Adams signs deal to stay at Ross County until 2016

ROSS County manager Derek Adams has extended his contract until the summer of 2016.

Derek Adams: 'Success built on ethos'. Picture: SNS

Adams, who was linked with the Aberdeen job before Derek McInnes replaced Craig Brown, has led the Dingwall club to a fifth-placed finish in their first season in the top flight.

The former Motherwell and Aberdeen player, who began his playing career at County, also guided them to the Scottish Cup final in 2010, where they lost to Dundee United.

Adams told Ross County’s official website last night: “I am delighted to extend my stay at Ross County Football Club.”

The 37-year-old is in his second spell at County following a short stint as assistant manager to Colin Calderwood at Hibs. He added: “We are one of the few clubs in Scotland with access to quality training facilities right here at the stadium, and having started my tenure in the Second Division we have been able to build not only a team and a squad but also a culture at the football club.

“Our successes have been built on this ethos, and I think this shows what can be achieved by building a team spirit and putting the players at the heart of the football club.

“I am under no illusions as to the challenges that lie ahead in the coming seasons, but both I and my players relish them and I am delighted to be preparing for them with the added stability this extension to my contract gives us.”

County chairman Roy MacGregor gave his manager a ringing endorsement. “Derek’s CV is an amazing read – he’s brought this club not only the greatest period in it’s long history, but I think probably greater success than many could ever have imagined for us,” he said.

“Of course it is right that I highlight the First and Second Division titles and two Challenge Cups that he has brought to Dingwall, as well as a top-six finish in our debut season in the SPL and a Scottish Cup final appearance, but even these amazing achievements don’t tell the full story.

“What Derek has brought to this club more than anything is an ethos and a sense of belief and indeed purpose.

“He is one of the most focused and driven people I have ever met, and his vision of what this football club could and should achieve has been at the very centre of everything that Ross County have achieved during his tenure as manager.

“His dedication and attention to detail is what has enabled Derek to lead this club forwards on and off the park.

“I have spoken many times of the value of the inspirational leadership Derek has provided at the club and this extended contract now gives us a period of stability as we look to build on the success he has brought to the club.”

The new deal comes after ten players extended their contracts this week – Michael Fraser, Mihael Kovacevic, Grant Munro, Branislav Micic, Stuart Kettlewell, Rocco Quinn, Alex Cooper, Gary Glen, Steven Ross and Scott Boyd.