No fall-out with striker, says Adams

DEREK Adams yesterday insisted he had dropped Dundee United-bound Michael Gardyne for football reasons only. The nine-goal attacker, who has agreed a pre-contract move to Tannadice this summer, was conspicuous by his absence in Ross County’s draws away to St Mirren and Raith, leading to speculation of a fall-out between player and manager.

Adams, though, pointed only to reasons of form and strategy in sidelining both Gardyne and fellow ex-Celt Rocco Quinn.

The County manager said: “It’s unfortunate for both players that they missed out again this week. The players who have come in, Mark Corcoran and Steven Craig, have done well. We adopted a different formation against St Mirren. Corcoran and Craig came into those positions and they were excellent. Gardyne and Quinn have just got to take it on the chin.”

Midfielder Stuart Kettlewell will miss the Saints’ visit with ligament damage.

St Mirren have a clean bill of health and manager Danny Lennon is ready for a tough game in Dingwall. “Nobody fancies an away tie against Ross County in the cup,” he said, “but we are ready for the challenge and I think it will be another exciting game.”