Emotional farewells in Dingwall as manager moves south after three years of success

In a surprise move, Colin Calderwood has ended his search for an assistant by recruiting Adams following a three-year stay in Dingwall. Calderwood has been scouring north and south of the border for an experienced right-hand man, given his own admission that he is lacking in knowledge of Scottish football after an entire career spent in England.

Adams, 35, was among the names on his lengthy list and, after the pair met in an Edinburgh hotel last week, talks quickly progressed before a deal was finalised yesterday morning. There is no connection between the pair, Adams confessing it was all "out of the blue". Given Adams took his First Division side to the Scottish Cup final last season, and has built a strong reputation in his first spell in management, these were qualities that stood out for Calderwood.

The former Aberdeen, Motherwell and Livingston midfielder also quickly earned County promotion to the First in 2008 and has taken the club to two Challenge Cup finals.

Adams had previously been linked with management jobs in the SPL and was among the contenders to replace John Hughes before Calderwood won the race last month.

It could be interpreted that he is stepping down to an assistant role, but he insists he is only going up in the world.

He said: "It won't be difficult at all coming from being a manager to a No 2. It's a progression in my career and I just look forward to that.

"There is no connection between myself and Colin, it's out of the blue, but we spoke at length. From my point of view, I'm looking forward to working with a manager very experienced from his time in England."

But Adams admits turning his back on the Highlands was no easy task, especially as his father George remains director of football at Victoria Park.

Former Inverness and Dundee United manager Craig Brewster, Adams' assistant, will take the dug-out reins in the meantime, following an emotional morning yesterday.

Adams, who will relocate to near Edinburgh, added: "I said my goodbyes at the back of 10 yesterday morning. It was an emotional day. I've had three fantastic years there as a manager. It worked well, we won promotion, got to three cup finals. I couldn't have asked for any more."

Adams will start work today at Hibs' East Mains training base but will be consigned to the stand for tomorrow's home league meeting with Motherwell.

He has one game left of a six-match touchline suspension to run and has lodged an appeal against a further ban imposed for "excessive misconduct".

"It was a delightful result at Rangers on Wednesday.I was delighted for the manager and the players and I look forward to the weekend," he said.

Ross County could move to appoint a new manager by as early as the middle of next week. Chairman Roy MacGregor said: "Craig Brewster will be in charge for Saturday's game against Dundee and we're going to advertise the post shortly. I'll look back at a time when Derek gave so much to the club and the club gave so much to him. But in football you have to move on and this is day one of another era. By Monday or Tuesday we'll probably begin interviewing for a new manager."