JIM McINTYRE, the Ross County manager, believes the signing on loan of former Scotland internationalist David Goodwillie underlines the Dingwall club’s growing status.
Goodwillie’s services have been secured until the end of the season when his contract with Aberdeen is due to expire and McIntyre sees it as both an indication of County’s ambition and an opportunity for the striker to resurrect his career at the age of 26.
He said: “The fact he has played for Scotland shows what he is capable of, and I think it’s fabulous for us as a club that we can attract a player of his calibre.
“A couple of years ago I don’t think you would have seen him come to Ross County, so that tells you we are doing a lot of things well, in how people perceive our club now.”
McIntyre and his assistant Billy Dodds have transformed County’s fortunes in the course of 17 months, to the extent the team currently sits fourth in the SPFL following a miraculous escape from relegation.
County will also contest their first League Cup final next month, after destroying Celtic’s hopes of landing a domestic treble, and are through to the fifth round of the Scottish Cup.
While some may question the wisdom of signing Goodwillie, given his reputation following several well-documented incidents unrelated to football, McIntyre is unconcerned.
“It’s a chance for David to get himself back on track and he will certainly get an opportunity at some stage,” said McIntyre. “The rest is up to him.
“Goodie is somebody I know really well. He was a kid coming through at United when I was there and the one thing that always stood out when he joined in training was his goals.
“He used to just bang them in for fun, but obviously he’s found them, and regular football, harder to come by at Aberdeen because of the strength of their squad.
“But we feel he’ll be a very good addition. He’s strong as an ox and puts himself about. He’s also got that football intelligence we like in our strikers.”
Goodwillie, a first-team debutant for Dundee United at the age of 16 before a £2m switch to Blackburn Rovers, revealed that he used to clean McIntyre’s boots.
He added: “When I was asked the question, I jumped at this move because it’s perfect for me. I am cup-tied, but if I can play as many games as possible in the league I would be happy with that.”
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