Ross County: Derek Adams eyeing January signings

Gary Hooper celebrates as Grant Munro looks disconsolate

Derek Adams is looking to bolster his Ross County squad during January to keep his side clear of the relegation spot in the Scottish Premier League.

County's 4-0 defeat away to leaders Celtic means the Dingwall side have gone nine games without a victory.

"We know where we need to strengthen," the County manager said.

"It's being able to get the players that are going to come to Ross County on the money that we pay. That's the biggest issue we have."

County this week negotiated the release of midfielder Russell Duncan, defender John Bateson, forward Kurtis Byrne and goalkeeper Joe Malin.

And the departure of those fringe players has given Adams, who did not spend his full summer budget after promotion from Division One, more room to manoeuvre.

"We are looking to strengthen throughout the side," he told BBC Scotland. "I've released four players during the week and that's given us an avenue to take in extra players.

"We're looking at good standard players. Can we attract them to Ross County? We hope we can give them a platform to build a career on."

Adams looks disconsolate as his side slip to defeat at Celtic Park

County sit second bottom of the table, six points ahead of Dundee - the side they finished above in Division One last season.

"Half-way through the season, we're delighted with the progress that we've made," insisted Adams.

"As I keep on saying, we have taken a team from the village and we've put them on the map and we've taken them to the SPL and we want to stay there.

"And, if we can pick up more than the 18 points that we've done in the first half of the season, we'll be doing fine."

Adams bemoaned missed chances by Alex Cooper and former Celtic midfielder Rocco Quinn during a goalless first half at Celtic Park during which he was happy with his side's performance.

"You don't get many chances when you come to Celtic Park and, a team like Ross County, you have to take that opportunity," he said.

"We certainly had very good chances in the first half. Cooper is through, Rocco Quinn's through one-on-one on the goalkeeper.

"If we take that then it's a different story."

Adams admitted that Celtic manager Neil Lennon's tactics had caused his side problems.

"They've been playing 3-5-2 for a few weeks now and they changed today - they went four at the back - and we thought we'd go two up front and cause them problems," he explained.

"We had to change a wee bit after five or 10 minutes because they've gone to the four.

"Overall, I thought we did very well in the first half. We contained Celtic, we caused them problems.

"Second half, they've gone in at half-time, probably got a roasting from the manager and they've come out and scored within a minute."