Grant Munro feels ‘time is right’ to step aside

Grant Munro: Hanging up boots. Picture: SNS

The 33-year-old former Inverness favourite insisted it was his choice to quit Ross County and end a proud 16-year full-time career in the Highlands.

Munro dismissed speculation of a fall-out with manager Derek Adams, but admitted he knew his time at the top end of the Scottish game was up. The central defender, who made well over 400 appearances for the big two in the north, had found himself in the firing line in recent weeks.

He was dropped for the last two matches after a 4-2 home defeat by Dundee United, one of several poor showings in County’s erratic start to the campaign. Yet last season had been arguably one of the very best of his career as he forged a formidable partnership with County’s Scott Boyd.

Having already earmarked next summer as his likely exit, though, Inverness-born Munro decided it was time to bite the bullet and look to the future. He explained: “I approached the manager and said I felt my time at the club was up. And fair play, he didn’t stand in my way. I have to thank him and George [Adams, director of football] for that. They could easily have said ‘no’. I’m leaving them in the lurch a bit with the transfer window not opening until January, but Derek said he wouldn’t stand in my way if that was how I felt.

“There was no fall-out. People will want to read that into it, but there was no problem. It was my decision. It has always been in my mind what I’m going to do next after football and I came to the conclusion it was time to go now.

“There was always a chance this would be my last season at this level, anyway. Going now gives me a few months’ head start, rather than be scrambling about for something come next summer. I’ll just see what’s out there. I’ve got thoughts on what I want to do.

“My wife and I have another kid coming in December, so it’s all the more important I make the right decision. Whatever I choose to do now is for the next 25-30 years, so it’s got to be right for myself and my family.”

Munro’s phone has already been red-hot since making his decision public, disclosing he has had interest from “one or two” full-time clubs, but believes his future lies in part-time football and full-time employment outside the game.