Ross County: McIntyre targets points for Highland side
Last updated on .From the section Football
Jim McIntyre insists his first target as the new manager at Ross County is to steer the club back on track in the Scottish Premiership.
Derek Adams was sacked as manager late in August, with the Staggies currently without a point having played five league matches this season.
"Our first job is to make sure we get points on board and get going," said McIntyre.
"We know we have a challenge here, but I also know there's good players here."
McIntyre, 42, leaves behind a Queen of the South side currently fourth in the Scottish Championship table, but was persuaded to take the Dingwall job by County chairman Roy MacGregor.
| Ross County manager Jim McIntyre |
|---|
| "The bottom line is, we're sitting with no points after five game - we've got to get points on the board" |
"I just felt an instant rapport, and I think you've got to feel that," said McIntyre. "You've got to have an instant connection.
"They're obviously a Premier League side and you want to manage at the highest level in your country.
"I think Roy felt the same - he saw hunger in my eyes and I was keen to do well and it went really well.
"There's so many similarities to the club I've just left, who are a fantastic club and a fantastic board, and I had that feeling with Roy.
"That's important, that you know you're going to get backed and also get left alone to manage."
McIntyre's appointment was announced on the Queen of the South website before County had the chance to unveil their new manager.
Along with assistant manager Billy Dodds, he has agreed a one-year rolling contract, and his long-term ambition is to maintain the Highland club's top-flight status.
| Ross County's season so far (*cup match) | |
|---|---|
| Ross County 1-2 St Johnstone | Partick Thistle 4-0 Ross County |
| Ross County 1-2 Kilmarnock | Dundee United 2-1 Ross County |
| Stranraer 1-2 Ross County* | Hamilton 4-0 Ross County |
"The bottom line is, we're sitting with no points after five games," said McIntyre. "We've got to get points on the board.
"It's difficult, because it's a difficult league, but that's why we're here and that's the challenge we've taken on board.
"The season goal is to maintain the Premiership status."
County chairman Roy McGregor said they the club is looking forward to the start of a new era and insists his the new manager has the qualities they need at this point.
"He's got ambition, he's got desire," said McGregor. "He's got passion. He's on a route map of where he is going.
"Probably to a higher level and this is a good ground for him to come, a good ground for him to manage and a nice place to be.
"We're just looking forward to the start of a new era."
