Former striker Ross Stewart's success will boost profile at Ross County
Steven Ferguson says Ross Stewart’s success last season can help Ross County in the summer transfer window.
The 25-year-old was joint-top scorer in England’s League One as he helped Sunderland to promotion, and is currently part of the Scotland squad.
Staggies chief executive Ferguson says the striker’s association with the club should only make them a more attractive prospect for potential new recruits.
“Ross Stewart is a fantastic example of why young, hungry players have a fantastic opportunity when they come to Ross County,” Ferguson explained.
“We’re playing in the Premiership, we have a reputation for playing a part in people’s careers, and Ross is the latest to really grasped that opportunity.
“He excelled with us and we benefited from it. We won the Championship, we won the Irn-Bru Cup.
“We stayed in the Premiership while Ross was here, so for us it was a really positive period.
“Ross played a huge part in that, but we knew – as did Ross – that if opportunities came along then we would be 100 per cent supportive of Ross furthering his career.
“That’s what we did. Ross was grateful for that, and he has grasped the opportunity with Sunderland.”
All but two of Malky Mackay’s signings last season came from England, and with Stewart making waves south of the border County will only be in a stronger position this year.
“We have to make Ross County as attractive as we can, and Malky’s doing a fantastic job in raising our profile with his performances this season,” Ferguson added.
“Our profile is raised with stories like Ross Stewart. With the facilities we’ve got, the backing of the chairman, the Premiership stage, we’re making ourselves attractive outwith the Scottish market.
“We all fish in the same pond, and we need to think outside the box to have something that other clubs don’t. History tells you players can use Ross County to further their own careers.”