NEC Nijmegen in Dingwall who will be difficult opposition but all the lads, and especially the new signings, can’t wait to get their first game in front of our home support and hopefully it will be a big crowd on Saturday."